Delta Air Lines Flight 420 from Dallas to New York swung to Atlanta Thursday after a pair of travelers caused a disturbance. One had a lighter.
The flight took off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport at 12:30 p.m. and landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport three hours later, according to FlightAware.
The two in question got into a fight, according to Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA-TV. On board were 92 passengers, two pilots and three flight attendants.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and will work with law enforcement authorities to that end. We appreciate the civility and understanding of the remainder of our Dallas to New York customers and apologize for the delay in their travels,” Delta said in a statement to the TV station.
Although one of the disruptive passengers had a lighter, no fires were started, FBI Atlanta told Fox News Digital.
The FBI didn’t name the two in question or say whether they face charges. The passenger with the lighter was taken to the hospital for evaluation after the plane landed, reported ABC’s WSB-TV.
Other travelers wondered why one of the passengers was able to get on the plane with a lighter.
“You wonder how they got through TSA. A lighter is a very dangerous thing. I’m glad they at least addressed it. People just don’t realize flames and airplanes don’t get along,” traveler Doug Puza told WSB.
Transportation Security Administration regulations say that while lighters with liquid fuel that don’t have an absorbent lining are forbidden on planes, some lighters are allowed.
“Absorbed liquid and butane lighters are limited to one lighter per passenger in carry-on or on one’s person. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, any lighter in the carry-on must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin,” according to the TSA website.
Flight 420 later left Atlanta at 5:45 p.m. and arrived in New York at 7:32 p.m. Thursday, according to FlightAware.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.