Key facts
- Layne Arthur Lundeen, a real estate agent, was arrested on September 3rd.
- The arrest followed alleged unruly behavior, including racial and homophobic slurs, on an American Airlines flight.
- Lundeen was restrained with duct tape and zip ties by other passengers.
- The flight was diverted to Baltimore, where Lundeen was taken into custody.
- Long Realty Company has stated it is no longer associated with Lundeen.
- Lundeen faces charges of disorderly conduct and second-degree assault.
An Arizona real estate agent, Layne Arthur Lundeen, 67, has been fired by Long Realty Company after an alleged incident of "air rage" on an American Airlines flight. Lundeen was arrested on September 3rd at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall airport after the flight from Dallas to Newark was diverted due to his disruptive behavior.
According to court records and passenger accounts, Lundeen allegedly hurled racial and homophobic slurs at airline staff and other passengers. Two fellow travelers, including a former law enforcement officer, intervened and restrained Lundeen with duct tape and zip ties to his seat. He was subsequently arrested by Maryland transportation authority police on charges of disorderly conduct and second-degree assault.
Long Realty Company issued a statement on Monday stating that Lundeen is "no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity." The company emphasized that his alleged conduct is inconsistent with its values of professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect. Lundeen is scheduled to appear in court on October 19th.
American Airlines confirmed that flight 618 experienced a "disruptive" passenger about two hours into the trip, leading to the emergency landing. The incident has drawn significant attention online, with a photograph of Lundeen restrained in his seat going viral.