By Wendy Anders

Dec. 28: A full American Airlines flight destined from Sao Paolo, Brazil to New York made an unexpected landing when a couple having an argument in first class refused to follow crew instructions, said EFE.

The resumption of the flight was delayed for almost 15 hours due to airline crew guidelines, the airline said.

The plane left Tuesday night from Sao Paulo and landed at dawn Wednesday in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia after the pilot ordered the unplanned grounding, official Brazilian sources said.

The pilot requested permission from police to make the forced landing saying they could not control the couple’s behavior, which was disturbing the peace of other passengers on the flight.

According to the pilot’s account, a passenger was arguing with her partner in a very aggressive manner, and repeatedly disobeying crew instructions to remain seated in with the seat belt fastened.

The pilot added that the woman verbally assaulted cabin crew, who tried to keep her under control and calm other passengers who were affected by the situation.

American Airlines, in a brief statement, justified the diversion of the flight due to “problems with a passenger on board,” and explained that the resumption of the flight had to be delayed by almost fifteen hours because the crew, by international standards, could not surpass twelve straight hours of work.

The near 300 passengers affected by the couple’s argument were taken to hotels in the city of Brasilia, and requested to return for a flight Wednesday night, said EFE.