
A disruptive traveler was caught on video threatening Southwest Airlines employees during a volatile confrontation at Kansas City International Airport on New Year’s Eve, prompting police involvement and a broader security response that briefly disrupted airport operations, as reported by The New York Post.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at a Southwest Airlines ticket counter located in the unsecured area of Kansas City International Airport.
Video of the outburst, shared on social media by X user Collin Rugg, shows a man shouting profanities and making repeated threats toward female airline employees as nearby passengers looked on.
In the roughly four-minute clip, the man can be heard boasting about his background while directing abuse at workers behind the counter, declaring, “I’m from the UK, n—a!” He repeatedly threatened to slap female employees as tensions escalated.
At one point, the man placed his hand on a Southwest employee’s computer screen. The worker warned him to step back.
When she said she would call police, the man responded by shouting, “I don’t give a f–k about getting arrested, bitch!” He then added, “I’ll still smack your bitch ass!”
As the confrontation continued, a male Southwest employee stood nearby while the unruly traveler leaned toward the counter and snarled, “This counter ain’t saving you!”
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He went on to say, “If I wanted to, I would have got your bitch ass already,” pointing at the woman as she remained at her position.
Witnesses said the man continued yelling threats at other female employees, prompting several travelers to step in to defend the workers as the disturbance spread through the gate area.
When the employee appeared to reach for her phone to call police, the man angrily moved toward her workstation from behind the counter.
Two Southwest co-workers intervened, positioning themselves between the employee and the man as he continued shouting.
The situation grew more heated when the traveler complained loudly, “I’ve been here since 5:30,” while several people attempted to calm him down.
Another male passenger wearing a baseball cap approached the unruly traveler, who appeared to challenge him.
The woman recording the incident told the man to “shut up,” to which he responded, “Or what, b—h?” Bystanders worked to keep the two men separated as one voice urged, “Don’t escalate!”
As he was pulled away, the man continued taunting others, saying, “N—a, you a soft b—h, like your woman.”
NEW: Man has a complete meltdown in the Kansas City airport, threatens to slap female Southwest workers.
“I’m from the UK, n*gga!” he said.
Passengers waiting for their flight were seen standing up to defend the workers, as security was nowhere to be seen.
The man was upset… pic.twitter.com/nTOJmdNcC9
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 1, 2026
According to Rugg, the man was later arrested. However, airport officials did not immediately confirm whether the individual in the viral video was taken into custody.
Airport authorities said the confrontation unfolded amid a broader security investigation at Kansas City Aviation Department facilities.
In an update issued later Wednesday, officials said the airport had reopened and was operating normally after police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation cleared the scene.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Kansas City office said agents and airport police “worked quickly to evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of everyone, including evacuating travelers from the affected area of the terminal.”
Authorities ultimately determined there was “no credible threat” to the airport or those inside.
Earlier in the day, airport officials acknowledged they were investigating a potential threat, stating that airport police were working alongside the FBI “to substantiate any potential threat.”
No additional arrests related to the broader security investigation were announced.
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