It seems like Indians are climbing the ranks of notoriety when it comes to flying into a rage on flights, right behind some Americans. In the latest, a viral video shows passengers getting into a boxing match on a Thai Smile flight from Bangkok to Kolkata.
Take a look at the viral video:
In the video, one of the passengers can be heard saying "haath neeche kar" or "put your hands down" as the argument gets heated. The shouting match then swiftly turns into one of them hitting and slapping the other. A few more passengers are also seen joining the "haath neeche kar" passenger in trading blows to the man standing by his seat.
On the other hand, a flight attendant is seen unsuccessfully trying to pacify the passengers as the remaining fliers look on. Another flight attendant is heard making an announcement asking the passengers to sit down.
Passenger account of what happened: According to an anonymous passenger who was on the flight, the brawl took place on December 26 when the plane was heading to the runway for takeoff in Bangkok.
The reason for the fight: According to TOI, the fight broke out over reclining seat when the flight was taxiing to the runway for take off.
What authorities are saying: So far, Thai Smile has not made any statement on the incident. DailyO has reached out to Thai Smile airlines for a comment, and this article will be updated when we receive their response.
Getting into a fight or having your fellow passengers get into a fight in a little cylinder that is about to get airborne is a serious security issue. If the situation is to get out of hand or happens again when the flight is mid-air, it can be dangerous for the safety of hundreds of passengers. It is no doubt that a flight is the last place anyone should be getting into a fight.
Video goes viral on social media: The video of the scuffle is going viral on social media, with users condemning the uncouth behaviour of the passengers.
Recently, a video of a shouting match between a flight attendant and a passenger on an IndiGo flight went viral. The passenger was accused of misbehaving throughout the flight with the attendants and even referring to them as "servants".
IndiGo and DGCA both said that they are investigating what happened.