LOUISVILLE — A United Airlines flight to Louisville has become infamous after videos of a man being dragged from his seat to make room for airline employees went viral on Sunday evening.
Louisville resident Audra Bridges posted a video which shows three security officers speaking to an unidentified passenger on United Express Flight 3411, which hadn't left O'Hare International Airport in Chicago yet. Then, one of the men grabs the passenger, who screams as he is yanked out of his seat and pulled down the aisle. That clip, as well as other videos from the flight, were posted on social media and racked up millions of views Monday as the story made national headlines.
Bridges said United offered passengers on Sunday's flight up to $800 in compensation if they agreed to take a different plane to Louisville. After they boarded the flight, passengers were told that four people would be selected to leave since no one volunteered.
The man in the video was one of the four chosen because they had purchased the cheapest flights on the plane.
He became "very upset" and said he was a doctor who needed to meet with patients the next morning. When he did not leave willingly, security officers came and he was forcibly removed from the plane.
United spokeswoman Erin Benson said four crew members needed seats on the plane so they could catch another flight in Louisville. If they weren't able to get to Louisville, Benson said there could have been a "domino effect" that impacted other.
Airlines usually request volunteers who are OK with taking a new flight in return for compensation and will keep upping their offers if necessary until enough people take the deal. If still need more people to give up their seat, the company can determine who must leave but typically makes that decision before passengers board the plane.
The situation did not escalate into violence until three security people attempted to pull the doctor off the aircraft. The man resisted at first but then appeared to be unconscious as he was pulled off the aircraft.
About 10 minutes after the doctor was dragged down the aisle, everyone was ordered to leave the aircraft, so blood could be cleaned out of it. About 45 minutes to an hour later passengers were allowed to reboard.
Passengers on United Express Flight 3411 will get a refund, United Airlines said Wednesday.
United has faced a fierce firestorm of criticism to the incident, which has remained a top story in the United States, China and across the globe.
On Thursday Crystal Pepper, the daughter of David Dao, the Kentucky physician who was recorded being dragged while screaming and bleeding, held a news conference alongside her father's attorneys.
She explained that her father, 69, suffered a concussion, broken nose and damaged sinuses and lost two front teeth when he was dragged off the flight Sunday.
Lawyer Thomas Demetrio added Dao has been released from the hospital and is staying in a "secure" location.
A lawsuit will be filed at some point and a hearing on preserving evidence is set for Monday in Chicago.
First video from Business Insider
