A vicious brawl on a Southwest Airlines flight to Hawaii provides another case study of our need to cultivate self-control. There’s no excuse EVER for what happened onboard.
Fight Or Flight: Southwest Airlines Flight To Hawaii Interrupted By Onboard Brawl
Rule #1 on an airplane: keep your hands to yourself.
The latest passengers to forget this were on a Southwest Airlines Flight 1288 from Oakland (OAK) to Lihue (LIH) on the island of Kauaʻi.
We don’t know the full nature of the fight or who the instigator was, if there was one, but graphic video shows two grown men fighting like little children. One seems a lot more vicious than the other, but both resort to physical contact. That’s not a good idea ever and especially not a good idea on an airplane. Take a look (warning – language):
credit: kauai.airbnb / Instagram
The son of the man who threw most of the punches has alleged that the other man was drunk and badgering his mother (the man’s wife). Even that does not justify violence.
The two men were separated and the flight continued to LIH. On the ground, the men were detained but it is not clear if any charges were or will be filed. The FAA, however, is looking into the incident:
Reminder: Our department has zero tolerance for violent or unruly behavior aboard an aircraft. If you act out on an airplane, you can face criminal prosecution and fines up to $37,000. https://t.co/OWrtUYcHr4
— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) February 13, 2024
Southwest Airlines said:
“We commend our Crew and Customers for their professionalism in diffusing [sic] this situation.”
But read the caption of the video above:
“Dan (the man in blue) maintains eye contact, uses non-threatening body language and tactical empathy, validates his feelings and offers alternate solutions.”
I also applaud Dan for helping to de-escalate the situation. A bright spot here…
There’s a reason I carry these stories that goes beyond their appeal to readers (stories like this draw many more eyeballs than a laborious trip report). Additionally, every story is a reminder that we must exercise self-control. This is so hard in this life…I know our tempers get the best of us sometimes. I know that our egos can be fragile and it seems we can no longer agree to disagree without threats of breaking off fellowship.
Kudos to the passenger and crew onboard who stepped into to separate the men. Kudos in particular to Dan.
images: kauai.airbnb / Instagram
Toxic masculinity
Is a good thing
for the douchebags who believe in it.
Two fights and a politician crying about masks. Is my calendar broken? It says 2024, not 2021.
Nothing like brawling and bawling to bring the clicks and laughs. Good job, Matthew.
Alcohol! Oakland! Great combo.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Control your temper, control your alcohol consumption and enjoy the romance. Know that you are loved and be the person that deserves that love.
I’m just trying to stay positive today.
I disagree. It is man’s job to protect his wife. Personally I would have switched places with my wife before starting a fight, but if the other guy initiates a fight, all bets are off. Pretty sure they both will face charges.
And Jim,,in the confines of an aircraft,,all bets are off,,,,,come on, unless you want to face the FBI and 35000 in well deserved fines………….
Some Males are a disgrace.
As an Ex-Continental Flight Attendant, I can remember the days when passengers dressed well to fly (no pajamas, no flip flops, etc.), had manners and were respectful of others and civilized. I flew all over the world and never had an outbreak such as this or even close to it. Today’s a total mess with these people acting like unruly children. So glad I don’t have to put up with that as a crewmember. Today’s crewmembers deserve combat pay just for having to deal with these idiots. The NO-FLY list should be getting longer when this happens.
Thought I was missing something here…this isn’t a brawl or anything close to it. Drunk window seat guy slaps the aisle guy…aisle guy then proceeds to use window seat guy as a punching bag. I’d call this a dust-up at best. Should never have happened, but lets not over sensationalize this one. Window seat guy mouthed off about another guys wife and paid the price…he “f&#*ed around and found out” as the kids would say.
These stupid stories having nothing to do with points and miles. Just stop.
All of the points and miles blogs include general travel information, tips, and items of general (or narrow) interest. So who is it that owes you the blog you want to read? Or are you one of those people who believe the rest of the population has an obligation to create and deliver what makes you happy? If you are not getting the information or entertainment you want for free, then please create your own. If it’s really good, you could even charge others to enjoy it. But people who consider the rest of world as their free life-concierge are even more tiring than the constant stories of people acting up on planes.
Matthew knows his audience well.
Way too many White trash people are allowed to board airplanes.
If one or the other combatant doesn’t end up on the official no=fly list, at least Southwest should add both of them to the airline’s list. Nothing quite like the price of buying a one-way ticket between Hawaii and the continent to remind you the next time you want to act up on a plane. On the other hand, that financial penalty might not work either because the memory is the first thing to go when you start drinking.
” (stories like this draw many more eyeballs than a laborious trip report).” … Maybe because we’re sick and tired of reading about how you are way too elitist to sit anywhere else other than Business and First and you would never consider staying in a hotel that doesn’t immediately upgrade you to a suite.
Open seating problems.
Very odd reporting another cheapo airline brawl,and completely ignoring a man coughing up liters of blood on an a380 and dying moments after.The Bkk origin has some speculating if a new deadly virus is out there,shocked there was no quarantine of passengers.
Why is it always a white man with a baseball cap? Wonder where koggerj and his ilk are? They normally love commenting on this type of post
we’re out working to provide welfare for people like you
Lol.
I hope SW gives Dan a few thousand Air Miles for his successful, sustained intervention. And to GB, from another retired flight attendant, I remember when there was enough personal seating space on airplanes that it didn’t stress and bring out the worst in passengers.
Dan is the man.
People often ask why Hawaiians look askance at “visitors” and can tend to not be welcoming at times.
Could it be “bad behavior” and “lack of social skills and manners”?
Hmmm. I wonder…