United Airlines Bans Passenger After Violent Assault on Gate Agent at Dulles Airport

Christopher Stuart Crittenden, a Maryland man, was arrested for punching a gate agent following flight cancellations and delays, sparking calls for stricter protections for airline staff.

Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, was arrested at Dulles International Airport for assaulting a United Airlines gate agent during a dispute over flight cancellations and delays.
The incident, caught on video, shows Crittenden shouting profanities before punching the agent, who collapsed and was later hospitalized.
United Airlines has permanently banned Crittenden from flying with the airline, and he faces charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has called for increased legal protections for airline employees, citing a rise in violent incidents against staff.
Authorities allege Crittenden was intoxicated during the altercation, and witnesses reported that he had been agitated over disrupted travel plans.