Brussels, Belgium – A Jet2 flight traveling from Antalya, Turkey, to Manchester, England, was forced to divert to Brussels Airport on Thursday after a violent altercation broke out between two passengers. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, led to the removal of the two individuals by Belgian police and a lifetime ban from the airline for both. The disruption underscores a growing trend of unruly passenger behavior on flights globally.
Flight LS896 took off from Antalya International Airport at approximately 6:27 PM local time, roughly 45 minutes behind schedule, according to Simple Flying. Approximately three hours into the flight, tensions escalated, culminating in a physical fight that prompted the diversion. The aircraft ultimately landed in Brussels and resumed its journey to Manchester, arriving around two hours late at 9:35 PM.
Videos circulating on social media platform X present two men exchanging insults before engaging in a physical altercation. Other passengers attempted to intervene, and a flight attendant was seen attempting to de-escalate the situation. One passenger reportedly managed to restrain one of the individuals involved, according to reports. The cause of the initial dispute remains unconfirmed, though some eyewitness accounts suggest the incident may have been sparked by offensive remarks, including alleged racist comments, made by one of the passengers, Fox News reported.
Jet2 has condemned the behavior as “appalling” and confirmed that the two passengers responsible will be banned from flying with the airline for life. The airline also stated it will pursue legal action to recover the costs associated with the flight diversion. “As a family-friendly airline, we take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour, and we are particularly sorry that other customers and our colleagues onboard had to experience this too,” the airline said in a statement, as cited by International Business Times.
Previous Incidents and Jet2’s Stance
This is not the first time Jet2 has imposed severe penalties on passengers for disruptive behavior. In 2022, the airline reportedly sought £50,000 (approximately $63,000 USD as of February 16, 2026) from two brothers following a similar incident that also resulted in a flight diversion. In 2017, another couple was banned after a physical altercation forced a precautionary landing. These actions demonstrate Jet2’s commitment to a strict policy against disruptive conduct.
Rising Concerns Over “Air Rage”
The incident on the Jet2 flight is part of a broader trend of increasing “air rage” incidents globally. Data from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates a nearly 400% increase in violent outbursts on flights between 2019 and 2025, The New York Times reported. Experts attribute this rise to a combination of factors, including increased passenger stress and the confined spaces of commercial flights.
The incident highlights the challenges airlines face in managing passenger behavior and ensuring the safety and comfort of all travelers. Diversions due to unruly passengers are costly, both financially and in terms of disruption to travel plans. Airlines are increasingly adopting zero-tolerance policies and pursuing legal action against those who engage in disruptive conduct.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and further details may emerge as the investigation progresses. The focus now shifts to the legal proceedings Jet2 intends to pursue to recover the costs associated with the diversion and the broader implications for passenger safety and airline policies.
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