Another charming display.
Unruly behavior on flights has surged since the pandemic, and another incident this week highlights the trend: a brawl broke out on an AirAsia X flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Chengdu, China.
The fight occurred after the cabin lights dimmed on the four-hour flight. A group of women was talking, and a father seated behind them asked them to be quiet so he could sleep. The women refused, and the man called them “stupid” and told them to “shut up.” As seen in a video posted on social media, a woman in a green outfit climbed over her seat to punch the man. According to another passenger on the flight, another woman joined in, and they began hitting the man, who ducked behind his food tray.
The woman who recorded the video said, “I don’t remember if the man asked the hostess to stop them from talking. But the cabin crew should not have allowed the situation to escalate. But when it was happening, they took charge and settled them down.”
In the video, crew members in red uniforms can be seen intervening and telling the woman to stop. The flight landed safely, but police were waiting at the airport and questioned those involved. It is not clear whether anyone was arrested, but the budget airline confirmed that an in-flight incident had occurred.
AirAsia said in a statement that the crew acted professionally to manage the situation and that the incident did not disrupt any schedules. The carrier also reminded passengers to behave respectfully: “The airline maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that may affect the comfort, safety, or experience of others onboard.”
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Flying Etiquette
Flying has become increasingly stressful—though that never excuses bad behavior. In such a charged environment, where you’re literally in a metal box thousands of feet in the air, there’s plenty you can do to stay comfortable and avoid inconveniencing others.
Start by being polite to flight attendants and following their instructions—they’re in charge. Don’t be the passenger who treats crew members like personal servants. Be mindful of fellow passengers. Check before reclining your seat, and keep your noise levels in check, whether you’re chatting, watching a movie, or playing a game. Use headphones, and if someone politely asks you to turn down the volume, do so—it’s their space too.
Related: This Is Why I NEVER Recline My Plane Seat
Of course, there will be times when a baby cries or someone nearby is having a little too much fun. Noise-canceling headphones can help in the former case, and a quiet heads-up to a crew member may resolve the latter. Flying isn’t always smooth, but a bit of extra patience goes a long way.
Also, remember that the Federal Aviation Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior. Any in-flight incident could result in hefty fines (up to $37,000) or jail time. Some airlines, like Ryanair, have even begun suing disruptive passengers—and bans are increasingly common for those who act out.