Honduran man arrested after bomb threat on United flight to New Orleans

Rony Gomez-Alberto, 34, was arrested at Louis Armstrong International Airport after telling the crew of a United Airlines flight he had a bomb on board.

The incident occurred on United flight 2174, which was traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans. At approximately 11:20 p.m. on November 11, 2026, authorities said Gomez-Alberto began acting irrationally and informed flight attendants of a suspected explosive device. The Department of Homeland Security stated he also attempted to enter the cockpit during the journey.

The aircraft landed safely at Louis Armstrong International Airport. All 46 passengers and six crew members disemboked and moved to the terminal without further issues. Gomez-Alberto was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Deputies from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office booked him on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also filed a detainer against him. Homeland Security identified Gomez-Alberto as a criminal illegal alien from Honduras.

The man has been removed from the United States twice previously. A judge released him a third time while removal proceedings were pending. His prior criminal record includes felony bomb threat, felony threat, terroristic state offenses, and disorderly conduct.

The flight carried no other reported injuries or damage. The plane returned to service following the standard inspection procedures for such incidents.