Jet2 hands two passengers life ban after mid-air brawl on flight to Manchester
Two travellers have been banned from a British airline for life after a mid-air brawl on a holiday flight forced an emergency landing in Brussels and disrupted the plane's service to Manchester. The incident has prompted a police investigation and renewed scrutiny of unruly behaviour on commercial aircraft.
Emergency diversion and arrests
The flight, LS896, took off from Antalya, Turkey en route to Manchester but was diverted to Brussels after a series of confrontations in the cabin. Crew and fellow passengers struggled to separate the individuals involved as the disturbance escalated. The plane landed in Brussels and police boarded, removing two men who were arrested and later handed over to prosecutors. The remainder of the flight continued to Manchester just after 5: 00 p. m. ET on Feb. 12.
Belgian authorities said the two men were "briefly deprived of their freedom administratively" and were considered still intoxicated at the time. Their identities were recorded and fingerprints and photographs were taken. An official report has been filed for intentional assault and battery and the public prosecutor's office said the investigation remains ongoing and appropriate action will be taken.
Airline response and wider implications for flights Manchester Airport receives
The airline moved swiftly after the incident, imposing lifetime bans on both passengers and announcing it will pursue the financial costs of the diversion. the carrier described the behaviour as "appalling" and repeated its commitment to a "zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour, " emphasising its position as a family-friendly operator.
Videos circulating online showed multiple people crowding into the aisle as blows were exchanged and crew members tried to intervene. Passengers in the footage can be heard pleading for calm while flight staff urged restraint and attempted de-escalation. No serious injuries have been confirmed publicly, but the episode added to concerns about in-flight safety and the toll that disturbances take on both crew and fellow travellers.
The episode is likely to draw attention as airports and carriers contend with a rise in mid-flight disruptions in recent years. Airlines say diversions, delays and additional security measures imposed in the wake of fights and drunken behaviour carry significant operational and financial costs. This event will be cited by carriers and airports when outlining measures to protect staff and passengers, and when seeking compensation for disruption to scheduled services.
What happens next
Local prosecutors will continue to examine the case and decide whether formal charges will be brought for assault and battery. The airline has confirmed its administrative sanctions are in place and that it will seek recovery of diversion costs. Meanwhile, passengers and crew affected by the diversion may pursue complaints or compensation through the carrier's established customer service channels.
For Manchester-area travellers and airport operators, the incident is a reminder of the potential for single episodes of misconduct to ripple across flight schedules and passenger experience. Authorities and airlines are likely to stress the importance of responsible conduct on board while continuing to refine procedures for managing serious disruptions.
