Drunk easyJet passenger hauled off flight to Corfu

A disruptive incident involving a drunk passenger led to an emergency landing of an easyJet flight from Manchester to Corfu in Milan, Italy, on September 24. The disruptive individual was detained by local police after causing safety concerns onboard, according to reports.

Witnesses described tense moments as a flight attendant struggled to manage the erratic behaviour of the passenger, who was seen moving unpredictably in his seat. He was said to be lurching back and forth, causing the flight attendant to have to hold him in place.

Drunk easyJet passenger hauled off flight in Milan

Video footage captured the moment when two police officers boarded the plane at Milan Airport and wrestled with the individual inside the aircraft, and then eventually escorted him off via the emergency stairs. Passengers also reported that a second individual, a woman appearing distressed and carrying a bottle of vodka, was removed from the plane.

The police intervention is said to have lasted approximately 30 to 40 minutes and caused a total delay of about 90 minutes before the flight could resume its journey to Corfu. The airline has frequently expressed that its staff are trained to respond swiftly to situations that may jeopardise flight safety and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behaviour.

The emergency landing forced passengers to remain onboard during the delay, causing delays on their arrival at the popular holiday destination. No details were provided regarding potential charges against the removed passenger. The flight eventually continued and safely reached Corfu after the police intervention in Milan.

Disruptive drunk passengers on the increase

The incident is part of a broader trend of alcohol-related disruptions on European flights in 2025. On May 16, easyJet Flight EZY2307 from London Gatwick to Ibiza faced chaos when a group of drunk British passengers engaged in shouting and drug- or alcohol-fuelled behaviour, calling for police action upon landing. In July, a British Airways flight from the UK to an unspecified destination was disrupted by a group of drunk passengers who shouted, swore, and made threats, as reported on Reddit. As well, flight attendant interviews published in September by Express.co.uk indicated a rise in such incidents, particularly on UK-Spain routes, with alcohol consistently mentioned as a contributory factor.