A Ryanair flight descended into chaos after an altercation broke out between passengers, reportedly sparked by tensions over a crying baby.

The drama unfolded on Monday aboard the budget airline service from London Stansted to Lisbon. 

Witnesses said the sound of the infant crying earlier in the journey appeared to cause tempers to fray among some travelers.

While the crying began mid-flight, the situation only escalated after the plane touched down in Portugal and began taxiing to the gate.

“Held on the plane for an hour”

Travelers were left stranded on the tarmac as disturbing scenes played out inside the cabin.

Footage captured by a fellow passenger shows a crowded aisle, with passengers shouting over one another. 

Children can be heard screaming and crying in distress, while others watch on wide-eyed and silent.

In the audio, you can hear a mother’s voice attempting to soothe her scared child by gently telling them, “It’s alright, we’re leaving now,” while the confrontation unfolds only a few meters away.

According to local media, the crying baby had agitated certain passengers well before landing, leading to heated exchanges. 

Once the aircraft came to a stop, the disagreement reportedly turned physical, prompting other travelers to step in and separate those involved.

“Because of the altercation, all the passengers ended up being held on the plane for about an hour,” Portuguese TV station SIC reported.

Cabin crew radioed ahead for police assistance, and officers boarded the aircraft upon arrival to restore order. The disruptive passengers were escorted from the plane in full view of the rest of the cabin.

“You need to be quiet”

A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement via The Sun:

“The crew of this flight from London Stansted to Lisbon (12 Aug) called for police assistance after two passengers became disruptive onboard. The aircraft was met by local police and these passengers were removed. Ryanair has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.”

Police have since taken over the matter, though it remains unclear if any arrests have been made or charges laid. 

It’s not the first time tensions over a child have spilled over mid-air, and it’s unlikely to be the last.

Airlines often find themselves navigating a delicate balance between supporting families traveling with young children and maintaining a comfortable environment for other passengers.

In July, for example, a mom traveling from Brisbane Airport encountered judgment before she’d even boarded the plane.

Emma, who was flying with her toddler, was left horrified when a fellow passenger bent down to her daughter’s level at check-in, pointed a finger, and said, “On the airplane, you need to be quiet.”

Emma was stunned by the assumption that her daughter would be a problem before she’d done anything at all.

“She was just standing there holding my hand like she was not saying anything. She was silent,” Emma told Kidspot. 

Incidents like these are a reminder that while air travel can test anyone’s patience, especially in cramped conditions, a little understanding can go a long way.

We can all benefit from remembering to pack our compassion and patience alongside our carry-on.