American Airlines 777 Pilots Requests Police Upon Landing at New York JFK

dailyblitz.de 2 hours ago

NEW YORK— An American Airlines (AA) Boeing 777-300ER landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) after completing flight AA107 from London Heathrow (LHR), when the crew requested police assistance due to a passenger altercation.

The crew reported to Air Traffic Control (ATC) that two passengers had been physically assaulting each other onboard. They requested law enforcement to meet the aircraft at the gate upon arrival.

American Airlines Pilots Call New York Police

Flight AA107, operated by an American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, registered as N727AN, had completed its transatlantic journey from London Heathrow (LHR) to New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) without issues during the flight on August 1, 2025.

The disturbance occurred after landing, while the aircraft was taxiing to its assigned gate.

According to recorded ATC transmissions, the crew initially informed the tower they were holding short of Runway 4L at taxiway Fox Bravo. They then explained the situation, stating there had been “an incident in the back of the airplane,” and asked to expedite their taxi to reach the gate more quickly.

When pressed by controllers, the pilot confirmed they needed police assistance due to passengers physically assaulting one another.

The captain later clarified that the aircraft was heading to Gate 47 and repeated the request for police and customer service staff to be present at arrival. ATC acknowledged, relaying arrangements for law enforcement and passenger service managers to meet the flight.

Details from ATC Communication

The radio exchanges between ATC and the cockpit show how the situation unfolded in real time:

The flight crew requested expedited taxi clearance and priority routing across active runways.
ATC confirmed whether additional support was required, to which the pilot responded that police intervention was necessary.
The pilot reiterated multiple times that the issue involved two passengers physically assaulting each other.
ATC confirmed that law enforcement and customer service representatives would be positioned at Gate 47.

The conversation highlighted the professional tone of the crew and controllers, ensuring passenger safety while minimizing disruption to airport operations.

Airline and Passenger Safety Protocols

American Airlines has established protocols for dealing with disruptive passengers, including crew escalation procedures and coordination with airport authorities. When onboard incidents occur, the captain has the authority to request immediate law enforcement support upon landing, as seen in this case.

Physical altercations on flights are treated as serious safety violations. They not only threaten the individuals involved but can also pose risks to other passengers and crew.

Once aircraft doors open, responsibility shifts to airport security and local law enforcement, who determine whether charges or further action will be pursued.

AA Pilots and New York JFK

Here’s a detailed transcript of a conversation between American Airlines pilots and New York JFK ATC as flagged by You Can See ATC:

{ts:20}
ATC (Tower): American 107 heavy, left at Fox Bravo and hold short of runway 4 left.
Pilot: Fox Bravo and hold short of 4 left, American 107 heavy.

{ts:48}
Pilot: Tower, American 107 heavy.
ATC: Yes.
Pilot: We’re holding short of 4 left at Fox Bravo. We have an incident in the back of the airplane. Is there any way we can expedite across?
ATC: American 107 heavy, do you require any other assistance?
Pilot: We’re going to need the police to meet us at the gate.

{ts:64}
Pilot: At the gate. We’re going to gate 47.
ATC: American 107 heavy, cross runway 4 left at Fox Bravo. Left on Delta Bravo.
Pilot: Cleared to cross 4 left at Fox Bravo. Left on Delta Bravo.

{ts:78}
ATC: American 107 heavy, cross runway 13 left at Bravo. Turn right on Bravo.
Pilot: Cleared to cross 13 left at Bravo. Right on, Bravo.

{ts:86}
Pilot: American 107 heavy on the ground. We’re supposed to go to gate 47.
ATC: American 107, call approaching Tango Alpha. Gate 47 is open.
Pilot: Call approaching Tango Alpha from 47, and we have an incident in the back of the airplane. We’re going to need the authorities to meet us at the gate and a description of what happened.

{ts:119}
Pilot: It’s an incident between two passengers. They’re assaulting each other, so we need somebody to meet us at the gate. And customer service and law enforcement, American 107 heavy.

{ts:135}
ATC: Okay, copy that: Law enforcement and Passenger Service Manager, and then two passenger assaults.

{ts:142}
ATC: That’s it. Okay, so you still want to send 847 then Tango?
Pilot: That’s correct. And we’re going to call it right now since we got the report at this time.
ATC: Okay, thank you.