Jet2 Bills 'Abusive' Passenger £85k After RAF Jets Escort Plane Back To Stansted

The RAF was called in to escort the plane to Stansted Airport (Picture: PA).

An airline has ordered an "abusive and disruptive" passenger to pay £85,000 after allegedly causing two RAF fighter jets to escort the plane back to Stansted Airport. 

Jet2 accused a 25-year-old woman from Maidenhead in Berkshire of a "catalogue of aggressive, abusive and dangerous behaviour" on a flight bound for Dalaman in Turkey, including trying to open the aircraft doors during the flight.

The airline said the woman had to be restrained by both crew and customers while two Typhoon fighter jets escorted the plane back to Stansted.

The two Typhoon aircraft caused a sonic boom as they flew to meet the plane and escort it on 22 June.

The woman was arrested upon landing on suspicion of assault, criminal damage and endangering an aircraft.

She has been released on bail until 21 August while police carry out enquires.

Jet2 says the woman has been given both an £85,000 bill and a lifetime ban from the airline.

The company's chief executive Steve Heapy said the alleged incident was "one of the most serious cases of disruptive passenger behaviour that we have experienced".

"We will vigorously pursue to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this divert, as we do with all disruptive passengers," Mr Heapy continued.