TUI Flight Diverted Over Passenger Fight, Strands Travelers for 17 Hours

A TUI Airways flight from Cancun, Mexico, to London Gatwick turned into a 17-hour nightmare after two unruly passengers forced the plane to divert, leaving travelers stranded overnight in Maine.

TUI flight BY49 was en route to the U.K. when a disruptive incident involving two passengers caused the aircraft to make an unscheduled landing at Bangor International Airport. The situation began when the pair were caught smoking in the aircraft lavatory—an offense that typically results in fines or arrests. Despite the seriousness of the infraction, the captain initially planned to continue the flight.

However, after issuing a clear warning that further misconduct would result in a diversion, the situation escalated. According to People, the passengers—reportedly a man and a woman—ignored the warning and proceeded to get into a physical altercation. Inside Edition reports that fellow passenger Terry Lawrance witnessed the scene and noted that the woman was bleeding after the fight.

With passenger safety at risk, the crew had no choice but to divert the flight to Bangor, Maine, where local authorities took the pair into custody upon landing.

Unfortunately, the trouble didn’t end there.

After landing, passengers remained stranded on the tarmac for five hours before being allowed into the terminal. Due to U.S. immigration laws, TUI was unable to let passengers leave the terminal building, forcing them to spend the night inside the airport. While cots were eventually brought in, there were not enough for everyone. “It was a free-for-all,” Lawrance told Inside Edition, describing the chaotic atmosphere. He added that many people had nowhere to sleep and were not allowed access to their luggage, which remained locked in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Lawrance described the scene as resembling a “war zone,” with exhausted travelers left to cope with limited resources, no accommodations, and very little communication from the airline.

In a statement to People, TUI acknowledged the situation and explained the restrictions: “We understand the frustration this situation caused for our customers. Unfortunately, due to immigration regulations, we were unable to allow passengers to leave the terminal.”

After an exhausting 17-hour ordeal, the aircraft finally took off again, and passengers safely arrived in London.

This incident underscores the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on board an aircraft—not just for the individuals involved, but for everyone else on the flight. Airlines around the world continue to stress the importance of compliance with onboard safety protocols, as even a single act of misconduct can jeopardize an entire journey.

The diversion, extended delay, and lack of accommodations serve as a stark reminder of how quickly travel plans can unravel when safety protocols are violated.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com