UFC Fighter Arman Tsarukyan Shares His Side of American Airlines Flight Removal

Tsarukyan claims a request to move seats led to his removal from the flight before takeoff.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:03pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the chaotic scene of Arman Tsarukyan being removed from an airplane, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the different perspectives and tensions involved.A cubist interpretation of the tense confrontation between UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan and American Airlines staff over his seating assignment.Philadelphia Today

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was removed from an American Airlines flight on Thursday before departure from Los Angeles International Airport. Tsarukyan says he asked a flight attendant if he could move seats to sit next to a larger teammate, but was told to return to his assigned seat. The situation then escalated, leading to Tsarukyan and two of his teammates being kicked off the flight. Tsarukyan ended up flying privately to his destination of Philadelphia for his upcoming fight against Urijah Faber.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the tensions that can arise between airline staff and passengers, especially high-profile athletes, when it comes to seating arrangements and compliance with crew instructions. It also showcases how athletes sometimes have to make alternative travel plans to ensure they make it to important events on time.

The details

According to Tsarukyan, he had a group of 11 people traveling together and noticed there were three empty seats. He asked a flight attendant if he could sit in one of those seats next to his larger teammate, but was told to return to his assigned seat of 29A. Tsarukyan then sat in seat 30A, which was also empty. This led to further interactions with the flight attendant, including one of Tsarukyan's teammates taking a phone call, which ultimately resulted in all three of them being removed from the flight.

  • On Thursday, April 17, 2026, Arman Tsarukyan was removed from American Airlines flight 513 before departure from Los Angeles International Airport.
  • Tsarukyan was headed to Philadelphia for his UFC fight against Urijah Faber on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Arman Tsarukyan

A UFC lightweight contender who was removed from an American Airlines flight before departure.

Urijah Faber

A UFC fighter who Tsarukyan was scheduled to face in a match on April 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.

American Airlines

The airline that removed Tsarukyan and two of his teammates from the flight.

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What they’re saying

“I had a team. There are 11 of us. We are getting in the plane and it was three empty seats. I asked the lady because my seat was next to my friend, and he's a little bit big. I said, 'OK, maybe there is an empty seat.' I asked the lady, 'Can I sit here?' She didn't say yes. She said, 'Where's your seat?' I said, '29A.' She said, 'Go there.' I said, 'Why are you rude?' Then I sit in 30A because it was empty.”

— Arman Tsarukyan, UFC Fighter

“The others (who did not get kicked off) flew. Then we got the jet and they said, 'Bro, why didn't you tell me you were flying in the jet? We would like to get (kicked) out, too.'”

— Arman Tsarukyan, UFC Fighter

What’s next

Tsarukyan will face Urijah Faber in their UFC match on Saturday, April 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges that can arise when high-profile athletes try to accommodate their travel needs while also complying with airline policies and crew instructions. It also shows how athletes sometimes have to make alternative arrangements, like chartering private flights, to ensure they make it to important events on time.