An easyJet flight from London to Turkey was forced to divert after a drunk woman spat at a passenger, sparking chaos, fights and panic onboard
An easyJet flight was forced into an emergency diversion after a boozing passenger allegedly spat at a fellow traveller and sparked chaos mid-air.
Shocked passengers described “terrifying behaviour” as a drunk man and woman ran amok on the packed flight from Gatwick to Antalya, turning what should have been a family holiday trip into a nightmare at 30,000ft.
The pair – who were not travelling together but struck up a flirtation after discovering they were both from Kent – are said to have downed alcohol before things spiralled out of control. Witnesses claim the woman was swigging vodka straight from a bottle before allegedly spitting at another passenger, triggering a confrontation.
Tensions quickly erupted, with the male passenger reportedly boasting about a past jail stint and issuing chilling threats to anyone who complained.
A fellow traveller said: “It was terrifying behaviour. 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.”
The situation became so serious that the Airbus A320 was forced to divert to Kosovo, where police boarded the aircraft and escorted both individuals off.
The disruption left the remaining passengers shaken and delayed, with the flight eventually arriving in Antalya around three hours late.
In a statement, easyJet said: “We do not tolerate disruptive behaviour. The safety of customers and crew is always our highest priority.”
The incident comes amid growing calls for tougher action against unruly passengers, with industry insiders suggesting airlines could soon back wider bans on abusive flyers across the UK, the Sun reports.
In a similar incident in 2023, a drunken airline passenger sparked outrage after allegedly urinating in the cabin mid-flight, forcing a dramatic diversion and police intervention on landing.
The incident saw the so-called “yob” lose control after drinking heavily, leaving fellow passengers stunned as the situation quickly escalated. Witnesses described how families were left horrified when the man allegedly relieved himself in full view of others before continuing to behave aggressively.
Crew members attempted to calm the situation, but the disruption intensified, with the passenger reportedly ignoring repeated warnings. Concerns over safety ultimately led the pilot to divert the aircraft, prioritising the wellbeing of those onboard.
Passengers later recalled the chaos, with some stepping in to help restrain the man while others tried to shield children from the scene. The atmosphere was described as tense and unsettling, with what should have been a routine journey turning into a distressing ordeal.
Upon landing, police boarded the aircraft and removed the individual, who was later dealt with by authorities. Airlines, including easyJet, have repeatedly stressed their zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour, warning that offenders face serious consequences including bans and prosecution.
