Ramadan prayer timer sets off tense midair diversion on Southwest flight
A series of airline security incidents over the weekend left passengers shaken and disrupted flights in several cities, though authorities say none involved a credible threat.
The most dramatic event occurred Friday night on Southwest Airlines Flight 2094, which departed Nashville International Airport at 7:15 p.m. en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Video shared by Only In Dade showed passengers with hands raised and heads down as law enforcement officers boarded the plane and removed one passenger.
About 30 minutes into the flight, passengers said flight attendants appeared agitated while running up and down the aisle before making a startling announcement.
“They came over the loudspeaker, instructing passengers to put their heads down and hands up,” passenger Sarah Porter told WKRN. Her mother, Julie Porter, added, “We didn’t know if it was something mechanical or medical.”
Southwest Flight 2094 was diverted to Atlanta and passenger was detained reportedly over a bomb threat.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 7, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration said the crew reported a “passenger disturbance,” and the flight was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, landing around 9 p.m. Southwest Airlines described it as a “possible security matter.” NBC News later reported that the incident involved a passenger who had set a timer on his phone for prayer during Ramadan.
Sarah Porter said the presence of armed officers made the situation clear. “The first time I knew there was someone dangerous on the plane was when the SWAT team came on and started yelling at us,” she said.
Passengers waited on the tarmac for roughly an hour before officers surrounded the plane. Once deplaned, K-9 units inspected all bags. Travelers were eventually allowed to board a replacement flight and arrived in Fort Lauderdale just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday.
The FBI and Atlanta Police Department interviewed the passenger and determined there was “no credible threat,” with no charges filed. Southwest Airlines stated the diversion was “out of an abundance of caution due to what turned out to be a misunderstanding of a Customer’s behavior,” adding, “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its Customers and Employees.”
Julie Porter said she understands heightened vigilance but still has questions. Sarah added that her family will be more cautious on future flights.
In another incident Sunday, parts of Kansas City International Airport were evacuated after officials received a call about a potential device in the terminal and parking garage. Inbound flights were held on taxiways during the two-hour investigation.
K-9 units flagged a vehicle in the parking garage, but Kansas City Police Bomb and Arson investigators later confirmed no threat. Normal airport operations resumed Sunday afternoon.
The FBI’s Kansas City field office said the threat “was not credible” but that the investigation is ongoing. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy thanked law enforcement, emphasizing that passenger and airport safety is the top priority.
Sunday night, American Airlines Flight 5458 at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport was cleared after passengers deplaned due to a reported security concern. Authorities confirmed the plane was swept and cleared, with no threat found.
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