Passenger gives thumbs up as he's 'thrown off flight for vaping and slapping bum'

A 58-year-old man in a Manchester United jacket is alleged to have wreaked havoc on a 13-hour flight from London to Taiwan by 'touching flight attendants inappropriately'

Dan Grennan Audience Writer

14:22, 04 Mar 2026Updated 14:22, 04 Mar 2026

[The man was taken off the plane by cops]

The man was taken off the plane by cops(Image: JamPress)

A British man was thrown off a plane for allegedly vaping and slapping a flight attendants bum. The 58-year-old, who was wearing a Man Utd jacket, was reportedly disruptive throughout the 13-hour flight from London.

After he allegedly shouted and swore at other passengers, his wife defended him, saying "he likes to joke". He was also alleged to have touched the buttocks of both male and female flight attendants while others said they saw him smoking an e-cigarette in his seat.

Later in the flight, the man is alleged to have slapped a female attendants behind with force and reportedly kissed the airline staff while speaking to them. The passenger was taken into custody after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan yesterday (March 3).

[He was wearing a Man United jacket]

He was wearing a Man United jacket(Image: JamPress)

During the mans alleged unruly antics, his wife reportedly defended him by claiming he likes to joke, sparking outrage among the other passengers. They told her its not funny and youre an accomplice.

One passenger told him: You're in Taiwan now, not England. His wife then asked him to stop, saying: Everyone says youre being noisy.

Upon arrival at the airport, the China Airlines cabin crew informed the aviation police and the British passenger was taken into custody. Footage showed the man, who sounded inebriated, being escorted off the plane by officers in uniform.

He said: I apologise, Im sorry. I touched your bum, f*** sake. He appeared to add: What is she, a paedophile?

[The passenger made a rude gesture]

The passenger made a rude gesture(Image: JamPress)

He was said to be visibly unsteady on his feet as he was removed from the cabin. The man reportedly faces a fine for vaping on the plane but it is possible he may face further charges of harassment or public indecency if any flight attendants decide to file a complaint.

A China Airlines spokesperson emphasised that they have a zero-tolerance policy for unruly behaviour. They pointed out that it is strictly illegal to bring e-cigarettes, vapes and similar products into Taiwan.

The airline said they will fully cooperate with any legal proceedings.

Article continues below

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.