Southwest Airlines Flight 2094: Nashville Bomb Threat Scare Ends With No Charges — Passenger Was Speaking His Native Language
A frightening Friday night aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 ended without criminal charges. The Nashville-to-Fort Lauderdale flight was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after passengers and crew reported a possible security threat — but the FBI ultimately concluded the incident was a misunderstanding. The passenger was speaking in his native language, not making threats.
What Happened on Southwest Flight 2094
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 departed Nashville International Airport around 7:15 p.m. ET on March 6, bound for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Approximately one hour into the flight, the aircraft was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, landing safely at about 9:06 p.m.
A Brentwood family aboard the flight told Nashville NBC affiliate WSMV they first noticed something was wrong when flight attendants began rushing up and down the aisles. Passenger Julie Porter said the crew's urgency was alarming. Her daughter Sarah said the only information passengers received was that the plane would make an emergency landing, though they were not told where. The Porters said the male passenger later removed had initially appeared upset that his bag was too large to fit under the seat.
SWAT Teams Board the Aircraft — Passenger Handcuffed
Video circulating online captured the moment after the Nashville flight diverted to Atlanta. Multiple officers in full tactical gear were seen heading down the narrow aisle toward the back of the plane, before removing a man from his seat and handcuffing him.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, the passenger was apprehended, taken away, and handed over to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
FBI and Atlanta Police Determine No Credible Threat
The FBI said the passenger was simply speaking in his native language and that it was determined to be nothing threatening. Due to this, no charges were filed and he will not be publicly identified. The FBI did not say which language the man was speaking.
The FBI said in a statement: "Those on board reported a potential threat. Every threat is taken seriously. Once APD and FBI were able to investigate the situation, it was determined no credible threat existed and no charges will be filed."
Passengers Stuck 80+ Minutes Before Continuing to Fort Lauderdale
Passengers were stuck on the ground in Atlanta for over 80 minutes before the all-clear was given. All passengers were required to disembark the plane and were reaccommodated onto a new aircraft. The flight ultimately left Atlanta for Fort Lauderdale at 2 a.m. and landed at 3:20 a.m. Southwest Airlines said: "We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and sincerely apologize to our Customers for the significant delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its Customers and Employees. We have reached out to all of the Customers to apologize for the situation."
Context: A Week of Airport Security Scares Across the US
The Southwest Flight 2094 Nashville scare was one of two major airport security incidents in a single weekend. The incident comes during a period of elevated national anxiety and heightened vigilance at airports across the United States, with social media commentary raising questions about federal security staffing levels at agencies including the TSA.
Just hours later on Sunday, March 8, Kansas City International Airport was evacuated over a separate bomb threat — which the FBI also declared not credible and cleared within two hours. The back-to-back incidents have placed national aviation security under renewed scrutiny heading into the busy spring travel season.
