ATLANTA- A man was arrested inside the Delta Air Lines (DL) Sky Club at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on July 5, 2025, after refusing to leave when denied access. The incident escalated to police intervention when the traveler ignored repeated requests from staff.
Despite claiming to be a member, the passenger failed to show valid credentials. Officers explained the situation and offered him the choice to leave voluntarily or face arrest. He resisted, leading to trespassing charges.
Representative Photo: Delta Air LinesMan Arrested at Delta Sky Club
Body camera footage shows Delta Air Lines (DL) staff at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) explaining to police that the traveler did not meet entry requirements for the Sky Club.
Lounge access rules require either an eligible ticket, elite status, or a paid membership card. Since he could not provide proof, staff requested his removal.
When officers approached, the man became hostile, reportedly telling one officer, “get away from me, you’re disgusting.” Police clarified that they were there to enforce Delta’s lounge policies, not debate them.
After several warnings, the man continued to stall instead of leaving, prompting an immediate arrest.
Reported by OMAAT, another guest told officers that the passenger had been verbally abusive toward staff.
Photo: By Chris Rank / Rank Studios for Delta News Hub – New Delta Sky Club, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51685324Understanding Lounge Access Policies
Airline lounges such as Delta Sky Clubs are private facilities with strict access rules. Travelers may enter through premium cabin tickets, Sky Club or partner memberships, or certain credit cards with lounge benefits.
Entry is never guaranteed without proper credentials, even if a passenger claims membership.
When a traveler refuses to leave after being denied access, staff can request law enforcement support. Officers treat noncompliance as trespassing since the lounge is controlled space operated by the airline.
Photo: Delta Air LinesConsequences of Noncompliance
The Palm Beach case underscores the risks of refusing staff instructions at airports. Beyond arrest, travelers may face fines, charges for disorderly conduct, and even restrictions on future airline access.
In previous incidents, passengers have been banned from lounges or airlines after confrontations.
Cooperating when denied entry is the best course of action. Airport security and police are trained to resolve disputes quickly, and attempting to argue usually makes the situation worse.
Photo: DeltaKey Lessons for Travelers
- Confirm lounge eligibility before arriving at the door.
- Always carry the required card or digital access proof.
- If denied entry, leave respectfully rather than escalating.
- Avoid hostile language toward staff or officers, as it can lead to legal consequences.
While disagreements over lounge access are not uncommon, maintaining professionalism prevents situations from escalating to arrests, as happened in this case at PBI.
Photo: Clément AlloingSimilar Incident
A separate incident involving Delta Air Lines (DL) occurred at Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) on June 8, 2025, where a 29 year old passenger, Joseph Johnson, was arrested for stealing a backpack from the Delta Sky Club.
The stolen bag, containing approximately $4,000 in valuables, including electronics and personal items, was taken after Johnson was ejected from the lounge for inappropriate behavior.
When Salt Lake City airport police confronted Johnson in the terminal, he acted aggressively, pushing his luggage at officers and refusing to cooperate.
The situation escalated when he attempted to seize an officer’s holstered firearm, lifting the officer’s duty belt during the struggle. Officers subdued Johnson using force and restrained him with a WRAP device, a tool for immobilizing combative individuals.
Even after being secured, he continued resisting by slamming his head against the patrol vehicle’s plexiglass en route to jail.
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