Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 146; Flight Crew Total 11933; Flight Crew Type 580
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Police / Security Involved
Human Factors
Just after I had left the flight deck for my scheduled crew rest; I was called by the purser to inform me of an incident in the cabin with a passenger who had become verbally abusive. He was demanding more liquor and called the purser names. He had shown the threat of physical violence by displaying his pumped up biceps and saying he was going get physical. He  announced the he was a One K; he paid our salaries and would sue us and the airline and have our jobs if he was not served. The purser stated that he felt unsafe and wanted this passenger off the airplane. I felt that at this point it would be better to talk to the purser face to face. I hung up the phone and went to the aft galley where the purser was trying to separate himself from the passenger to deescalate the situation. He repeated the story which was confirmed by an additional flight attendant. While they were relating the story the passenger entered the aft galley. I turned to the passenger and told him he needed to return to his seat. He demanded a 'double whiskey!' I continued to tell him he had a choice to return to his seat or he would force me to divert the aircraft. He demanded a double whiskey and started to bow up and flex his muscles. Fearing a physical escalation the purser grabbed me by the shoulder and moved me away from the passenger. Leaving him with the other two flight attendants in the aft galley. He continued his demands and threats. I returned to the flight deck with the purser and we discussed our options including dispatch on the satellite phone. The consensus was we did not want this to escalate. We coordinated a divert with ATC and dispatch. We dumped approximately 10;000 pounds of fuel. Once the cabin was secured I made an announcement that we were diverting at which time the passenger hid in the lavatory for a period of time. He did return to his seat for landing and left the airplane without incidence with the Port Authority Police.
B777 Captain reported diverting due to a threatening intoxicated passenger.