Political Tensions Over U.S. Election Spark Altercation Aboard British Airways Flight

Two passengers were removed from a British Airways flight at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on Monday following a politically charged altercation. The flight, BA191, destined for Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), faced a two-hour delay due to this disruptive incident.

The clash began before boarding in Terminal 5 and involved two female passengers who became embroiled in a verbal and physical altercation. The situation unfolded after one passenger noticed the other wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat, a symbol associated with the campaign of former President and Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump.

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Details of the Altercation Aboard British Airways flight BA191

According to reports from The Sun, the incident occurred before passengers boarded the Airbus A350-1000 assigned to operate BA191. The situation escalated when one of the women demanded that the other remove her MAGA hat, leading to a refusal that intensified into a physical exchange, much to the dismay of nearby passengers awaiting boarding.

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Despite this initial confrontation, British Airways staff proceeded with boarding. However, tensions continued between the women even after they had taken their seats in the premium economy cabin. The escalation led the flight captain to intervene, calling for law enforcement to deescalate the situation.

Law Enforcement Intervention and Charges

Upon their arrival, officers removed both women from the aircraft. They continued to hurl insults at each other as they were escorted off the plane, as reported by The Sun. Although neither woman was arrested, they now face potential charges of affray—a criminal offense that, while often classified as a misdemeanor, can lead to fines and even jail time depending on the case’s severity.

In a statement to The Sun, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that they were made aware of the altercation just before 12:45 p.m. on October 28. The individuals involved were a woman in her 40s and another in her 60s, both of whom made counterclaims of affray.

This Altercation Aboard British Airways Impacted the Flight Schedule

This Altercation Aboard British Airways’ flight had a notable impact on the flight’s schedule. Data from FlightAware indicates that BA191’s departure from gate 24 was delayed until 14:11, two hours past its originally scheduled pushback time of 12:10. The aircraft eventually became airborne at 14:35 and completed the 10-hour journey, touching down safely in Austin at 19:33, one hour and 47 minutes behind schedule.

A British Airways representative later apologized to affected customers, expressing that all efforts were made to expedite the flight’s departure.

The Airline’s Precautionary Measures

With the U.S. Presidential election fast approaching, tensions surrounding political affiliations have heightened among supporters on both sides. As the campaigns for Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump intensify, incidents of verbal and physical altercations between supporters have become increasingly common.

In a statement to The Sun, Heathrow officials highlighted British Airways’ commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers onboard, explaining that the cabin crew could not risk allowing such unruly behavior during a long-haul flight.

“With the U.S. Presidential election so close, tensions are sky high,” an official remarked. “BA officials cannot recall a flight being delayed before due to a passenger’s baseball cap. It was extraordinary.”

The police have since confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.