DENVER- Frontier Airlines (F9) pilot Andrew Brenneman faces charges after allegedly calling a fake bomb threat to harass his ex-girlfriend, a former flight attendant.
The incident targeted a flight from Cincinnati International Airport (CVG), preventing her attendance at a domestic violence hearing in Kenton County, Kentucky.
Photo: Frontier AirlinesFrontier Pilot Fake Bomb Threat
Andrew Brenneman, 25, joined Frontier Airlines (F9) as a First Officer in 2023. He began dating flight attendant Molly Burnam in November 2024, but the relationship ended five months later amid assault allegations.
Burnam reported that Brenneman threw her to the ground, placed his hands around her neck, and caused scratches and bruises in one incident. He also sent harassing text messages.
Burnam filed a police report in Kentucky, where Brenneman was based, leading to a May 9 court hearing for an emergency protective order.
One day prior, Brenneman allegedly phoned a bomb threat against the Frontier flight Burnam was boarding at Cincinnati Airport (CVG).
The threat named Burnam as planning an attack, prompting police to remove and question her before takeoff.
Authorities quickly cleared Burnam, allowing her to board another flight to attend the hearing. She informed police that Brenneman fabricated the threat to restrain her and block her court appearance.
Brenneman’s arrest occurred on July 4 at his home, with charges including domestic violence and harassing communications. Frontier suspended him after the protective order, though his current employment status remains unclear. Burnam resigned from Frontier in July.
Previous Pilot Arrest in Houston
Last year in August, a Frontier Airlines (F9) pilot was arrested on board an aircraft at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston.
The pilot was escorted off the jet bridge in handcuffs by law enforcement before being placed into a vehicle on the tarmac.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo registered as N332FR, was scheduled to operate Flight F9 from Houston (IAH) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) but was grounded following the arrest. The incident attracted attention after video footage circulated widely on social media.
Witnesses reported that the pilot, dressed in a Frontier Airlines uniform, was missing the usual insignia, such as wings and captain’s stripes. He carried standard pilot luggage, including a small carry-on and a flight bag. The absence of insignia has fueled speculation that the arrest was handled in a way intended to limit public recognition of the pilot’s rank.
Video footage showed the arrest taking place on the jet bridge stairs, a location visible to ground crew but not to passengers inside the terminal. The aircraft was scheduled to depart shortly before the arrest occurred, leaving passengers stranded and forcing the airline to cancel the flight.
Photo: N943FR Frontier Airlines 2005 Airbus A319-112 – cn 2518 “C… | FlickrSimilar Incidents
According to PYOK, comparable cases highlight the use of revenge tactics in the industry. In July 2024, United Airlines (UA) pilot Andrew Hill, 36, faced arrest for posting explicit revenge content against a former girlfriend, a flight attendant from over a decade prior.
Charges included distribution of intimate images, harassment, stalking, and online impersonation.
Hill allegedly created adult website profiles in her name, sharing private images and details she had only shared with him.
In 2023, an Argentinian flight attendant allegedly called a fake bomb threat against a Miami-bound flight carrying her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, both colleagues at the state-run carrier.
Prosecutors claimed the motive was to prevent his family’s visit.
Photo: Frontier Airlines planes stand at gates on the A Concourse at Denver International Airport in Denver.David Zalubowski | AP
Safety, Professionalism, and Consequences
Aviation professionals are entrusted with passenger safety, operational integrity, and public confidence.
Allegations of false bomb threats for personal gain reflect a critical lapse in judgment and raise legitimate concerns about an individual’s fitness to serve in such a role.
While the judicial process will determine the outcome of Brenneman’s case, such actions, if proven true, are often viewed as career-ending within the industry.
False threats not only endanger lives but also drain security resources, disrupt operations, and cause unnecessary distress to innocent individuals.
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The post Frontier Pilot Arrested for Fake Bomb Threat, Faces Charges appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
