A 58-year-old man in a Manchester United jacket is alleged to have wreaked havoc on a 13-hour flight from London to Taiwan by ‘touching flight attendants inappropriately’
A British man was thrown off a plane for allegedly vaping and slapping a flight attendant’s bum. The 58-year-old, who was wearing a Man Utd jacket, was reportedly disruptive throughout the 13-hour flight from London.
After he allegedly shouted and swore at other passengers, his wife defended him, saying “he likes to joke”. He was also alleged to have touched the buttocks of both male and female flight attendants while others said they saw him smoking an e-cigarette in his seat.
Later in the flight, the man is alleged to have slapped a female attendant’s behind with force and reportedly kissed the airline staff while speaking to them. The passenger was taken into custody after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan yesterday (March 3).
During the man’s alleged unruly antics, his wife reportedly defended him by claiming “he likes to joke”, sparking outrage among the other passengers. They told her “it’s not funny” and “you’re an accomplice”.
One passenger told him: “You’re in Taiwan now, not England.” His wife then asked him to stop, saying: “Everyone says you’re being noisy.”
Upon arrival at the airport, the China Airlines cabin crew informed the aviation police and the British passenger was taken into custody. Footage showed the man, who sounded inebriated, being escorted off the plane by officers in uniform.
He said: “I apologise, I’m sorry. I touched your bum, f*** sake.” He appeared to add: “What is she, a paedophile?”
He was said to be visibly unsteady on his feet as he was removed from the cabin. The man reportedly faces a fine for vaping on the plane but it is possible he may face further charges of harassment or public indecency if any flight attendants decide to file a complaint.
A China Airlines spokesperson emphasised that they have a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behaviour. They pointed out that it is strictly illegal to bring e-cigarettes, vapes and similar products into Taiwan.
The airline said they will fully cooperate with any legal proceedings.
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