Jet2 Bans Two Passengers for Life After Mid‑Air Brawl on Flight

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A holiday flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom was plunged into chaos last week when two passengers engaged in a violent mid‑air brawl, forcing the plane to divert and prompting lifetime flight bans from British airline Jet2. The incident has reignited concerns about unruly passenger behaviour and airline safety on international routes.

The disturbance occurred on Jet2 Flight LS896, which had departed Antalya, Turkey, bound for Manchester on 12 February. According to eyewitnesses and airline officials, the fight began after tensions erupted between two passengers — reportedly fueled by excess alcohol and allegations of racist remarks directed at fellow travellers — and quickly escalated into a physical confrontation in the aisle, leaving passengers and crew members alarmed.

With punches thrown and the situation spiralling out of control, the pilot made an emergency diversion to Brussels Airport in Belgium to ensure the safety of everyone on board. Belgian police officers boarded the aircraft upon landing and removed the two disruptive men, who were then taken into custody before the flight continued on to Manchester later that evening.

In an official statement, Jet2 confirmed that both individuals had been banned from flying with the airline for life. The carrier also said it intends to pursue legal action to recover the significant costs incurred as a result of the unscheduled diversion — expenses that can run into tens of thousands of pounds for fuel, crew time and airport handling fees.

Jet2 emphasised its zero‑tolerance policy on disruptive passenger behaviour, underlining the airline’s commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all travellers. “As a family‑friendly airline, we take disruptive behaviour very seriously,” the airline said, adding that such actions jeopardise both safety and the comfort of other passengers.

The incident adds to a wider trend — flagged by aviation safety organisations — of rising unruly passenger episodes in recent years, often linked to alcohol, stress and non‑compliance with cabin crew instructions. Airlines and regulators alike continue to grapple with how best to deter and penalise such behaviour to protect safety above all.

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