Jet2 Flight Diverts to Brussels Following Violent Midair Altercation

A routine flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom descended into chaos on Thursday, February 12, 2026, when a violent brawl broke out between passengers, forcing the aircraft to make an unscheduled landing in Belgium. According to reporting by Fox News and other outlets, Jet2 flight LS896 was en route from Antalya to Manchester when the crew declared an emergency due to “appalling behavior” in the cabin.

Video footage circulating on social media captures the intensity of the incident, showing passengers exchanging punches and putting one another in headlocks while cabin crew attempted to intervene. The disturbance reportedly began with racist abuse and escalated after alcohol was denied to an intoxicated traveler. The flight eventually landed in Brussels, where police removed two individuals who have since received lifetime bans from the Airlines.

Escalation at 30,000 Feet

Witness accounts cited in media reports suggest the tension began early in the flight. A male passenger, who appeared to be intoxicated, reportedly directed racist remarks toward Pakistani passengers seated nearby. The situation deteriorated further when the individual attempted to purchase additional alcohol or cigarettes from the flight attendants and was refused.

From Verbal Abuse to Physical Violence

The verbal confrontation quickly turned physical. Video footage of the incident shows a chaotic scene in the aisle, with one passenger placing another in a headlock while blows were exchanged. The violence occurred in close proximity to other travelers, including families with young children.

In the video recordings, the panic in the cabin is audible. A flight attendant can be heard shouting commands in an attempt to restore order.

“Sit down! We’ve got kids on board!”

, Audio from witness video, via Fox News

Witnesses described the event as “traumatizing,” with some reports indicating that the physical struggle was severe enough to leave blood on the aircraft seats. The pilot, unable to ensure the Safety of the cabin, made the decision to divert the aircraft to Brussels Airports (BRU).

Operational Impact and Consequences

Upon landing in Brussels, Belgian law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and removed the two men involved in the altercation. The flight was delayed by approximately two hours before continuing to Manchester, where it arrived around 10:00 PM local time.

Jet2’s Zero-Tolerance Response

Jet2 has taken immediate and severe action against the individuals responsible for the diversion. In a statement regarding the incident, the airline confirmed that the passengers have been banned for life. Furthermore, the carrier intends to recover the financial losses associated with the diversion directly from the disruptors.

According to the airline’s official statement:

“We can confirm that the two disruptive passengers will be banned from flying with us for life.”

, Jet2 spokesperson

The pilot reportedly addressed the remaining passengers after the incident, stating that in three decades of flying, he had never witnessed such a severe disturbance.

AirPro News Analysis

This incident underscores the persistent operational challenge airlines face regarding “air rage,” particularly incidents fueled by pre-flight alcohol consumption. Jet2 has been an industry leader in combating this issue through its “Onboard Together” campaign, which advocates for stricter legal consequences for disruptive passengers.

We note that this event bears a superficial resemblance to a previous Jet2 Incident in December 2024, which also involved a diversion from an Antalya-bound route due to a fight. However, the February 12, 2026 incident is distinct due to the reported racial nature of the initial abuse and the specific diversion to Brussels. The recurrence of such high-profile altercations highlights the difficulty cabin crews face in managing intoxication and aggression in confined spaces, despite zero-tolerance policies.

By pursuing the passengers for costs, which can run into the thousands of dollars for fuel, landing fees, and crew hours, Jet2 is signaling that the consequences of midair violence will extend beyond travel bans to significant financial liabilities.

Sources

Sources: Fox News