by Brawls in cabins seem to feature in the newspapers almost every week. In February 2024 alone, there were two well-publicized fights on Ryanair flights between Edinburgh and Tenerife. The number of air incidents on UK airlines is officially set to rise between 2019 and 2022, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
What should you expect if you are caught in the chaos? Below, cabin crew member Jay Roberts, who runs the aviation industry social media community A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge, explains how airline crew deal with these incidents – and what you can do to help.
We are waiting for you at the airport
Passenger profiling starts at check-in. Drunkenness is the main cause of disruptive flight behavior so ticket counter staff are trained to recognize signs of intoxication. They do not check in passengers who appear to be under the influence of any substances.
Thanks to online check-in, however, many passengers avoid this initial contact point. It means the boarding gate can be the first place for staff to identify anyone who might be aggressive.
As a former airline gate agent at one of the world’s busiest airports, one of my main objectives was to prevent problematic passengers from boarding the aircraft, and some pilots and flight attendants also perform frontal scans on passengers who boards in advance. On one occasion, a pilot refused to board a passenger at my boarding gate after observing their behavior towards airport restaurant staff while waiting for a takeout order.
We are trained for the worst
Aviation security training usually fills at least one or two days of the cabin crew’s initial training curriculum. New carpenters learn specific airline techniques to restrain violent passengers.
Each airline takes a unique approach: some draw inspiration from military tactics developed by government special forces while others incorporate martial arts. The amount of training provided by an airline is often correlated with the length of its flights, with crew receiving more extensive training on long-haul routes due to higher passenger numbers and limited diversion options.
At my training college, a Taekwondo master taught us restraint techniques he developed to manipulate pressure points for effective immobilization with minimal effort and injury. These skills were regularly refreshed and practiced under the guidance of a black belt Taekwondo instructor during our mandatory annual training sessions.
We will avoid fighting if possible
The cabin crew remain alert during the flight, aware that we may need to use our training soon. Before each trip, we participate in a pre-flight briefing to assess any potential threats and to discuss and strategize the methods we will use if any issues arise.
Generally, the main threats to a peaceful flight are the consumption of alcohol and the behavioral trends of different cultures under its influence. Passengers on UK routes are notorious for drinking, with destinations such as Manchester and Newcastle causing the most problems so far.
To tackle the threat, the team focuses on the appropriate administration of alcohol as well as the best non-physical techniques for dealing with drunken Brits to avoid physical confrontation. As a senior member of the crew, I would often use a British crew member to handle British passengers: they always seemed to know just what to say to get them simmering.
We have a plan when punches start flying
Even with the most effective de-escalation techniques, conflicts still arise. How staff handle these depends on a number of factors, including the scale of the change compared to the number of staff. A small crew may need help from other passengers to end the disturbance, but larger aircraft usually have a larger number of well-trained cabin crew to provide back-up and diffuse any changes.
The main objective is to separate the conflicting parties so that we can protect the well-being of all passengers and crew. But we have to consider our own safety, which affects our level of participation in larger disputes.
Airlines often share the success rates of the techniques they teach us, boosting our confidence in our training and ensuring we adhere to our procedures. If an attack is directed at us rather than other passengers (as is usually the case), it is easier to deal with: we focus on maintaining order rather than dealing with physical changes.
Surprise is our ultimate weapon
To maximize the effectiveness of their containment techniques, airlines do not share them with the public. Nor do they disclose the tools used by airline crew.
However, airline staff gain a lot of experience in communication and excel at it. Our interpersonal skills are the most effective tool team members can use before resorting to physical force. We are specially trained to use our verbal abilities in specific patterns to diffuse conflict.
If words fail, we are forced to resort to physical measures. Motorhomes or other restraints are commonly available to contain disruptive passengers until the plane lands and law enforcement takes over.
Even with procedures and training, sometimes it’s best to use what we have to protect ourselves. A few years ago, an American Airlines flight attendant even threw a pot of coffee at the head of a violent passenger during a domestic flight in the US.
As usual we appreciate your help
Since September 11, more passengers seem keen to play a role in resolving disruptive behavior and flight attendants are trained to call for help on some airlines. Other carriers prefer staff to handle incidents, seeking assistance from passengers who are professionally trained in disembarkation, such as police officers or soldiers.
Airlines using this approach claim that it results in fewer injuries and creates less risk of injury to the restrained person. If you are willing to help the crew and are law enforcement or military, martial arts certified or a licensed medical professional, you can identify yourself as an ABP (able bodied passenger) and your seat location to supply the cabin. crew
We sometimes need medical support after the event
In the wake of the pandemic, reports of abuse and assaults on cabin crew have reached an all-time high. We fulfill our duties to protect travellers, but unfortunately we seem to be under the pressure of reduced public patience and increasing aggression.
Far too many of us are ending our flights with cuts and bruises after being abused by passengers. Following a traumatic incident on board, it is standard practice for a responsible airline to not only provide medical care but also contact the crew to see if they require any additional mental health support before they are deemed fit to resume their flight duties.
We appreciate intel from passengers
They are our eyes and ears in the cabin and play a vital role in aviation safety. Many potentially hazardous situations have been identified and resolved due to passengers alerting flight attendants after witnessing suspicious behaviour.
Just as you are encouraged to report suspicious items in airports, I would encourage passengers to report any aggressive behavior from fellow passengers towards ground staff or cabin crew. Even minor infractions (such as spilling alcoholic beverages on board) can lead to disruptive behavior.
