Frontier Flight Diverted to Miami After Midair Passenger Fight

An Alabama woman was arrested after a scuffle on a flight from Puerto Rico to Atlanta.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Atlanta was diverted to Miami International Airport on Monday after a passenger, Ebony Shyteria Harper, allegedly got into a physical altercation with other passengers. Harper, a 31-year-old from Opelika, Alabama, was arrested by Miami-Dade County authorities and faces charges of battery on a person 65 or older and misdemeanor battery.

Why it matters

Incidents of unruly passenger behavior on flights have become an increasing concern for airlines and law enforcement, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting a sharp rise in such cases in recent years. This incident highlights the potential safety risks and disruptions that can occur when passengers become violent mid-flight, leading to costly diversions and arrests.

The details

According to the arrest report, the incident began when Harper walked to the back of the plane to use the restroom and leaned on a man sitting in the back row. When the man asked her to remove her hand, Harper allegedly touched his face. When the man's wife asked Harper to stop, Harper is accused of touching the woman's face, which then escalated into Harper allegedly striking the woman. A family member of the alleged victim who tried to intervene was also punched several times by Harper, the report stated.

  • The Frontier Airlines flight departed San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday.
  • The flight was diverted to Miami International Airport due to the incident.
  • The aircraft landed in Atlanta around 9:17 p.m. ET on Monday, nearly 3 hours later than scheduled.

The players

Ebony Shyteria Harper

A 31-year-old woman from Opelika, Alabama who was arrested and charged with battery on a person 65 or older and misdemeanor battery for her alleged role in the in-flight altercation.

Frontier Airlines

The airline operating the flight from Puerto Rico to Atlanta that was diverted to Miami due to the passenger incident.

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What’s next

Harper was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after posting $1,000 bond early Wednesday. The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow her to remain free on bail as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the growing problem of unruly passenger behavior on flights, which can lead to costly diversions, arrests, and safety risks for both passengers and crew. Airlines and law enforcement continue to grapple with how to address this issue and maintain order and security in the skies.