The American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped to his seat after allegedly going on an antisemitic and homophobic rant has now revealed what he drank before the bizarre mid-air incident.
Layne Lundeen, 67, said he had two screwdrivers: a cocktail made with vodka and orange juice, before things went wrong on the September 3 flight. But here’s the strange part: he says he doesn’t remember what happened afterwards.
Lundeen was travelling in first class from Dallas to Newark and was sitting next to author and Messianic rabbi Jonathan Cahn.
According to Cahn, they talked normally for around two hours before their conversation moved towards religion. That’s when Lundeen’s behaviour allegedly changed. He started shouting and using slurs, prompting other passengers to step in.
Two men, Juan Mejia and Richard Olenick, eventually helped restrain him with zip ties and duct tape. Photos from the flight showed Lundeen tied to his seat with tape wrapped around his body and head.
Mejia, a retired law enforcement officer, also claimed Lundeen bit his hand during the struggle. The situation became so bad that American Airlines Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore instead of continuing to Newark. Police were waiting when it landed.
However, while appearing in a Maryland court, Lundeen said he had almost no memory of the incident. “I don’t remember any of what happened,” he told the court. He also appeared surprised when informed that he had allegedly assaulted a police officer.
Lundeen has been charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He was released on his own recognizance but was ordered not to drink alcohol or take non-prescription drugs while the case continues.
The incident has already had consequences outside court. Long Realty Company, where Lundeen worked as a real estate agent in Arizona, fired him after videos and pictures from the flight surfaced online.
2026-09-18 01:23:00
