A flight operated by Southwest Airlines was forced to divert after a reported security incident on board, leading armed officers to board the aircraft and remove a passenger while startled travelers waited with their heads down.

Flight 2094 was originally traveling from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale but was redirected to Atlanta, landing shortly after 9 p.m. at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Authorities responded quickly after the crew reported a potential security concern involving a passenger.

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Atlanta Police Department investigated the situation and interviewed the individual involved. Officials later confirmed there was no credible threat and no charges would be filed.

Passengers said the situation unfolded rapidly. Julie Porter of Brentwood, Tennessee, said flight attendants suddenly began rushing through the cabin before announcing an emergency landing without offering many details.

“They didn’t really tell us anything except that we were going to be landing at the nearest airport,” Porter’s daughter Sarah said.

The family said the issue appeared to start after a dispute involving a passenger’s bag that would not fit under a seat, though they did not hear any specific threats.

As the plane landed, flight attendants repeatedly shouted instructions for passengers to put their heads down and hands up while authorities prepared to board. Moments later, armed officers entered the aircraft and escorted one passenger off the plane.

“When I saw guns drawn, I thought someone might get shot,” Sarah Porter recalled.

After the passenger was removed, officials conducted a thorough security sweep. A K-9 unit inspected luggage while passengers exited the aircraft one at a time, a process that took roughly four hours.

Travelers were eventually placed on another plane and continued to Fort Lauderdale, arriving around 3:30 a.m.

In a statement, Southwest Airlines praised its flight crew for handling the situation and apologized for the lengthy delay, emphasizing that passenger and employee safety remains the airline’s top priority.