Irish passenger charged after BA flight attendant restrains him on Heathrow-Las Vegas route

A British Airways flight attendant restrained a drunken passenger on a Heathrow to Las Vegas flight on 6 August 2026, after he refused to follow crew instructions. The incident, captured on video by another passenger, led to the aircraft aborting its take-off and returning to the terminal.

Emmet Moynihan, 31, from Mount Vernon, Cork, was charged the following day with being drunk on an aircraft and disobeying the captain’s orders. He was bailed to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 26 August 2026, as reported by the Metropolitan Police.

Flight diverted after passenger refuses to sit down

Footage shared on social media shows the flight attendant repeatedly instructing Moynihan to remain seated. The video, recorded by a passenger identified as Bou, captures the attendant warning him that she would restrain him if he did not comply.

Bou, who was seated elsewhere on the aircraft, told The Standard he could hear a disturbance before the confrontation escalated. He praised the flight attendant’s response, calling for her to receive a pay rise for her handling of the situation.

The aircraft, carrying around 300 passengers, had begun its take-off procedure when the incident occurred. It returned to the terminal, where armed Metropolitan Police officers boarded the plane and escorted Moynihan off.

Police and airline respond

A British Airways spokesperson told The Standard that disruptive or abusive behaviour is never tolerated on board. The airline confirmed that the safety of customers and crew is its highest priority and that appropriate action is always taken in such cases.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to the scene at approximately 5:30 pm on 6 August following reports of a disruptive passenger. A police spokesperson said the plane returned to the terminal to allow officers to board and remove Moynihan.

The cause of the initial confrontation remains unclear. Moynihan was charged on 7 August and released on bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for 26 August 2026 at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.

What happens next

Moynihan is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 26 August 2026. The charges against him relate to being drunk on an aircraft and disobeying the captain’s orders. The court will determine whether the case proceeds to trial or is resolved through other legal means.

British Airways has not commented on whether the flight attendant involved in the incident will face any formal recognition or disciplinary action. The airline has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behaviour on board.