Two Bronx women caused an American Airlines flight to divert due to their “disturbing and unacceptable” behavior — including spitting at a passenger who asked them to stop using racial slurs, according to reports.
Kelly Pichardo, 30, and Leeza Rodriguez, 29, were aboard Flight 776 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Los Angeles on Wednesday when a male passenger asked them to stop using the offensive language in conversation, CBS DFW reported.
Pichardo allegedly spat at the man, who then began recording them, said Phoenix police Sgt. Mercedes Fortune after the plane diverted to the Arizona city’s Sky Harbor International Airport.
Rodriguez was also accused of striking the man on the hand to stop him from recording, Fortune said.
“Upon arrival, the flight was met by local law enforcement who removed and arrested two individuals for verbally and physically assaulting other customers and flight crew members,” American Airlines rep Derek Walls told The Post in an email.
“Their behavior was disturbing and unacceptable, and they have been placed on the internal refuse list pending further investigation. We continue to investigate this incident and are working directly with impacted customers to ensure their well-being,” the airline said.
“We thank our crewmembers for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation,” it added.
Rodriguez was charged with assault and disorderly conduct, while Pichardo faces a charge of disorderly conduct, according to the news outlet.
The flight continued on to Los Angeles later and arrived without further incident.