Daijiworld Media Network - Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Jul 24: What began as a quiet flight from Kuala Lumpur to China turned into a mid-air brawl when a male passenger lashed out at a group of women for talking loudly, hurling insults and telling them to "shut up." The altercation, which quickly turned physical, was caught on camera and has since gone viral, prompting an official investigation by Chinese authorities.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred after cabin lights were dimmed for passengers to rest. A group of women reportedly continued chatting in raised voices, disturbing fellow travellers. A male passenger seated behind them grew visibly agitated and confronted them, asking them to lower their voices. Matters escalated when the man allegedly called the group “stupid” and told them to “shut up.”
That insult triggered a violent response.
“One of the women leapt over the seat and began punching him. Another soon joined in, hitting the man as he tried to shield himself behind his food tray,” recounted a passenger seated nearby. The man was seen ducking in panic as fists flew and chaos erupted inside the cabin.
Video footage shows cabin crew rushing to the scene, with one female flight attendant heard yelling at passengers to return to their seats. Despite the intensity of the scuffle, the crew acted swiftly and professionally, bringing the situation under control without requiring an emergency landing.
No passengers were injured, and no medical aid was needed upon landing. Authorities have confirmed no arrests were made immediately after the flight, but an investigation has been launched by the Airport Public Security Bureau of the Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department, as confirmed by Daily Mail.
A female passenger who recorded the fight told reporters, “We were sitting just behind them. The women were being loud, and the man politely asked them to be quiet. But things spiralled quickly. Even the mother of one of the women got involved before punches flew.”
AirAsia X (AAX) issued a statement assuring the public that its cabin crew adhered to standard safety procedures and handled the situation efficiently. “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that jeopardises the comfort, safety, or well-being of our guests,” the airline stated.
The incident, while not affecting the airline’s return schedules, serves as a stark reminder of the growing number of in-flight confrontations around the globe — many of which start over minor disagreements that spiral out of control.
Authorities continue to review passenger testimonies and video evidence to determine if further action is necessary.