Charlotte, North Carolina, October 11, 2025
News Summary
An American Airlines flight to Montego Bay turned back to Charlotte Douglas International Airport after two passengers refused to follow crew instructions. The flight, which departed around 2 p.m., returned within an hour, leading to their removal and significant delays. The flight resumed at 5:10 p.m., with a new estimated arrival time of 6:46 p.m., causing passengers to arrive nearly four hours late. This incident comes during a week of widespread delays at the airport due to a federal government shutdown affecting air traffic control.
Charlotte, North Carolina — An American Airlines flight (AA 2732) heading to Montego Bay had to turn back to Charlotte Douglas International Airport due to two passengers who refused to follow crew instructions. The flight took off from Charlotte at around 2 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Jamaica by 4 p.m. However, at 2:51 p.m., one hour after takeoff, the flight was diverted back to Charlotte because of the disruptive behavior of the passengers. They were subsequently removed from the aircraft.
The flight resumed its journey around 5:10 p.m., leading to a significant delay. The new estimated arrival time in Montego Bay was indicated as approximately 6:46 p.m., causing passengers to reach their destination roughly four hours later than planned. Specific details regarding the behavior of the disruptive passengers have not been disclosed.
This incident took place amidst a challenging week for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is experiencing widespread delays due to a federal government shutdown that began on October 1. The ongoing shutdown has resulted in a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers. Consequently, about 1,000 flights across the United States have been delayed, heavily impacting major airports this week.
Statistics reported for Charlotte Douglas International Airport indicate a significant number of flight disturbances: there were 261 delays on Monday, 133 delays on Tuesday, and 64 delays on Wednesday afternoon, although no cancellations were reported on that day. Additionally, two cancellations occurred on both Monday and Tuesday.
With federal officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) not working on-site due to the shutdown, communication has been limited. This lack of personnel has exacerbated the situation at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which ranks as the sixth-busiest airport in the world for takeoffs and landings. American Airlines comprises approximately 90% of the airport’s traffic.
Passengers planning to fly from Charlotte Douglas International Airport are advised to arrive two hours prior to their domestic flights and three hours before international flights. It is recommended for travelers to check directly with airlines for real-time updates as the airport continues to monitor the situation while keeping in communication with federal partners.
FAQ
What incident occurred on American Airlines Flight AA 2732?
An American Airlines flight (AA 2732) heading to Montego Bay had to turn back to Charlotte Douglas International Airport due to two passengers refusing to follow crew instructions.
What was the cause of the flight’s delay?
The flight was delayed because two disruptive passengers refused to comply with crew instructions, resulting in their removal from the aircraft.
What additional challenges is Charlotte Douglas International Airport facing this week?
The airport is experiencing widespread delays due to a federal government shutdown that began on October 1, resulting in a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers.
What are the updated arrival times for Flight AA 2732 after the incident?
The new estimated arrival time for Flight AA 2732 in Montego Bay is around 6:46 p.m., leading to an approximate delay of four hours for passengers.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | AA 2732 |
| Departure Location | Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
| Destination | Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| Initial Departure Time | 2:00 p.m. |
| Return Time | 2:51 p.m. |
| Re-Departure Time | 5:10 p.m. |
| New Estimated Arrival Time | 6:46 p.m. |
| Flight Delays at CLT | 261 (Monday), 133 (Tuesday), 64 (Wednesday) |
| Cancellations at CLT | 2 on both Monday and Tuesday |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Significant Delays Reported at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Passengers Evacuated from American Airlines Flight in Denver
Severe Weather Disrupts Flights at Charlotte-Douglas Airport
Severe Weather Disrupts Flights at Charlotte Douglas Airport
Major Flight Delays at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Health Emergency at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Severe Weather Causes Major Disruptions at Charlotte Airport
Additional Resources
- Travel and Tour World
- Charlotte Observer
- WCNC
- AS.com
- QC News
- Wikipedia: Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Google Search: American Airlines news
- Google Scholar: American Airlines flights delays
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Airlines
- Google News: Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Author: HERE Charlotte
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