A disruptive passenger has been banned by Delta Air Lines after making a pro-Donald Trump political tirade on board a flight.
Another traveller on the US domestic flight ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday period recorded the comments with the video receiving more than two million views on Facebook alone.
The belligerent passenger was allowed to remain on the flight from Atlanta to Allentown in Pennsylvania on November 22.
But Delta chief executive Ed Bastian has now issued an apology to all passengers on the flight and revealed that the passenger will never be allowed back on another of the airline’s aircraft.
In a memo to staff, Bastian said: “As you may have heard by now, last week a video began circulating around the internet showing a disruptive passenger on board a Delta flight.
“This individual displayed behaviour that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers.
“After questioning the customer, our team members made the best decision they could given the information they had and allowed him to remain on the flight.
“However, if our colleagues had witnessed first hand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft. He will never again be allowed on a Delta plane.”
He added: “Part of being a reliable travel partner and a servant leader is acknowledging our mistakes so we can learn from them and respond more effectively in the future.
“Delta has apologised to the customers onboard that flight. We are also refunding those customers the cost of their tickets.
“The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities.
“We must stay true to Delta’s core values and treat one another with dignity and respect.
“We also must remain committed more than ever to the safety of our customers and our crew members. We will not tolerate anything less.”