October 11, 2014
BOSTON (AFP) - It was dubbed the legroom wars and now a Haitian man risks up to 20 years in a US prison for losing his cool when a passenger reclined a seat on a flight from Miami to Paris.
Edmond Alexandre, 60, was indicted Thursday in a federal court in Boston for interfering with crew members, which forced the diversion of the August 27 flight to the northeastern city.
Approximately two hours into American Airlines flight 62 from Miami to Paris, Alexandre allegedly argued with the passenger in front, who wanted to recline in the cramped confines of economy class.
When a crew member intervened, Alexandre is accused of chasing the attendant down the aisle and grabbing his arm, before being handcuffed by marshals.
The pilot diverted the plane to Boston's Logan International Airport where Alexandre was arrested.
Although he is expected to receive a lighter sentence if found guilty, the crime is punishable under US law by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and three years supervised release.
His was the second of three cases within a nine-day period in August and September when passengers lost their temper over a reclining seat in economy class, forcing US passenger planes to divert.
