United Airlines is facing an online backlash today after video footage emerged of a passenger being forcibly removed from a flight that was overbooked.
A spokesman for the airline confirmed that flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked.
"After our team looked for volunteers, one customer refused to leave the aircraft voluntarily and law enforcement was asked to come to the gate," the spokesperson added.
"We apologise for the overbook situation. Further details on the removed customer should be directed to authorities."
The passenger who was removed is reported to be a doctor on his way back to work in a hospital in Louisville. He appeared to be bleeding in the footage that has emerged, and was also reportedly knocked unconscious as he was taken from the plane.
Onlookers on the plane recorded the incident, and videos have been shared on Twitter today.
https://twitter.com/Tyler_Bridges/status/851214160042106880
This is the second time this year that United has faced a storm of criticism over its treatment of passengers - last month, two teenage girls wearing leggings were barred from a United flight from Denver to Minneapolis for failing to meet a specific dress code, sparking furious debate online as to whether the ban was sexist or not.