Man Makes Bomb Threat on Plane Because He Didn't Like His Seat

Hundreds of passengers on a Norwegian Air flight at Orlando International Airport (MCO) were forced to deplane Sunday night after a male flyer made a hoax bomb threat because he was upset about his seat.

According to the Orlando Police Department, fellow passengers on the plane bound for London overhead the unidentified man make a comment about a bomb because he was unhappy about his seat. Police responded to a call from the plane's gate (87 at MCO) just as the flight was preparing to close its doors and pull away from the gate.

All 333 passengers and 12 crew members were asked to deplane while officials searched the plane for an explosive device. Authorities say nothing suspicious was found, and passengers were allowed back on for a delayed takeoff to London. The incident began at about 5:52pm and the plane finally took off at 8:35pm, airport officials say.

The man who made the threat was questioned by police and handed over to the FBI for further investigation. Two other passengers were also questioned by law enforcement. It's not clear if the man was allowed to re-board the plane with the rest of the passengers.

A similar — but far more dramatic — situation occurred on board a United flight. A male passenger who was running late for his flight decided to call in a hoax bomb threat to delay his plane from Cincinnati to Dallas in October 2017. On Thursday, that man was sentenced to four months in prison, three months probation and forced to pay a $7,700 fine as restitution to United.

H/T: Orlando Sentinel

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