American Airlines Flight Delayed Because Of Coronavirus Joke

(Nashville, TN) — A man has been arrested after making a false claim of a coronavirus infection aboard an American Airlines flight.

Officials say the plane was delayed for takeoff by nearly eight hours in Nashville, Tennessee because of the incident. The unidentified man is said to have refused to lift his tray as the flight prepared to leave before claiming he was infected with COVID-19. Passengers began to worry, but the man was then removed from the plane by hazmat crews and police officers, who later explained the man was joking.

After the incident, crew members still refused to leave the tarmac for a few hours. There is no word on any charges the man may face.