NEW YORK- Saudia (SV) Boeing 777-300ER, registration HZ-AK37, operating flight SV21 from Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), requested airport security during its descent into New York after a passenger allegedly verbally abused cabin crew.
The Saudia flight crew told air traffic control that the male passenger was unruly and repeatedly used offensive language toward the cabin crew. The pilots asked security personnel to meet the aircraft at the gate after landing.
Saudia Crew Reports Disruptive Passenger on Flight SV21
The incident occurred aboard Saudia flight SV21, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER registered as HZ-AK37, while the aircraft was approaching JFK.
During communication with air traffic control, the crew reported that they were unable to coordinate with airport security before arrival because of a passenger who was causing problems onboard. The crew described the passenger as very rude and said he had directed bad words toward cabin crew members.
The pilots specifically requested airport security to receive the passenger after landing. Air traffic control confirmed the request and clarified that the situation involved a disrupted passenger requiring security assistance.
The crew later provided additional information about the passenger, identifying him as male and giving his seat as 58B. When asked about the threat level, the crew indicated that the passenger was awake and fine but remained verbally abusive toward the cabin crew.
Security Requested Before Landing at JFK
As Saudia 021 continued its descent, air traffic control coordinated the arrival details while keeping the security request in consideration.
The crew confirmed that the passenger was not permitted to continue speaking with the cabin crew after the incident. The request for security personnel was repeated during the approach to ensure that airport authorities were prepared for the aircraft’s arrival.
The flight was assigned Terminal 1, Gate 156 at JFK. The crew continued the approach under normal air traffic control instructions.
Saudia Boeing 777 Cleared to Land on Runway 22L
New York Approach instructed Saudia 021 to descend through several assigned altitudes and maintain a speed of 250 knots until advised.
The aircraft was subsequently transferred to Kennedy Tower and cleared to land on Runway 22L. The tower issued a caution for turbulence due to another heavy Boeing 777 ahead of the Saudia aircraft.
After landing, Saudia 021 was instructed to turn right onto Juliet, hold short of Runway 22R and contact ground control.
The available communication indicates that the security request was related to the passenger’s reported verbal behavior toward the cabin crew. It does not indicate that the passenger made a physical threat or that the aircraft faced an onboard security emergency.
Saudia 777 Pilots and ATC Comms
Here’s a detailed transcription between Saudia Boeing 777 pilots and New York JFK ATC as flagged by YouCanSeeATC:
Pilot: New York, Saudia 021 Heavy.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, go ahead.
Pilot: Yes, sir. We currently need to coordinate airport security upon arrival due to one of the passengers.
Pilot: He said a lot of rude words to our crew.
ATC: Saudia 021, you said you have a passenger that’s having a problem?
Pilot: The passenger is not polite at all. He’s saying bad words to our cabin crew.
Pilot: So, we need airport security to receive him upon arrival, please.
ATC: Saudia 021, just to make sure I understand you, you have a disruptive passenger, and you want security to meet you?
Pilot: We need security, yes, please, Saudia 021.
ATC: Saudia 021, roger.
Pilot: Thank you.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, stand by for a moment.
ATC: Saudia 021, I’ll get a report to you very shortly.
ATC: Saudia 021, contact New York Approach on 125.7.
Pilot: 125.7, Saudia 021.
New York Approach
ATC: Saudia 021, maintain 12,000.
Pilot: Saudia 021 Heavy, New York Approach, thank you.
ATC: Expect RNAV X-ray to the left, verify Delta.
Pilot: We got Delta for RNAV X-ray to the left, Saudia 021.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, do you understand the situation on the aircraft?
Pilot: We have an unruly passenger, seat number 58B, is arrival. We need security upon arrival.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, roger. You said 58B?
Pilot: Affirm.
ATC: Thank you.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, descend and maintain 9,000. Altimeter 29.98.
Pilot: Descend 9,000, altimeter 29.98, Saudia 021 Heavy.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, turn right heading 260, descend and maintain 5,000.
Pilot: Right heading 260, descend and maintain 5,000, Saudia 021.
Pilot: Speed restriction for Saudia 021?
ATC: Say again for Saudia 021 Heavy?
Pilot: Speed restriction?
ATC: Speed 250 until advised.
Pilot: Speed 250, Saudia 021.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, do you happen to know the gender of the passenger?
Pilot: He is male.
ATC: Roger, thank you.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, are you able to tell me the threat level of the passenger?
Pilot: Say again?
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, the supervisor is looking for the threat level of the passenger.
Pilot: He is fine. He is awake, but he is very rude with his words to the cabin crew, so he is not allowed to talk.
ATC: Roger.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, turn right heading 290.
Pilot: Right heading 290, Saudia 021.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, and what is the gate today?
Pilot: Terminal 1, Gate 156.
ATC: Thank you.
Kennedy Tower
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, Kennedy Tower, 119.1.
Pilot: 119.1, Saudia 021. Good day.
ATC: Good day, Saudia 021.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, confirm your approach.
Pilot: We are on N221.
ATC: N221. Caution for turbulence, following a heavy Boeing 777. Runway 22L.
Pilot: Runway 22L, cleared to land, caution for turbulence, Saudia 021.
Pilot: Cleared to land, Saudia 021.
ATC: Saudia 021 Heavy, turn right Juliet, hold short of Runway 22R, contact Ground.
Pilot: Turn right Juliet, hold short Runway 22R, contact Ground, Saudia 021.
No Major Flight Disruption Reported
The radio communications show the crew continued the flight and approach without reporting an operational emergency. Air traffic control handled the aircraft’s descent and landing normally while coordinating the requested security response.
The incident highlights how airline crews can request airport security assistance before arrival when a passenger’s behavior creates concerns for cabin crew or other passengers.
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