MIAMI — A passenger on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Tampa was removed by security forces following a loud argument with flight attendants for playing a phone video on speakerphone in the cabin. Video circulating on social media shows the woman repeatedly screaming and swearing at flight attendants before police led her off the aircraft. According to witnesses on the flight, the passenger had been causing a disturbance even before the plane left the gate at Miami International Airport. The woman admitted to playing a video on her phone using the speakerphone but stated it only played for about 30 seconds at approximately 50% volume. In a video posted on TikTok on February 26, the passenger argued that playing a short video was not a reasonable justification for being asked to leave the flight. According to her account, she stopped playing the video after receiving two warnings from flight attendants. Two police officers present on the plane tried to explain the situation and requested the passenger leave the cabin. During the dialogue, the woman questioned whether freedom of speech in the U.S. allowed her to express her opinion. One officer replied that she could express her views after leaving the passenger seating area. Security personnel then escorted the woman off the plane to applause from many other passengers on board. American Airlines has not yet issued an official comment on the incident. Amid ongoing controversies regarding speakerphone use on planes, United Airlines recently updated its contract of carriage, requiring passengers to use headphones when listening to music or watching videos on phones. Under these regulations, non-compliant passengers may be denied boarding or banned from using the airline's services in the future.

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