Flight Diverted For ‘Unruly’ Passengers

A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Costa Rica was diverted to Florida Sunday evening after a German couple in first class became unruly and demanded champagne. Delta Flight 414 departed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 6 p.m. Sunday and landed at Tampa International Airport at 7:34 p.m. After the “unruly” passengers were removed, the plane continued on to Costa Rica. Tampa International Airport officials said Peter and Gabriele Strohmaier of Dusseldorf were seated in first class, demanding food and champagne. They refused to sit down until they were served. Gabriele denied she and her husband behaved inappropriately. She said a Delta crew member “exaggerated enormously and felt terribly insulted” after her husband raised concerns about the food and beverage service. She said her husband had asked for a glass of champagne but was told it was all gone. She said the flight attendant then walked away rather than listen to his concerns. No charges have been filled. The FBI and Transportation Security Administration are investigating.