United CEO's response to passenger being dragged off plane made the situation even worse (UAL)

United Airlines' CEO has responded to viral footage of a man being dragged off one of its planes.

According to a person who says they were on the flight, the airline needed room on the overbooked aircraft to reposition crew for another flight. But when it couldn't find enough volunteers, even after offering $800, the airline selected the man and several other passengers to deplane.

But the man refused and was dragged off by aviation officers.

According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, the officers attempted to carry the man off when he fell and hit his head on an armrest. He was then taken to Lutheran General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

"I apologize for having to re-accommodate those customers," CEO Oscar Munoz said in a statement posted to the airline's Twitter account.

Some people are now threatening to boycott the airline, using the hashtag #BoycottUnited.

Here's the statement:

Initial reactions to Munoz's response were negative.

The head of the hedge fund Altimeter Capital, which is one of United's largest shareholders, also weighed in on the event.

Brad Gerstner said he was disgusted by the treatment of the passenger.

SEE ALSO: People are freaking out that United told women they couldn't wear leggings on a flight — here's what really happened

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