An easyJet flight from London to Turkey was forced to divert after a drunk passenger allegedly spat at a fellow traveller, triggering chaos and panic at 30,000 feet. The incident occurred on a packed flight from Gatwick to Antalya, which should have been a routine family holiday journey.
Disruptive Behaviour Mid-Flight
According to witnesses, a man and a woman who were not travelling together began flirting after discovering they were both from Kent. They consumed alcohol excessively, with the woman reportedly drinking vodka straight from a bottle. The situation escalated when she allegedly spat at another passenger, leading to a confrontation.
The male passenger reportedly boasted about a past jail sentence and issued threats to anyone who complained. A fellow traveller described the scene as terrifying, saying, “When they were asked to stop drinking, it all kicked off. Passengers were forced to intervene and a riot ensued. Kids were screaming. It was a packed family jet but more like the Wild West.”
Emergency Diversion to Kosovo
The Airbus A320 was diverted to Kosovo, where police boarded the aircraft and removed both individuals. The remaining passengers were left shaken, and the flight arrived in Antalya approximately three hours late.
EasyJet issued a statement saying, “We do not tolerate disruptive behaviour. The safety of customers and crew is always our highest priority.”
Growing Calls for Tougher Action
This incident adds to concerns about unruly passengers on flights. Industry insiders suggest airlines may soon support broader bans on abusive flyers across the UK, as reported by The Sun. A similar incident in 2023 saw a drunk passenger urinate in the cabin, forcing a diversion and police intervention.
EasyJet and other airlines emphasise a zero-tolerance approach, warning that offenders face serious consequences including bans and prosecution.
