Nine passengers pulled off DC-to-Tampa flight

WASHINGTON, DC - Nine passengers were pulled off a Tampa-bound flight Sunday night after one of them made a comment to crewmember before takeoff, according to a United Airlines spokeswoman.

The group was aboard Flight 727, which was set to depart Dulles International Airport just after 10 p.m., when one of them made the comment, Megan McCarthy said.

She would not elaborate on the nature of the comment, or who the people were.

McCarthy said that United employees came to the gate and spoke with the crew, who said they did not want to travel with the group.

After speaking with passengers, United determined they could be re-booked on a Monday flight, McCarthy said.

Flight 727 was delayed about 2 ½ hours, but the plane did take off from Washington D.C. Sunday night. The remaining passengers landed in Tampa just before 2 a.m.