**Man Charged with Felony Assault After Unprovoked Attack on Cross-Country Flight**

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) – A mid-flight assault on a cross-country journey has led to felony assault charges for one passenger, authorities report. The incident, which shocked everyone aboard, took place on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia.

Everett Chad Nelson is accused of launching an unprovoked attack on a fellow passenger who was peacefully sleeping. An FBI agent detailed that Nelson repeatedly punched the victim in the face and head, causing significant injury and bleeding. The attack lasted about a minute before another passenger intervened and restrained Nelson.

United Airlines commended the quick response of both its crew and passengers. "Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, one passenger was restrained after becoming physically aggressive toward another customer," United stated. The flight, which carried 82 customers and six crew members, landed without further incident and was met by paramedics and local law enforcement.

The FBI affidavit reveals that Nelson, seated at the rear of the aircraft, used the lavatory at the front before the attack. The victim sustained bruises around his eyes and a cut on the nose, and blood was found on Nelson’s windbreaker. After the assault, Nelson was moved to a seat at the front and monitored by the passenger who stopped him. Authorities have not disclosed any prior connection between Nelson and the victim.

A public defender representing Nelson has not provided any comments. Following a federal magistrate’s ruling, Nelson will remain in custody until his trial, scheduled for December 11 in Alexandria. The court cited strong evidence against Nelson and his unstable personal circumstances as reasons for this decision.

The incident adds to a troubling trend of unruly behavior on flights, with over 1,700 such reports this year alone. While these incidents peaked in 2021, their frequency remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.