Jet2 Life Ban: Passengers Face Consequences for Mid-Air Brawl

Jet2 Bans Passengers for Life After Mid-Air Brawl on Flight to Manchester

A flight from Antalya, Turkey, to Manchester was forced to divert to Brussels on February 12, 2026, after a disruptive altercation between two passengers escalated into a physical brawl. UK-based airline Jet2 has responded by issuing lifetime bans to the individuals involved and intends to pursue the costs associated with the flight’s unscheduled landing.

Flight LS896 departed Antalya International Airport at approximately 6:27 PM local time, roughly 45 minutes behind schedule. Approximately three hours into the journey, the situation onboard deteriorated, leading to the decision to land at Brussels Airport. The flight eventually arrived in Manchester at 9:35 PM, experiencing a delay of around two hours.

Footage of the incident, widely circulated on social media, depicts passengers shouting and physically confronting each other in the aisle as cabin crew and fellow travelers attempted to intervene. The disruptive behavior prompted an emergency landing in Brussels, according to Jet2.

Upon arrival in Brussels, the two men were taken into custody by Belgian police. Authorities reportedly allowed them to continue their journey after being “briefly deprived of their freedom administratively” due to intoxication. An investigation into intentional assault and battery is currently underway, led by the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office. The identities of the men have been recorded, along with their fingerprints and an official report has been filed.

A Jet2 spokesperson stated the airline takes a “zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour” and expressed regret that other passengers and crew members were subjected to the incident. “As a family-friendly airline we take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour and we are very sorry that other customers and our colleagues onboard had to experience this too,” the spokesperson said.

The airline confirmed it will “vigorously” pursue the costs incurred due to the disruption and the diversion of the flight. The incident highlights the growing concern surrounding unruly passenger behavior on flights and the measures airlines are taking to address it.

According to the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office, the investigation is ongoing and “the public prosecutor’s office will take appropriate action.”