Two passengers who were removed from a TUI flight from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Crete have appeared in a British court.
The Greece-bound flight was due to take off when flight attendants noticed the pair were drunk.
When the cabin crew confronted the couple, an argument broke out and during the commotion the female passenger’s young child was dropped to the floor.
One of the TUI flight attendants appeared at Tameside Magistrates’ Court to give evidence.
“It was the worst situation I’ve ever had to deal with, not just because they were drunk on a flight but more because they were so incapable of looking after their own child. When I saw the child drop from the aisle seat, I went down to pick her up,” the flight attendant told the court.
According to The Sun, the mother fumbled the baby girl as the male passenger tried to pass her across the aisle, causing the child to fall to the floor.
The mother then placed the child on a seat but knocked her onto the floor for a second time.
Prosecutors told the court that the two passengers had consumed a bottle of vodka they bought from duty free before the flight, which was delayed
The couple’s defense lawyer said: “They both realized their behavior was completely out of order and were both upset that their holiday had been ruined. Miss Jones was hysterical upon arrest and had to contact her mother to collect her child. They are both ashamed and humiliated about what they did, and both have shown remorse.”
Both passengers admitted to charges of being drunk onboard an aircraft and child neglect.
The female passenger received a 12-month community order, along with 20 rehabilitation days and 90 days of abstaining from alcohol and fined £50 ($61) on top of £195 ($241) costs.
The male passenger, who is currently serving a 32-month sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving in an unrelated case, had his time in prison extended by three months and was ordered to pay £100 ($123) costs and a £128 ($158) statutory charge.
