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The Uncrowned King Of Air Rage: What Happened To The 'Burger King Hat Guy' On The JetBlue Flight?

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The infamous "Burger King Hat Guy" incident remains one of the most shocking and widely-shared examples of air rage in the post-pandemic era, a moment of chaos captured on video that instantly went viral across social media platforms. The passenger, wearing a novelty Burger King crown, launched into a vicious, racist tirade against a fellow traveler and the flight crew, transforming a routine flight from Jamaica to New York into a terrifying spectacle for everyone on board. As of late December 2025, the story continues to be cited as a prime example of the extreme behavior that led to a massive increase in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforcement actions.

This article dives deep into the details of the 2021 incident, the identity of the passenger widely reported as "Ryan Brewer," the immediate consequences from the airline, and the lasting legal and social fallout from one of the most bizarre and aggressive confrontations ever recorded at 30,000 feet. The incident not only resulted in an immediate ban from the airline but also highlighted the severe penalties awaiting those who disrupt commercial air travel.

The Identity and Profile of the 'Burger King Hat Guy'

While major news outlets at the time of the incident were cautious about officially confirming the passenger's full name, online communities and subsequent reporting have widely identified the "Burger King Hat Guy" as Ryan Brewer. The details surrounding his personal life and background are largely unverified by official court documents, but the viral nature of the event has cemented his reported profile in the public consciousness.

  • Reported Name: Ryan Brewer
  • Reported Age (at time of incident): Circa 74 years old (based on unverified online sources)
  • Incident Date: Late 2020 / Early 2021 (The video went viral around October 2020)
  • Airline: JetBlue Airways
  • Flight Route: From Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) to New York, New York (JFK)
  • Distinguishing Feature: Wearing a novelty paper crown from the fast-food chain Burger King.
  • Alleged Cause of Tirade: A dispute over a seat or a perceived physical confrontation with a fellow passenger.

The man’s behavior, captured in a graphic video that circulated rapidly on platforms like Twitter and YouTube, showed him shouting racial slurs and aggressive insults at a woman and other passengers. His attire—the paper crown—created a stark and bizarre contrast to the severity of his actions, making the "Burger King Hat Guy" a memorable, albeit notorious, figure in the history of air rage incidents. The event took place while the aircraft was still on the ground, prior to the flight's departure from the Caribbean destination.

The Shocking Incident and Immediate Consequences

The confrontation, which occurred on a JetBlue flight preparing for departure, quickly escalated from a seating disagreement into a full-blown racist tirade. The widely shared video footage shows the passenger, identified as Ryan Brewer, screaming expletives and using racial slurs repeatedly at a woman he claimed had taken his seat and then kneed him in the stomach. The chaotic scene was a severe disruption, forcing the flight crew and ground staff to intervene immediately.

Details of the Racist Tirade

The video captured the man's aggressive and unhinged behavior, which included:

  • Repeatedly shouting the N-word and other racially charged insults.
  • Accusing a Black female passenger of assaulting him.
  • Shouting at other passengers and crew members who attempted to de-escalate the situation.
  • The man removed his mask and continued his verbal abuse, a detail that added to the public outrage during a period of strict COVID-19 protocols.

The response from the flight crew and fellow passengers was swift. Several passengers, including a man who physically restrained the "Burger King Hat Guy," worked to contain the situation until local police and airport security could arrive. The quick thinking of the crew and passengers prevented the incident from escalating further, demonstrating a growing intolerance for such disruptive behavior in the air travel environment.

JetBlue's Uncompromising Response

The airline, JetBlue, took immediate and decisive action against the unruly passenger. Corporate policies regarding passenger misconduct are clear, and the severity of the racist tirade warranted the harshest penalty the airline could impose.

  • Removal by Police: The man was removed from the aircraft by law enforcement officials at the airport in Jamaica.
  • Lifetime Ban: JetBlue confirmed that the passenger had been permanently banned from flying with the airline in the future. This is a common and severe consequence for passengers involved in racist or violent air rage incidents.
  • Flight Delay: The incident caused a significant delay for the flight, affecting numerous other passengers traveling to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The JetBlue ban serves as a powerful deterrent, sending a clear message that aggressive and discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated. This corporate response was widely praised by the public and air travel safety advocates. The incident also contributed to a broader conversation about the need for a unified "No-Fly List" for unruly passengers across all U.S. airlines.

The Lasting Legal and Cultural Fallout

The "Burger King Hat Guy" incident occurred during a period of unprecedented turmoil in air travel, marked by a massive surge in reports of unruly passengers to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This context is crucial to understanding the long-term consequences of the man's actions.

FAA Enforcement and Civil Penalties

While specific, definitive public records detailing a massive FAA fine for "Ryan Brewer" are difficult to locate years after the event, the incident is a perfect example of the type of behavior the FAA began heavily penalizing. The FAA has the authority to propose significant civil penalties—often tens of thousands of dollars—against any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with a crewmember’s duties. These FAA fines are separate from any criminal charges filed by local authorities.

The FAA adopted a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers in January 2021, shortly after this type of incident became a daily occurrence. Incidents involving racist tirades, physical altercations, and interference with a flight crew—all elements present in the Burger King Hat Guy event—typically result in the highest proposed fines. The FAA’s aggressive stance has led to the agency proposing over $1 million in fines against unruly passengers in a single year, highlighting the seriousness of the offense.

The Viral Legacy and Topical Authority

The video's virality ensured that the event became a cultural touchstone. The man's image, complete with the Burger King crown, became a widely shared meme, instantly recognizable as a symbol of air rage and entitled behavior. This viral video phenomenon had several lasting effects:

  • Public Shaming: The widespread distribution of the video served as a form of immediate public justice, permanently linking the man's face to the racist outburst.
  • Airliner Policy Shift: The incident, alongside other high-profile events, strengthened the resolve of airlines like JetBlue to implement and enforce strict passenger codes of conduct.
  • Media Entity: The "Burger King Hat Guy" is now a recognized entity within media and online discussions of commercial aviation safety and in-flight disturbances, often used as a cautionary tale.

In conclusion, the story of the "Burger King Hat Guy" is a stark reminder of the high price of disruptive and discriminatory behavior in the skies. While the man was removed from the plane and banned by JetBlue, his actions contributed to a national conversation about passenger accountability and the need for stricter enforcement. The incident, which started with a simple paper crown, resulted in a lasting legacy of infamy and a permanent ban from a major U.S. airline, a consequence far outweighing the cost of a fast-food meal.

The Uncrowned King of Air Rage: What Happened to the 'Burger King Hat Guy' on the JetBlue Flight?
burger king hat guy plane
burger king hat guy plane

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