A British Airways flight bound for Las Vegas aborted its takeoff at Heathrow after a drunken passenger became abusive and had to be restrained by a flight attendant.
Shocking footage shows a female flight attendant stepping in to hold back the man as tensions escalated on BA275, which was carrying around 300 passengers. The video, recorded by passenger Bou's tour manager, shows the attendant repeatedly ordering the man to sit down.
"I will be restraining you, sir, if you do not sit down," the flight attendant warns in the footage. The passenger appears to ignore repeated instructions by cabin crew to "stay seated, sir" and "listen to instructions" as he becomes increasingly abusive towards staff and other passengers.
Flight forced back to terminal
The confrontation forced the aircraft to abort its take-off with just seconds to go. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about unruly passengers on transatlantic routes, including those carrying Canadian travellers. Canadian aviation authorities have similar powers to charge disruptive passengers under the Aeronautics Act.
The passenger was later escorted off the flight by armed Metropolitan Police officers. It is unclear what initially sparked the confrontation.
Passenger charged
Responding to the incident, a spokesperson for British Airways said: "Disruptive or abusive behaviour is never tolerated on board, and the safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority. When these incidents occur, the appropriate action will always be taken."
A spokesperson from Metropolitan Police said officers were called out following "reports of a passenger being disruptive on an outbound plane" at around 5.30pm on Thursday, August 6. "The plane returned to the terminal to allow officers to board the plane."
Identifying the man who has now been charged, they continued: "Emmet Moynihan, 31 (10.03.1995) of Mount Vernon, Cork, Ireland, was charged on Friday, 7 August, with being drunk on an aircraft and disobeying the orders of the captain. He has been bailed to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 26 August."