Easyjet passenger ‘attacked cabin crew’ and tried to ‘open door’ mid-air in row over young girl coughing

The chaotic scene unfolded after the teen confronted a 10-year-old passenger for coughing, leading to a series of violent outbursts that ultimately forced the pilot to divert the aircraft.

Police, firefighters and maintenance crews were waiting at Bari airport when the plane landed, where the teenage girl was subsequently arrested.

The disruption left passengers stranded overnight in Italy, with the flight rescheduled for the following day.

Passenger Nadine, 39, from Reading, described how the incident began when the teenage girl confronted a young passenger over coughing.

“This 16-year-old was about four rows behind me and she was sitting next to a little girl who was about 10 started coughing and she told her to stop,” Nadine told The Sun.

The situation escalated when the younger girl went to use the toilet, with the teenager following her.

“The girl kept having outbursts saying get out of my face, and she wouldn’t let her out,” Nadine said.

The confrontation intensified when the younger girl’s mother intervened, leading to more aggressive behaviour from the teenager.

“The mum and the little girl were crying so the crew walked the girl and her mum down to the front of the plane to get away from her,” Nadine explained.

The teenager’s behaviour became increasingly volatile when crew members asked her to return to her seat.

Instead, she stormed to the back of the aircraft and attempted to open the door, breaking the handle in the process.

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Crew members were forced to restrain the girl as she threatened to stab them.

“She started screaming on the plane and she threatened to stab a crew member,” Nadine recounted.

The teen’s rampage continued as she ran through the aircraft, colliding with a passenger exiting the toilet and causing them to fall against the pilot’s door.

In a further display of aggression, she removed her shoes and threw them at other passengers.

“Everyone was so nervous. People started getting upset and getting up,” said Nadine.

The pilot ultimately announced an emergency landing due to security concerns.

Passengers were forced to stay overnight in Bari, with Nadine describing the accommodation as “horrific”.

“When we ran the tap it was misty water, and we hadn’t drank in hours,” she said.

The Reading mother reported filthy sheets, mould in the bathroom, and broken windows at the hotel.

“I am ill because it was so cold in the room. I suffer from asthma and COPD and I can’t go out and enjoy the rest of my Christmas,” Nadine said.

Her daughter Jernai, 19, was left traumatised by the experience.

“It was nothing but stress. I don’t think I will go on a holiday for at least a year after this as it frightened me so much,” Jernai told The Sun.

Nadine claimed EasyJet had not apologised or offered compensation for their ordeal.

EasyJet confirmed the incident in a statement to The Sun, acknowledging that flight EZY8556 was diverted due to a passenger “behaving disruptively onboard”.

The airline emphasised that their cabin crew are trained to assess all situations and “acted quickly and appropriately” to ensure passenger safety.

“While such incidents are rare we take them very seriously and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard,” the statement read.

The airline explained that the crew were left feeling unfit to operate, necessitating the overnight delay.

EasyJet apologised for the inconvenience, stating they provided hotel accommodation and meals.

“We have advised customers we will reimburse any expenses incurred,” the airline confirmed, adding that “the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s priority.”