Chaos erupted aboard a Ryanair flight from Krakow to Bristol when a reportedly intoxicated passenger refused to sit down for landing, forcing the aircraft into a holding pattern and culminating in a violent struggle with police on the runway.
In-Flight Mayhem and Delayed Landing
The incident unfolded on Tuesday, November 11, as the plane prepared to land at Bristol Airport. According to witnesses and video evidence, the unruly traveller, who was allegedly drunk, brazenly ignored repeated commands from cabin crew to take his seat.
Onlookers recorded the man smirking and swearing, flipping off another passenger as the situation escalated. His refusal to comply with safety procedures forced the pilot to circle the airport, delaying the arrival of the flight and causing significant disruption.
Runway Arrest Turns Violent
Upon finally touching down, the aircraft was met by officers from Avon and Somerset Police. However, the drama was far from over. Bodycam footage shows police calmly instructing the man to disembark, which he flatly refused to do.
The situation then exploded into a full-blown tussle in the aisle. Officers were seen wrestling with the disruptive individual, with one policeman forced to restrain him in a headlock as stunned passengers looked on. Ryanair later confirmed that police successfully removed the passenger from the aircraft.
A History of Disruptive Behaviour
This was not the passenger's first incident. A witness who filmed the ordeal revealed that the same man had allegedly caused chaos on the outbound Sunday flight from Bristol to Krakow.
On that previous journey, he was accused of consuming excessive alcohol, swearing constantly, and behaving inappropriately towards a young woman. He was also reported to have kicked off at border control after landing in Poland.
On the return flight, he initially appeared calmer, even asking the cameraman, "Do you remember me?" However, witnesses state his behaviour spiralled out of control once he started drinking on board. Families on the flight reportedly pleaded with him to be quiet due to young children nearby, which only sparked further arguments.
The removal of the passenger by police took over an hour, causing subsequent delays to the plane's next departure. A Ryanair spokesman reiterated the airline's "strict zero-tolerance policy" towards disruptive behaviour, emphasising its commitment to protecting passengers and crew.
