Furious JetBlue Passenger Destroys JFK Check-in Counters; Says Airline 'Lied' About Haiti Ticket

Furious JetBlue Passenger Destroys JFK Check-in Counters; Says Airline 'Lied' About Haiti Ticket

BY JASPER YU-DAWIDOWICZ Published on September 16, 2024 7 COMMENTS

 

A livid JetBlue Airways passenger went on a rampage through the check-in area at JFK terminal 5 on Saturday September 14th. The traveler was reportedly denied a last-minute ticket to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which led the man to destroy several check-in kiosks, trash cans, and barrier walls. 
 

What Caused the Destruction? 

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

Photo: Aeroxplorer | Bill Kerrigan

 

Witnesses of the incident have said the Haitian man, who had not been publicly identified, was yelling at JetBlue ticket staff, demanding he be put on the next flight to Haiti. 
 

The man grew increasingly frustrated until his anger reached a tipping point, pacing around the check-in area and screaming at other JetBlue passengers that he “needs to get to Haiti on the JetBlue flight… the next JetBlue flight.”

 

In the moments after, observers captured dramatic video of the man punching a desktop computer to the ground, running around the terminal, ripping down lane dividers and throwing them into other passengers. In another clip, the man ripped a check-in stand from the ground and proceeded to punch another before throwing two trash cans across the check-in hall. 

 

According to a video commenter, “his sister was just killed in Haiti and he wanted to get on the next JetBlue flight. Apparently he felt someone lied to him" and that he wanted to leave the "godforsaken country."
 

Minutes later, a single police officer arrived at the scene and proceeded to bear-hug the man and carry him out of the terminal. However many question why the security response was so delayed, especially at a major international airport like JFK. 
 

Extremely Limited Flights to Haiti

 

Due to the current political instability and extreme violence in Haiti and a do-not travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, few commercial flights are offered from the United States to the Caribbean island nation. 

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

Photo: Aeroxplorer | Sam D

 

JetBlue's once daily nonstop flight between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Port-au-Prince's Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture (PAP) provides a crucial lifeline to those in need of transport between the U.S. and Haiti. 
 

JetBlue's outbound flight, B6935, departs daily at 6:00 a.m. and arrives in Haiti at 9:50 a.m. The return flight, operated as B6634, leaves Haiti at 10:50 a.m. and arrives back in New York at 2:44 p.m.
 

Only American and Spirit Airlines join JetBlue in continued service to Haiti, with flights departing from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, respectively. JetBlue also operates flights from Fort Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince.

 AeroXplorer is on Telegram! Subscribe to the AeroXplorer Telegram Channel to receive aviation news updates as soon as they are released. View Channel 
Jasper Yu-Dawidowicz
Aviation enthusiast based out of New York City. I love to fly, travel the world, and share stories through writing.

Comments (7)

366d ago • Reply
365d ago • Reply
Robert Chester Grammar correction: "According to onlookers, the Haitian man who had not been publicly identified was yelling at JetBlue ticket staff, demanding he was put on the next flight to Haiti," contains two comma errors and one verb tense error. See next. "According to onlookers, the Haitian man, who had not been publicly identified, was yelling at JetBlue ticket staff, demanding he BE put on the next flight to Haiti." Note two additional commas and the verb in the dependent clause. You could also say, "demanding to be put on..." which would eliminate the BE problem.
365d ago • Reply
Safe Travels Comments about the man’s behavior, the loss of his sister, the slow response time would all seem appropriate regarding the story. To criticize the grammar concerns are some of the stupidest comments I have read!
365d ago • Reply
364d ago • Reply
364d ago • Reply

Add Your Comment

SHARE




TAGS

NEWS JetBlue PassengerJFK Check-in CountersHaiti TicketJetBlue Airline

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Flight Plans Disrupted: H-1B Visa Holders Face Urgent Re-Entry Requirement On September 19, a presidential proclamation was issued revising conditions of entry for H-1B nonimmigrant workers. Effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 21, 2025, H-1B visa holders outside the United States will only be admitted if their employers remit an additional $100,000 petition fee to the Department of Homeland Security. NEWS READ MORE »
One Size Too Small: What Happened to the Airbus A318? Once hailed as the future of short-haul aviation, the Airbus A318 quickly became the black sheep of the A320 family. This article explores the rise, fall, and rare opportunities to still catch a ride on the smallest Airbus ever built. INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »
Terminal Trouble: One of Japan's Busiest Airports is Slowly Sinking Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the primary international airport serving the city of Osaka in Japan. Geological factors are increasingly putting Kansai Airport at risk of sinking, an unusual scenario related to how the airport was built. INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE