An in-flight confrontation between a flight attendant and influencer Kobe Peter “Twoey King” Nguyen has gone viral, sparking heated online debates and drawing attention to aviation safety rules.
The incident occurred on August 4 during an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to San Francisco, where Nguyen was accused of vaping in the airplane bathroom, leading to a tense exchange that he later shared on Instagram.
Heated Exchange at 30,000 Feet
In the now widely circulated video, Nguyen — who describes himself as a celebrity pickleball coach and agent — claimed that a flight attendant forcibly opened the bathroom door while he was inside. The flight attendant can be heard telling Nguyen that smoking on board is a “hazard,” prompting him to accuse her of invading his privacy.
“I was actually sitting on the toilet and you were opening the door,” Nguyen said in the clip, before offering an apology.
“You can keep saying you’re sorry, but I care about all these passengers,” the woman replied, pointing to others in the cabin. The argument escalated when the attendant noticed Nguyen was recording, allegedly attempting to grab his phone — something Nguyen claimed was physical contact.
Another flight attendant joined the exchange, denying that any contact had occurred. Nguyen insisted otherwise, stating repeatedly, “She put her hands on me.”
Threats to Go Public and Police Involvement
Nguyen, who told the crew that he was a lawyer, continued to assert that touching a passenger was unacceptable. He also admitted to taking “one puff” of his vape in the bathroom but maintained that the attendant’s actions were uncalled for.
At one point, Nguyen warned the staff: “I have 25,000 followers that are going to watch this. Do you want me to release this or do you want to say sorry to me right now?” The flight attendant eventually apologized, but Nguyen vowed to call the police upon landing.
American Airlines later confirmed in a statement that San Francisco police met the flight and escorted a passenger out for “disruptive behavior.”
Airline Policy and Legal Consequences
Following the incident, Nguyen reiterated to PEOPLE that he found the encounter “deeply distressing — emotionally, professionally and financially.” He rejected online claims that he had been blacklisted by the airline.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strictly prohibits smoking or using electronic cigarettes on commercial flights, citing safety concerns such as the risk of fire or extreme heat. Violations can lead to significant fines and are treated as federal offenses.
Nguyen continues to face a flood of criticism on social media, with the video fueling ongoing debates about passenger conduct, flight crew authority, and in-flight privacy.