Jet2 bans more passengers in fight against drinking and flying
A small contingent of British fliers continue to plague airlines and destinations around the world with bad in-flight behavior, and the airlines are fighting back Jet2 has threatened to take strong measures against bad behavior after numerous drunken incidents on flight, and have already banned several passengers for life and threatened lawsuits against others.Recently, the airline announced its trying to put together a national database of disruptive passengers.
Well, the airline seems to be continuing the fight — the most recent incident involves Jet2 banning an Ibiza-bound passenger who claims he's innocent and accuses a gate worker of having a vendetta against him.
The escapade began at East Midlands Airport before a flight to Ibiza when passengers Joseph Kings and Reiss Edgerton, were “observed being rude towards airport security staff, deliberately shoving fellow passengers and threatening Jet2.com employees” according to a statement by Jet2 on its website. Allegedly, the behavior continued to the point where police had to be called in to escort the pair out of the airport. The two were then immediately slapped with a six-month ban by the airline.
According to the Daily Mail, the 23-year-old Kings denies any wrongdoing whatsoever and blames the whole incident on a “really strange woman who worked at Jet 2” who shushed them for being too loud. When they returned later to board the flight, the women suddenly asked them to get out of the line, Kings said, explaining:
“She didn't have a reason. It was quite shocking, she was saying she was going to make sure we didn't get our money back, it was like we were back at school and she was on a power trip.”
Kings even disputes that security was ever called and says that he only spoke to police to complain about the treatment. Furthermore, Kings claims he has asked to see security footage of the alleged behavior but been denied. He is now considering legal action.
Jet2, clearly fed up with rude and drunken behavior on its flights, isn't having any of it and is backing up its employee. Managing director Phil Ward said:
"We are a leisure airline and we simply won't stand for such rude and disrespectful behaviour. We are determined to take a proactive stance on behalf of the industry, our loyal customers and staff."
Ibiza continues to be a particularly problematic destination for budget carriers shuttling passengers over from the U.K, and Jet2 isn't alone in the fight. Ryanair is also battling back, enacting a ban on duty free alcohol purchases on flights on its flights to Ibiza entirely.