An American Airlines flight turned tense earlier this month after a passenger was caught vaping in the aircraft’s bathroom — and then posted footage of the confrontation online.
Kobe Peter “Twoey King” Nguyen shared an Instagram video on August 4, capturing his exchange with two flight attendants who confronted him mid-flight. According to text overlaid on the clip, Nguyen claimed an attendant “forcibly” opened the lavatory door while he was inside.
In the video, one flight attendant tells Nguyen, “You can keep saying you’re sorry, but I care about all these passengers. It’ll be on you. And I see you’re recording me right now.” She appeared to reach for his phone, prompting Nguyen to accuse her of putting her hands on him. A second attendant soon joined in, warning, “You’re not supposed to be smoking in here.”
Nguyen pushed back, insisting the attendant had “assaulted” him and vowing to contact police once the plane landed. He later addressed the incident in a social media statement, calling it “one of the most humiliating moments” of his life and alleging that his privacy had been violated.
American Airlines confirmed to NBC News that the passenger was removed upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport for “disruptive behavior.” The San Francisco Police Department escorted him off the aircraft.
During a Fox 10 Phoenix appearance on August 8, Nguyen admitted to vaping onboard and apologized to fellow passengers. He later explained to TODAY.com that nicotine withdrawal and sensory overload — linked to his autism — had driven him to seek privacy in the lavatory.
Rules in the Air
American Airlines strictly bans the use of e-cigarettes during flights, citing the risk of fire from lithium-ion batteries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies vapes as “dangerous goods” that should be carried, but never used or charged, in-flight.
Expert Perspective
Christina Ling, a former flight attendant and founder of the Flight Attendant Institute, told TODAY.com that the crew’s actions were appropriate and rooted in safety.
“We are there for safety and to enforce rules from the governing body,” Ling explained. “Any kind of smoking or vaping is a federal offense. Fire is one of the biggest fears cabin crew have because we can’t call the fire department at 41,000 feet.”
Airplane bathrooms are equipped with sensitive smoke detectors, she added, and attendants are trained to respond immediately to any alarm. Ling emphasized that flight crews don’t make the rules but are responsible for enforcing them to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.
Her advice to passengers? Respect the crew’s instructions — and avoid filming them during tense situations. “If flight attendants perceive a threat to safety, they will act based on their training,” she said.
