Mid-Air Chaos: Brawl Forces Jet2 Flight to Divert to Brussels
Dramatic scenes unfolded aboard a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Manchester yesterday evening when a mass brawl erupted between British passengers, forcing the aircraft into an emergency diversion. The violent altercation, captured in shocking footage, shows travellers screaming as punches were thrown and passengers wrestled aggressively in the aisle mid-air.
Chaos Spreads Through Cabin
Chaos quickly spread throughout the cabin, with terrified families and elderly travellers becoming caught up in the disorder. Witnesses reported seeing blood on seats and teeth scattered across the floor, painting a grim picture of the violence that transpired at 30,000 feet.
The situation reportedly began when one passenger attempted to snatch another traveller's mobile phone, sparking the initial confrontation. According to passenger accounts, one of the individuals involved had been drinking heavily and making racist remarks prior to the incident escalating into a physical altercation with cabin crew over cigarettes.
Emergency Landing in Brussels
The pilot was forced to divert the aircraft to Brussels, where police immediately boarded upon landing and took two individuals into custody. One passenger described the terrifying atmosphere: 'At one point it became very physical. Passengers were distressed. People were frightened. The atmosphere turned chaotic.'
Another traveller praised fellow passengers and crew: 'Respect to the passengers who stood up against the racism, including the kind person who sat with and comforted those shaken. The Jet2 crew dealt with the situation calmly and professionally.'
Pilot's Unprecedented Experience
The pilot later informed passengers that in his thirty years of flying experience, he could count his emergency landings on one hand, adding that he had never witnessed an incident as violent as this mid-air brawl. Following the unscheduled diversion and police intervention, the aircraft eventually continued its journey to Manchester.
Jet2 has condemned the behaviour as 'appalling' and confirmed that those involved will face lifetime bans from the airline. The incident highlights growing concerns about passenger behaviour on commercial flights and the challenges faced by cabin crew in maintaining order during international travel.
