Unruly airline passenger who had to be duct-taped to seat after N-word meltdown fired from Arizona realty company

NY Post ^ | 09/07/2026 | Zoe Hussain

[DFG]

A belligerent passenger who was duct-taped and zip-tied after hurling slurs on an American Airlines flight was fired from an Arizona realty company over his “concerning criminal charges.”

Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, was axed from his job as a real-estate agent at the Tucson-based company Long Realty after he was identified as the lunatic who hurled the N-word at a flight attendant and shouted anti-gay insults on American Airlines flight 618 Thursday night.

“Long Realty is aware of reports concerning criminal charges filed against a former affiliated real estate agent arising from an incident that allegedly occurred during a commercial flight,” Long Realty wrote in a statement on Facebook Sunday.

“Upon learning of the incident, Long Realty promptly ended its affiliation with the individual. The individual is no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity,” the company said.

“The conduct described in the reports is wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those affiliated with the company.”

We expect those associated with our company to uphold those values, and we have no tolerance for conduct that so clearly falls short of those expectations,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew members, and others affected by this incident.”

Lundeen’s LinkedIn said he was a vice president at Long Realty in Tucson. However, his profile had been scrubbed from the company site.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: americanairlines; arthurlundeen; longrealty; tucson

[MayflowerMadam]

“I doubt this is what got him restrained and arrested.”

He physically attacked at least one person.

I would hope your that saying a racist word wouldn’t result in full-body duct taping. A piece of over the mouth should be sufficient - if even that.

If he said even one little thing that could be perceived as a threat to a flight attendant, I believe that’s illegal and warrants more duct tape. 😀

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

I’m surprised a guy that age would be so stupid as to say those things in public. Alcohol must have been involved.

[Dr. Sivana]

Oh, my. I just had a disorienting plunge into the past. I don’t think I loved the strip, but I read it every Sunday.

Hi & Lois is not a laugh out loud comic. The Flagstaffs are friends, likeable people with a heartwarming or even wry moment.

I am sorry they took away Thirsty's cigar and beer cans strewn in the yard. That was like taking away Andy Capp's perpetual cigarette butt (and real scrapping with Flo) and Mark Trail's pipe.

[rightwingcrazy]

It’s interesting that the plane crew just happened to have a supply of duct tape on hand for this purpose.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’m surprised a guy that age would be so stupid as to say those things in public.

ESPECIALLY a realtor who works with the general public constantly, including black people and perverts. This is a field where the protected class business is made explicit.

[Wilderness Conservative]

Being disruptive on a flight is the crime. The N word is usually justified.

[nwrep]

I agree. This is way excessive. The duct taping was sadistic torture. They did this to him because he is white. A black guy and a Hispanic guy tied him up.

[Jane Long]

Excessive? Many prefer not to fly, but, when they do they prefer to NOT have their seatmates try to strangle or bite ...

Here’s an overview, from AI ...

The sequence described by witnesses is Arthur (Layne) Lundeen became violent (grabbing a seatmate’s throat, striking others).

Other passengers, including Juan Mejia and Richard O’Lenick, moved in to hold him.

During that physical struggle he bit Mejia.

Multiple passenger accounts say Lundeen bit Mejia on the hand during the struggle to restrain him.

A flight attendant then provided zip ties.

He kept fighting and trying to bite, so they used duct tape on his body.

He continued trying to bite/head-butt, so they added tape around his head (leaving his mouth uncovered so he could breathe).

[bankwalker]

go easy on him ... he probably just had some hormone issues ...

[lee martell]

How did you guess?

[Jane Long]

It will be interesting to see what his defense attys try to claim!

[BipolarBob]

He probably just picked a bad week to quit sniffing glue.

[CodeToad]

Something tells me he is going to win a big lawsuit.

[LouAvul]

I’ve used duct tape a million times. Yet I’ve never used it for duct work.

[tlozo]

hurled the N-word at a flight attendant and shouted anti-gay insults

Don't mess with the flight attendants.

Federal law strictly dictates that passengers must obey crew member instructions, and interfering with a flight attendant is a federal crime

[al baby]

Well that the way the escrow flies

[ridesthemiles]

YES

[Jamestown1630]

The only thing I really remember is the baby and her sunbeam. I liked that.

[Coronal]

He attacked another passenger, creating an extremely hazardous situation for everyone else aboard. What were they supposed to do?

[CodeToad]

He attacked, or was he also attacked and threatened?

See, we do not have the facts. I will certainly not defend nor condemn him. Often mob tule violates individual rights.

Seems so far they merely did not like his words.