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Delta said the flight, which departed New York at 7 p.m. Monday, was diverted "due to safety reasons in regard to a passenger issue."
Klipin said he was seated next to a woman who attempted to recline her seat while a second woman, later identified as Amy Fine, 32, was trying to sleep with her head down on the tray table attached to the back of the seat.
"This woman sitting next to me knitting tried reclining her seat back, the woman behind her started screaming and swearing. The flight attendant came over and that exacerbated what was going on. She demanded the flight land," Klipin said.
Fine, of Boca Raton, Fla., was escorted off the plane by police and released following an interview, a Jacksonville Aviation Authority police report said. The report said Fine told officers she had been feeling very emotional at the time of the incident because two of her dogs had recently died.
The flight continued after Fine was escorted off the plane and it arrived at the Palm Beach International Airport shortly after 11 p.m. Airport officials said Fine was allowed to board a different flight following her release.