A Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Portland, Oregon, turned chaotic when a inebriated passenger, 31-year-old Cody Sierra Marie Bryn, allegedly assaulted airline employees. Reports indicate she was charged with public intoxication, sexual assault, and disturbing the peace following her arrest on Wednesday.
Initially, Bryn refused to vacate the aisle, making it difficult for other passengers to board. Once she finally got up, she slammed into a Delta employee, pushing her back into her seat. The pilot had to intervene, instructing Bryn to leave the aircraft.
As she was escorted from the plane, Bryn reportedly attempted to get away and even tried to enter a secure area of the terminal. When an employee blocked her, she allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck and pulled her down, before twisting the employee’s breasts and yelling threats at her.
Witness accounts included Bryn saying something threatening, although the exact words she used weren’t specified in the affidavit. Following the incident, she ran towards the airport exit, only to be located later by police as she was trying to book a flight with a different airline.
When officers attempted to arrest her, Bryn reportedly resisted, causing them to forcefully restrain her. After the arrest, she denied any wrongdoing, claiming she hadn’t touched anyone. However, court records indicated she had been drinking earlier that day and appeared quite intoxicated.
Documents described her actions as erratic; she struggled to have coherent conversations and smelled strongly of alcohol, which impaired her ability to follow instructions. The airport and police department haven’t commented yet, and Bryn is currently in custody at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
Interestingly, since the pandemic, the number of alcohol-related incidents involving unruly passengers has significantly increased, prompting stricter measures at airports. Federal regulations allow for hefty fines—up to $37,000—for interfering with flight crew members.
Bryn’s first court appearance is set for next week. In response to the incident, a Delta representative emphasized the airline’s zero-tolerance policy towards abusive behavior on flights, reaffirming their commitment to passenger and crew safety during ongoing investigations.
