After attack on employees at California airport, passengers are denied access, the airline says

A Texas man has been banned from United Airlines flights after attacking a female employee while boarding a plane at San Francisco International Airport, officials said.

Cody Benjamin Lovins, 47, of Montgomery was arrested late Sunday, May 1, after the incident and charged with assault, San Francisco police told KRON.

Lovins became angry when he and his wife were asked to leave their assigned seats on the Houston-bound flight shortly before midnight, fellow passenger Naya Jimenez told KGO. A gate agent came on board to speak with Lovins.

“After pausing for a minute, he ran toward the pilot where the emergency exit doors are and tried to open them,” Jimenez told KGO. He tried to jump out of the plane but was restrained by flight attendants, she said.

In a statement to McClatchy News on Wednesday, May 3, United Airlines confirmed that a “disruptive” passenger assaulted a customer service representative during boarding.

“This customer’s conduct was unacceptable,” the airline said. “He has been banned from future United flights and we are working with local law enforcement in their investigation.”

Airport police responded and arrested Lovins, KNTV reported.

San Francisco International Airport counted 42 million passengers in 2022, the airport reported.

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