My guess: setup for another lawsuit. Perfect camera positioning, and, as noted at The Jawa Report, I panic attack person is more likely to blather in his native tongue.

Passengers, show'em the door.

I think that we don't have enough information to speculate too much since we don't know what happened before the video starts. What it looks like to me is that the guy is already "in custody" when the video starts. They've placed those plastic cuffs on him--which leads me to believe that the guys around him are probably air marshals--and are gently restraining him.

Everyone else is trying to behave as normally as possible because, really, what else is there to do?

He's yelling because he's angry, scared, and just been restrained for some reason (that we can't know since we don't have video about the previous moments).

But what do I know? This is the first time I've seen the video. Now I'm off to read what other people are thinking.

The guys next to him (particularly the one closest to the camera) have law enforcement experience-- their demeanor, their comfort with placing hands on, their calming patter-- all typical of experienced cops. They knew what to do with the flex cuffs that were passed to them (although it looks like the guy slipped one hand out later).

But I'd guess off-duty or retired cops-- there are almost always off-duty or retired cops on flights that are more than willing to step up when needed. Most likely they were seated elsewhere, idetified themselves to the crew, and took these seats (which the orig occupants were happy to leave) when this guy went off.

Looks like a panic attack.

Looks like a panic attack Yep! Every panic attack I've ever had, I asked for people to shoot me! /sarcasm

Convenient video and angle, makes ya think for just a second it was staged in some way.
If that thought gets carried further then for what purpose, potential lawsuit and reaction/response maybe?
Anyway, Yes I agree the guys beside the nutbag knew their sh*t. It's just strange NO other passengers came by to say shut this asshole up? I woulda been the first person. The flight crew was probably informed of the situation and kept to their duties.

From the poster of the video (2003tiburon):

I don't know what happened here. But this happened on my Air Canada plane ride to London, England in December 6th, 2007 from Toronto.

At 3:15 sec he says "f'in white people". I personally believe that another passenger somehow provoked or encouraged this persons paranoid behaviour.

What is important is that everybody arrived safely.

I am no medical doctor so I have no idea what this man was going through, but I feel that he seemed more concerned for his own safety? I think he was scared. I think it's a very fascinating phenomenon.

My partner and I decided we should videotape this in the interest of sharing the experience we went through on this plane with those interested."

It's just strange NO other passengers came by to say shut this asshole up?

Actually, several passengers came by during the video. Plus, you don't know if this had already been going on for a long time (as indicated by the fact that the guy was already bound and restrained). But I suppose it's more fun to think something "strange" is going on and identify every fat person as Michael Moore.

Don't tase me, bro!

I suspect one of:

1) mentally unbalanced
2) attempt at lawsuit/shaming prompt reactions
3) probe to understand reaction and restraint methods

Hockey fan, his team lost. What's the big deal? Some new Canadians take the game verra seriously. As they should.

Could be the guy is unbalanced, panic attack, etc.

Could be a dry-run for a diversion and to identify who and where the air marshalls and other law enforcement types are located on the flight--i.e., get them gathered in the same location.

At any rate, assume the worst, always.

The passengers should hit him wiyh a "Personal Taser" swarm.

"Who you callin' white?"

I too think it was probably a probe.

He should have been checked medically to see if he was on drugs, and his medical history checked to see if he had any history of panic attacks or other behavior like this. If neither medical explanation holds, then it was a probe. Of course also a good interview to determine whether he had been under stress and worrying about something.

Questions about the video: did they give a copy to the authorities? Why did he think the man had been provoked? The comments of the camera man seem like aimless camouflage rather than an effort to analyze what really happened. Do a good interview with him also.