Dhaka: A London-bound American Airlines flight on January 19 was disrupted by a first-class passenger who refused to wear a mask prompting the flight’s pilot to turn back to the departing destination Miami.

The flight turned around so that the passenger could be deboarded, police and airline officials said.

With 129 passengers and 14 crew members, the American Airlines’ flight 38 was over the Atlantic Ocean when the passenger refused to obey instructions to wear a mask and became disruptive, they added.

The flight left Miami International Airport at about 7:40 pm (local time). After an hour into the flight, the pilot decided to turn the Boeing 777 aircraft of American Airlines around and return to Miami, the airline officials further mentioned.

Eventually, the flight was cancelled and the passengers had to book flights on other dates.

According to reports, the passenger who refused to wear a mask was verbally abusive to the flight crew. Flight attendants tried to offer several different masks to the passenger. However, she complained about each mask.

Afterwards, the airline contacted the police about a disruptive female passenger refusing to wear a mask. The police officers met the plane when it returned to the Miami International Airport. They escorted the passenger off the plane, but she was not arrested or charged.

The woman was turned over to American Airlines officials to handle administratively.

American Airlines said the woman has been placed on the airline's internal no-fly list pending an investigation.

Such type of incidents is referred to the Federal Aviation Administration as part of a standard reporting process.

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