A couple was arrested at Miami International Airport after trying to push past security and force their way onto an American Airlines flight to Cancún, Mexico.
The dramatic scene unfolded on Sunday, March 2, when Beatriz Rapoport de Campos Maia, 29, and Rafael Seirafe-Novaes, 40, arrived late for their flight and were denied boarding.
Instead of accepting their missed connection, they allegedly ignored security signs, shoved staff members, and tried to enter the jet bridge.
Things escalated when Maia threw coffee on airline employees, and the couple tried to push their way onto the plane.
Police were called, and officers had to physically restrain both passengers. The arrest was caught on video, with bystanders watching in shock.
A Desperate Attempt to Board
The couple had already taken two flights before arriving in Miami, where they were supposed to connect to American Airlines Flight 2494 to Cancún.
But when they got to the gate too late, they were told they could not board.
According to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the couple ignored posted “No Trespassing” signs and attempted to force their way down the jet bridge after being denied entry.
Eyewitnesses say Maia shoved two airline employees before throwing coffee at them. Meanwhile, Seirafe-Novaes refused to cooperate with police, pulling away from officers as they tried to restrain him.
Video footage shows officers tackling Seirafe-Novaes to the ground outside the gate, while Maia was grabbed by police and forced to sit down as her fiancé was arrested.
At least one airline worker was left covered in coffee after the incident.
Their Side of the Story
After spending the night in jail, the couple was released on bond the next day. Speaking to the media, they claimed the situation had been blown out of proportion.
“We had two exhausting connections. This was our second connection. We lost our trip to Cancún. We just got engaged, and what happened is a bad thing,” Maia said.
She denied throwing coffee, insisting that it simply spilled:
“Nobody threw coffee. The lady who said I threw it was lying. It just dropped on the floor.”
Seirafe-Novaes also denied resisting arrest, saying he had scrapes on his knees from how police handled him.
Witnesses and Airline Response
Passengers at the gate were shocked by the altercation, with some saying the couple’s actions were completely inappropriate.
One bystander told CBS News:
“I think it shows a lack of respect for people in general. Throwing coffee at someone is not okay. Even if it wasn’t hot, it’s still wrong.”
American Airlines also released a statement, making it clear that acts of violence are not tolerated:
“Law enforcement responded to the gate for two disruptive passengers. We are committed to working closely with authorities in their investigation.”
A Flight That Left Without Them
Despite the chaos, American Airlines Flight 2494 took off only 39 minutes late and landed safely in Cancún.
Meanwhile, Maia and Seirafe-Novaes never made it to their vacation.
Instead, they now face charges of battery, trespassing, and resisting arrest—a much different outcome than the celebration they had planned.
