Passenger Alexander Tung Cuu Le has been charged after he reportedly punched a flight attendant in the back of the head on an American Airlines flight, officials said.

Le asked to take a vacant first-class seat, but was then refused by the cabin crew. The passenger then stood in a two-fisted fighting stance and swung an arm at the crew member but missed.

Acts of violence against our team members are not tolerated by American Airlines,โ€ the airline said in a statement. โ€œThe individual involved in this incident will never be allowed to travel with us in the future, and we will work closely with law enforcement in their investigation.

The incident occurred on American Airlines flight 377 from San Josรฉ del Cabo, Mexico, to Los Angeles International Airport on September 21.

According to a statement from an FBI special agent supporting the complaint, the in-flight confrontation began when Le got up from his seat and asked for coffee during beverage service, grabbing one flight attendant by the shoulders.

Law enforcement officers met the aircraft upon arrival, and arrested the passenger. The airline thanked the crew members and said the airline was giving them the support they need.

The passenger has been banned for life by the airline. He was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, the Department of Justice said.

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