Former MMA fighter kicked off Southwest flight after overhead bin meltdown [VIDEO]

Tex Johnson’s Meltdown Over Overhead Bin Space Goes Viral

Aaron “Tex” Johnson is a former MMA fighter known as much for his volatile temper as his time in the ring. Recently, he was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight on July 23, after a disruptive confrontation over overhead bin space. The entire incident was captured on video and posted on X (formerly Twitter). Therefore, quickly amassing over 2 million views.

The footage shows Johnson shouting profanities and refusing to comply with flight crew directions during the boarding process. The viral clip, captioned “Welcome to the no fly list” by @B1TuckerCarlson, has stirred a wave of reactions online. Also, a renewed scrutiny of air travel etiquette, passenger behavior, and airline policy enforcement.

The Viral Confrontation

According to eyewitness accounts and the video, Johnson became enraged when he was asked to relocate his carry-on bag to a different overhead bin. The confrontation began when he removed another passenger’s bag, slammed the bin door shut, and declared, “No, I’m taking a stand!”

Despite repeated attempts by flight attendants to de-escalate the situation, Johnson refused to back down. A blonde flight attendant is seen physically intervening. After that, pushing him toward the front of the plane while yelling, “Get off my plane!” Johnson leaned into her face, screaming back while continuing to resist.

Other passengers watched in stunned silence or began recording the incident. One man attempted to help the crew but backed off as the situation grew more intense. The entire cabin appeared to be on edge as Johnson pointed at the overhead bin while shouting obscenities.

Eventually, flight attendants and airport staff managed to escort Johnson off the plane. Applause and murmurs filled the cabin as he exited. Therefore, bringing the chaos to a close. The incident took place at Dallas Love Field, and security personnel were waiting at the jet bridge to take Johnson into custody.

Post-Incident Airport Breakdown

Shortly after being removed from the aircraft, Johnson was captured in another viral video, this time posted by @java_junkie34. In this follow-up footage, Johnson can be seen at the terminal. Thereby, falling to the ground in apparent emotional distress, shouting, “Bull! I’m being treated like a Black person right now because of the reason!”

The dramatic outburst further fueled online commentary, with many users criticizing Johnson’s behavior and others highlighting the broader issues of race, travel stress, and airline accountability.

Background on Tex Johnson

Aaron “Tex” Johnson is a 6’1″ American Jiu-Jitsu practitioner with a reputation for both athleticism and unpredictability. While he once held promise in the MMA community, Johnson’s volatile nature has made headlines in the past.

His social media presence is sporadic and cryptic. After the altercation, he posted a vague Instagram story alluding to being misunderstood and claimed he was standing up for himself. No apology or clarification about the incident was offered.

Airline Response and Consequences

Southwest Airlines has not yet issued an official press release on the incident. However, insiders suggest Johnson has been added to the airline’s internal no-fly list. Thus, meaning he will be banned from flying with Southwest moving forward.

While this list is separate from the U.S. government’s federal No Fly List maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center, such events can escalate and result in further penalties depending on the level of disruption and local law enforcement involvement.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations give flight crews broad authority to remove unruly passengers. The FAA has seen a surge in such incidents since the COVID-19 pandemic, often tied to increased tensions over mask mandates, flight delays, and carry-on baggage issues.

The Overhead Bin Crisis

Though it may seem minor, overhead bin disputes have become one of the most common flashpoints for in-flight altercations. As airlines tighten policies around checked luggage to cut costs, more passengers are opting for carry-ons, increasing competition for limited bin space.

Southwest Airlines recently made headlines by quietly rolling back their long-standing two-free-checked-bags policy. As more passengers cram belongings into the cabin, gate agents and flight crews are seeing more conflicts during boarding, especially on busy routes and in economy seating.

Public Reaction

Social media users wasted no time weighing in. Some applauded the flight attendant’s courage, calling her a “legend” for standing her ground despite being physically overpowered. Others expressed disappointment that male passengers did not intervene sooner.

“Legend has it the stewardess is still screaming OFF,” one viral comment read.

Critics of Johnson labeled his behavior as dangerous and self-centered, especially in an enclosed space with other travelers. “Overhead bin space isn’t worth ending up on a no-fly list,” another user wrote.

Some users expressed sympathy, questioning whether airlines are doing enough to prevent these conflicts. “This is what happens when you overbook flights and underserve customers,” one passenger advocacy account posted.

Crew Under Pressure

This incident sheds light on the growing responsibilities of flight attendants, who must juggle safety, customer service, and conflict resolution—often without compensation during boarding. In many airlines, including Southwest, crew members aren’t paid until the aircraft doors close, meaning high-stress confrontations like this unfold during unpaid labor.

Flight attendants are trained in de-escalation tactics, but as this case illustrates, their authority is often challenged. Many airline unions have called for stricter federal protections and hazard pay for handling disruptive passengers.

Ongoing Trends This Year

Johnson’s removal is just the latest in a string of similar events this year. In May, a woman was arrested after slapping a Delta flight attendant over luggage storage. In June, a man was kicked off a Virgin Airlines flight for refusing to stow a fanny pack.

The FAA has already issued over 1,500 unruly passenger reports in 2025, and experts say the trend shows no signs of slowing. Airlines are now exploring engineering solutions, such as redesigned bins, as well as policy changes to reduce friction during boarding.

Conclusion

The meltdown Tex Johnson had on this Southwest Airlines flight has become a viral flashpoint for deeper issues in modern air travel. It highlights the fragile balance between customer expectations, airline policies, and the responsibilities of flight crews.

As passengers demand more space and fewer fees while airlines streamline operations, confrontations like this may continue unless systemic changes are made. Whether Johnson faces legal consequences or broader flight bans remains to be seen, but for now, he serves as yet another cautionary tale in the era of airborne outrage.