An EasyJet flight from Turkey to Gatwick was forced into an emergency landing after a violent outburst from a teenage passenger.
The 16-year-old reportedly flew into a rage after a disagreement with a young girl, causing the flight to divert unexpectedly to Bari, Italy, instead of landing at its intended destination in Gatwick.
Passengers described the situation as chaotic, with some physically sick and others frightened by the teenager’s threatening behavior.
Incident Unfolds Mid-Flight
The trouble started when the teenage girl, seated a few rows behind a 10-year-old, became upset after the young girl started coughing.
According to witnesses, the older girl demanded the child stop, leading to a confrontation.
When the child went to the bathroom to avoid further conflict, the teenage girl followed her, continuing to shout and refuse to let her leave.
The situation escalated as the child’s mother intervened, with the teenager yelling at her and causing distress for those nearby.
Nadine, 39, who was traveling with her daughter, Jernai, 19, described the experience as a “fight from hell” that ruined their holiday.
She explained how the situation rapidly spiraled out of control, with the teen ignoring the flight attendants’ requests and eventually trying to open the emergency exit door.
In the chaos, the girl broke the handle and had to be restrained by the crew.
Meanwhile, she threatened to stab a crew member while other passengers attempted to calm the situation.
A Flight Full of Fear
As the teen continued her violent outbursts, a woman fell into the plane’s toilet after being knocked by the teenager’s movements.
This only added to the panic, as passengers were already distressed and nervous.
At one point, the teenager removed her shoes and threw them at fellow travelers.
The tense atmosphere led to the pilot announcing the need for an emergency landing due to safety concerns, lowering the altitude of the flight to reach Bari.
Aftermath and Lack of Support
Upon landing in Bari, the passengers were ushered off the plane and into hotel accommodations.
However, Nadine expressed frustration over EasyJet’s lack of immediate support.
She claimed that the airline did not provide enough assistance, leaving passengers without food or water during the delay.
The unsanitary conditions at the hotel, including dirty sheets, moldy bathrooms, and broken windows, further added to the distress.
Nadine also revealed how the incident caused physical and emotional strain, leaving her and her daughter both ill from the stressful experience.
No Apology from EasyJet
Despite the ordeal, Nadine reported that EasyJet had not yet apologized or offered compensation for the disruptions.
She described the entire trip as a nightmare, with the incident completely ruining their holiday.
After returning home, Nadine shared how the experience left her family traumatized, especially her daughter, who is now fearful of traveling again.
EasyJet has stated that they take such incidents seriously and will reimburse passengers for any incurred expenses.
EasyJet’s Response
In a statement, EasyJet confirmed that the flight was diverted due to a disruptive passenger, and emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety.
They acknowledged that the flight crew acted swiftly to resolve the situation, ensuring that the safety of all passengers was prioritized.
While the airline apologized for the inconvenience, they also highlighted the rarity of such incidents.