Woman Arrested at Tweed New Haven Airport After Refusing to Leave

Kristen Powers charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing after being deemed too intoxicated to fly

Mar. 9, 2026 at 6:49pm

A 44-year-old Southbury woman named Kristen Powers was arrested at Tweed New Haven Airport on Sunday afternoon after she refused to leave the premises when airline staff deemed her too intoxicated to be allowed on a flight. Police say Powers was "belligerent and argumentative" when confronted and told to leave, leading to her arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and first-degree criminal trespassing.

Why it matters

Incidents of unruly passenger behavior have become an increasing concern for airlines and airports in recent years, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting a sharp rise in such cases. This incident highlights the challenges airport staff and law enforcement face in dealing with intoxicated passengers who refuse to comply with directives.

The details

According to the New Haven Police Department, officers were called to Tweed New Haven Airport around 4:48 pm on Sunday for a report of multiple intoxicated people in the terminal. While the rest of the group dispersed, Powers allegedly remained "belligerent and argumentative" when airline staff told her she was too drunk to be allowed on a flight and needed to leave the premises. Police say they tried to de-escalate the situation and told Powers to arrange for a ride, but were soon called back as she continued her disruptive behavior, at one point telling officers "arrest me" and "place me under arrest."

  • Police were called to the airport around 4:48 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Kristen Powers

A 44-year-old woman from Southbury, Connecticut who was arrested at Tweed New Haven Airport on charges of disorderly conduct and first-degree criminal trespassing after refusing to leave the premises when deemed too intoxicated to fly.

New Haven Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident at Tweed New Haven Airport and arrested Kristen Powers.

Tweed New Haven Airport

The airport located in New Haven, Connecticut where the incident took place.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kristen Powers out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing challenges airports and airlines face in dealing with unruly and intoxicated passengers, underscoring the need for clear policies and procedures to maintain safety and security at transportation hubs.