Summary
A United Airlines first-class passenger on a Milan–Newark flight was arrested by the FBI after allegedly biting a flight attendant and attempting to open an aircraft door mid-flight, forcing an emergency diversion to Bangor, Maine on September 8. The 36-year-old Russian national, described as visibly intoxicated, required five people to restrain her during a struggle that lasted roughly three hours.
The incident underscores that even premium cabins are not immune to severe disruptions, and the passenger now faces federal charges of interference with a flight crew and assault. The flight eventually continued to Newark after she was removed.
What began as a routine transatlantic premium-cabin service on United Airlines Flight 18 turned into a prolonged safety crisis when crew refused further alcohol to a first-class passenger and the situation escalated into a multi-person physical restraint. The Boeing 777-200ER, carrying 274 passengers and 13 crew, was en route from Milan to Newark on September 8 when the captain declared an emergency and diverted to Bangor, Maine.
Federal court documents and an FBI affidavit detail a sequence that moved from intoxication to aggression, then to a struggle that left a flight attendant with bite wounds and a shoulder injury. The passenger, identified as 36-year-old Russian national Kristina Kedysheva, had been served three glasses of red wine and a whiskey-and-coke earlier in the flight. When crew declined further service, she became loud and repeatedly approached the cockpit area demanding drinks, filming crew on her phone and accusing them of racism.
A passenger witness told investigators they saw Kedysheva move close to the outer rear door and reach for its handle, prompting intervention. It took five people to restrain her, and during the struggle she allegedly bit a flight attendant’s wrist and kicked her in the upper stomach, causing breathing difficulties and a shoulder injury. Another passenger was scratched.
The Details
The aircraft landed safely at Bangor International Airport around midday, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection and local police boarded and removed the passenger. She was taken into FBI custody and now faces federal charges including interference with a flight crew and assault. During questioning, Kedysheva denied biting anyone and blamed a female flight attendant, though she conceded she may have scratched or fought people. United confirmed the diversion was due to an unruly passenger and that law enforcement met the aircraft and removed the customer.
The FAA is investigating the incident, and a statement on the agency’s accidents and incidents page confirms the flight landed safely and remains under review.
| Date/Time | Event | Impact | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 8, mid-flight | Passenger served three glasses of red wine and a whiskey-coke; crew later refused further alcohol | Passenger became loud, aggressive, and repeatedly approached cockpit | Escalation began |
| September 8, later | Passenger moved toward rear door and reached for handle; witness intervened | Five people restrained passenger; struggle lasted about three hours | Flight attendant bitten and kicked; another passenger scratched |
| September 8, ~noon | Captain declared emergency; aircraft diverted to Bangor, Maine | Flight landed safely; passenger removed by CBP and local police, taken into FBI custody | Flight later continued to Newark |
| Post-incident | Passenger faces federal charges of interference with flight crew and assault | Legal proceedings ongoing; FAA investigating | Pending |
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Why the incident matters beyond the headlines
Air Traveler Club’s analysis of first-class passenger behavior notes that alcohol-related incidents account for roughly 12% of all reported unruly passenger cases, and crew are trained to document such events with the same rigor as safety emergencies. This case, however, stands out because it combines a long-haul premium cabin, a transatlantic routing, and federal criminal attention — not just a routine onboard removal.
For transatlantic carriers, the reputational risk is not first class itself; it is any perception that premium service weakens safety discipline. The incident will likely push airlines toward stricter alcohol service protocols, sharper crew training on early cutoff thresholds, and faster coordination with law enforcement on diversion cases — without moving to blanket dry-cabin policies.
What the federal charges mean for premium cabin safety
Watch for the Maine federal court docket and any FAA enforcement update — if either appears, it will clarify whether this remains a one-off criminal case or becomes a wider airline-policy story. United may also review alcohol service protocols on transatlantic premium routes, though no immediate policy changes have been announced. The crew injuries elevate the legal severity, and a conviction could set a stronger deterrent precedent for premium-cabin misconduct.
FAQ
What federal charges does the passenger face?
The passenger has been charged with interference with a flight crew and assault, both federal offenses that carry significant penalties including prison time and fines. The exact charges will be detailed in the Maine federal court docket.
Will United ban the passenger from future flights?
United has not yet announced a ban, but airlines routinely place passengers involved in serious onboard disturbances on internal no-fly lists and may pursue civil recovery for diversion costs. A formal ban is likely once the legal process advances.
What happens to the flight crew after such an incident?
The injured flight attendant received medical attention, and crew members involved in restraints typically undergo post-incident support and may be offered counseling. The FAA and United will review the event to assess crew safety procedures and any needed training adjustments.
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