The Messianic Jewish author says a friendly conversation changed abruptly after he spoke about Jesus, preceding a violent confrontation, emergency landing and arrest.
Messianic Jewish author Jonathan Cahn has revealed that he was the previously unidentified passenger attacked during the violent confrontation aboard American Airlines Flight 618—a widely reported incident that ended with another passenger restrained using duct tape and zip ties.
Cahn says the confrontation followed an initially friendly conversation in which he shared his testimony and spoke about salvation through Jesus Christ.
American Airlines Flight 618 was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark on September 3 when the crew encountered what the airline described as a “disruptive customer” approximately two hours into the flight.
The aircraft diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and landed safely at approximately 10:15 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities arrested the passenger after the plane landed.
Cahn Identifies Himself as the Attacked Passenger
Cahn disclosed his involvement after photographs and videos of the restrained passenger spread across social media.
“I was the unidentified passenger,” Cahn said in his public account. “I was actually attacked 30,000 feet in the sky.”
Cahn told CBN News that he was returning home after promoting his new book, The Altar of Pergamon, when his assigned seat was unexpectedly changed.
He found himself sitting beside a man who initially appeared friendly. According to Cahn, the two spoke for roughly two hours about books, family and life.
Cahn said he quietly prayed for an opportunity to share God’s love and the message of salvation. When the conversation turned toward faith, he described his journey from atheism to belief in God and spoke about the power of Jesus Christ.
He said the passenger’s demeanor then changed abruptly.
Cahn described the man’s face, voice and disposition as suddenly becoming dark and hostile. He interpreted the transformation as spiritual and said it appeared as though something had taken control of him.
The private conversation and Cahn’s spiritual interpretation are based on his firsthand account. Authorities have not attributed the passenger’s conduct to the religious discussion or offered an explanation for his behavior.
Conversation Turns Into a Violent Confrontation
Cahn said the passenger began cursing Jesus and God before directing vulgar, racist and antisemitic statements toward people aboard the aircraft.
He alleges that the man placed his hands around Cahn’s neck, struck him and later attempted to seize his laptop. The two struggled over the computer as the flight prepared to make its emergency landing.
Cahn said the encounter damaged his laptop and reinjured a shoulder that had only recently recovered from an earlier injury.
Independent witnesses have corroborated key elements of the physical confrontation.
Passenger Juan Mejia told CBS News that he looked behind him and saw the disruptive traveler with his hands around the neck of the man seated beside him—now identified by Cahn as himself.
Mejia and fellow passenger Richard O’Lenick intervened when the confrontation escalated. The flight crew provided restraints, and the men helped secure the passenger to his seat with zip ties and duct tape during the remaining minutes before landing.
Mejia said he was bitten while helping restrain the man.
Passenger Faces Assault and Disorderly-Conduct Charges
The arrested passenger was identified in Maryland court records as 67-year-old Layne Arthur Lundeen, an Arizona real estate agent.
Lundeen faces state charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The charges are allegations, and he has not been convicted.
The FBI said it was interviewing witnesses and would consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges should also be filed.
American Airlines said it does not tolerate violence and thanked its crew members for their professionalism. The flight continued to Newark after the passenger was removed.
Long Realty subsequently announced that it had ended its professional affiliation with Lundeen, saying the reported conduct was inconsistent with the company’s standards.
What Is Confirmed—and What Comes From Cahn’s Account
The flight diversion, emergency landing, restraint, arrest and state charges have been confirmed through the airline, FAA, FBI, court records and multiple witnesses.
Witnesses also independently described aggressive behavior, racial and homophobic slurs, physical assaults and the attack upon the passenger seated beside Lundeen.
Cahn’s identity as that seatmate, the content of their private conversation and his understanding of the incident as spiritual warfare come primarily from Cahn himself.
That distinction does not require dismissing his testimony. It allows readers to understand which elements are independently documented and which reflect Cahn’s personal observation and spiritual discernment.
Cahn Responds With Prayer Rather Than Condemnation
Despite describing the encounter as demonic, Cahn said he does not want to condemn the man who allegedly attacked him.
Instead, he said he is praying for him and offered a direct message centered upon redemption: God loves him, Christ’s arms remain open, and forgiveness and a new beginning remain available.
That response may ultimately be the most consequential part of the story.
Cahn did not deny the danger, excuse the alleged violence or oppose the intervention needed to protect the aircraft. But after the man was restrained and arrested, Cahn continued to view him as a person for whom Jesus Christ died.
THRIVE! Perspective
Scripture does not portray spiritual warfare as imaginary. Ephesians 6:12 teaches that the believer’s ultimate struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
At the same time, Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Biblical discernment therefore requires believers to confront evil truthfully while remembering that no person is beyond the saving power of Jesus Christ.
The surrounding violence and emergency response are independently documented.
His final response offers the clearest Christian witness: protect the innocent, tell the truth, restrain violence when necessary—and continue extending the Gospel to the person who caused the harm.
