A British Airways flight from Cancún to London Gatwick was thrown into chaos when a passenger became aggressive after being refused further alcoholic drinks, resulting in him being restrained with cable ties for the remainder of the journey.
Mid-Flight Meltdown Over Alcohol
The incident occurred aboard flight BA4245 on September 2nd as the aircraft made its way across the Atlantic. According to fellow passengers, the man became increasingly agitated when cabin crew members declined to serve him additional alcohol, citing his apparent intoxication level.
Restrained for Safety
Witnesses described a tense confrontation that escalated to the point where the captain authorised crew to use restraint equipment. The disruptive passenger was secured with plastic cable ties - standard issue on commercial flights for such emergencies - with his hands behind his back for several hours until the aircraft landed safely.
Fellow Passengers Describe Chaotic Scene
"He was getting increasingly angry and aggressive when they wouldn't serve him more drinks," one passenger recounted. "The crew handled it incredibly professionally, but it was quite frightening for those seated nearby. Seeing someone restrained on a flight is something you never expect to witness."
Police Intervention Upon Landing
Upon touchdown at Gatwick Airport, the situation was handed over to Sussex Police officers who met the aircraft. The man was escorted from the plane and subsequently interviewed by authorities. While no formal arrest was made, British Airways has confirmed the individual has been banned from travelling with the airline indefinitely.
Airline's Zero-Tolerance Stance
A British Airways spokesperson stated: "We do not tolerate abusive behaviour towards our colleagues or other customers. Our crew are trained to manage such situations, and we have banned this customer from travelling with us."
Growing Problem of Air Rage
This incident joins a worrying trend of disruptive behaviour on commercial flights post-pandemic. Airlines have reported a significant increase in passenger misconduct, particularly involving alcohol-related incidents. Aviation authorities have been pushing for stronger penalties to combat what they describe as an "unacceptable rise in air rage."
The restrained passenger now faces a flying ban with Britain's flag carrier and potentially other airlines, as carriers increasingly share information about disruptive travellers.
