Florida flight diverted after woman fakes medical emergency, demands larger seat

FILE PHOTO: A mechanic for American Airlines is accused of tampering with a plane because he was upset over a labor dispute.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — A woman demanding a larger seat on an American Airlines flight was taken into custody after faking a medical condition that prompted the pilot to head back to a Florida airport.

Flight crews summoned authorities once the Miami-bound flight arrived back in Pensacola early Friday morning.

A Pensacola police spokesman said the plane was evacuated when the woman refused to deplane.

Authorities and the plane’s pilot eventually succeeded in removing the woman.