A routine holiday return flight turned chaotic when a violent confrontation broke out mid-air, forcing a Jet2 aircraft travelling from Antalya to Manchester to make an emergency diversion to Brussels.
Flight LS896, operated by Jet2, was en route to the United Kingdom when disorder among passengers escalated into a physical fight that spread through the cabin. Witnesses described scenes of panic as families, elderly travellers and children looked on in fear.
According to reports from BBC, the diversion followed what the airline called the “appalling behaviour of two disruptive passengers”. Crew members deemed the situation serious enough to request an unscheduled landing for safety reasons.
Video footage later shared online captured shouting, pushing and punches being thrown in the aircraft aisle. Cabin crew and several passengers could be seen attempting to restrain those involved while others moved away from the disturbance.
British tabloid Daily Mail reported that the violence intensified quickly, with seats knocked out of place and blood reportedly visible in parts of the cabin. Some passengers claimed teeth were left scattered on the floor after blows were exchanged.
Witnesses said the confrontation began after one traveller allegedly tried to grab another passenger’s mobile phone. The dispute escalated rapidly, with accusations of intoxication and aggressive behaviour adding to the tension onboard.
One of the men later detained was described as heavily drunk. Fellow passengers alleged he made racist remarks before becoming embroiled in an argument with cabin crew about smoking or cigarettes, which ultimately triggered the broader clash.
As the situation deteriorated, the captain opted for an emergency diversion to Belgium, prioritising passenger and crew safety. Travellers were informed over the intercom that the aircraft would land in Brussels, cutting short the direct journey to Manchester.
Upon landing on 12 February, officers from the Federal Police Belgium boarded the aircraft. Two men were removed and taken into custody while shaken passengers remained seated as authorities assessed the situation.
Police later confirmed the pair were briefly detained, identified and processed administratively. Their fingerprints and photographs were recorded as part of an investigation into alleged intentional assault before they were allowed to continue their journey under legal procedures.
Jet2 said the two disruptive passengers have been banned for life from flying with the airline. The company added that it would “vigorously” pursue them for the costs incurred by the diversion, which can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
In a statement, the airline reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward unruly behaviour. It apologised to customers and crew who experienced the disruption, praising staff for handling the emergency calmly and professionally.
Passengers described the ordeal as deeply unsettling. One traveller told reporters that the atmosphere turned “very physical” within minutes, with shouting echoing through the cabin and people scrambling to move away from the altercation.
“Passengers were distressed. People were frightened,” the witness said, noting that some families were visibly shaken and children began crying as the confrontation intensified.
Another traveller commended fellow passengers who stepped in to help calm the situation. Several reportedly intervened to separate the fighting men and comfort those who felt threatened, particularly individuals targeted by offensive remarks.
The flight crew also earned praise for maintaining composure. Despite the tense circumstances, attendants coordinated with the cockpit, kept passengers informed and ensured the aircraft landed safely without further injuries.
The pilot reportedly told travellers that during three decades of flying, he had rarely needed to make emergency landings and had never encountered such violent behaviour onboard.
Aviation analysts say incidents of unruly conduct have increased globally in recent years, prompting airlines to adopt stricter penalties and financial recovery measures. Diversions not only disrupt schedules but also pose significant safety and cost concerns.
For the passengers of LS896, what began as a routine trip home ended in an unexpected stopover and a reminder of how quickly order can break down at 30,000 feet.
