Worst Passenger of The Week: The Hate Crime in the Sky Lounge

Every Friday, FlyerTalk looks back at the week’s most charming individuals. While there are always plenty of contenders for our Worst Passenger of the Week award, only one lucky flyer can take home the glory. Here are this week’s winners.

Third Place – Oh Show Me the Way to the Next Whiskey Bar

It reportedly took a village to subdue a single out-of-control passenger on a London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bangkok International Airport (BKK) bound British Airways flight last week. Eyewitnesses say a Russian national, fueled by more than a few in-flight cocktails plus nearly an entire liter of whiskey from a duty-free shop, was completely unprovoked when he attacked another flyer who was simply waiting in line for the lavatory at the time.

“I was standing near his seat waiting for the lavatory when he came behind me and he hit me in the back and started pushing me,” the alleged victim told the British tabloid The Sun. “He was a big lad, very drunk, and very aggressive. It was pretty scary. I got him down into his seat but he was still causing a problem.There were eight men and two women helping to control him at one point. The cabin crew couldn’t cope. One of them went to get handcuffs and we had to restrain him. The man was making a lot of noise, shouting and being violent. It happened at around 35,000ft, which is pretty terrifying.”

According to those on the flight, the visibly intoxicated passenger wasn’t about to surrender without a fight. A mobile phone video of the mob passengers struggling to restrain the enraged whiskey enthusiast, shows that the problem passenger was eventually bundled up awkwardly after a long, chaotic scrum.

The Runner-up – Some Finger Food, a Quick Hitler Salute and an Ugly Spit-zkrieg Attack

After reportedly shoving a flight attendant and biting her finger and spitting on at least one crew member, an awful passenger found the perfect way to cap his obnoxious tirade on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Saint Lucia. The abusive and violent traveler began to yell “Heil Hitler!”

As the crew struggled to restrain the rampaging passenger, the captain made the decision to divert the flight to the nearest airport, a military airbase in Portugal. The aggressive and bizarrely pro-Hitler passenger was ejected from the flight which eventually continued on to the Caribbean with decidedly less shoving, biting, spitting and pro-Nazi chanting.

“The plane was diverted to Lajes in the Azores in order to remove a disruptive customer,” a Virgin Airlines spokesperson told The Mirror in a well-crafted understatement. “The safety and security of customers and crew is always our priority and we will not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior on board our aircraft. We always want our customers to have the best experience when they fly with us, and while very rare, it is disappointing when a disruptive individual impacts that experience for other customers.”

The Winner – “You Did Nothing, but I am Going to Kick Your F***ing Ass”

Prosecutors say a John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) passenger has been charged with a slew of hate crimes after allegedly assaulting an airport worker on Wednesday. Robin Rhodes stands accused of mocking, threatening and kicking a Muslim employee in a Delta Sky Lounge at the airport.

“The bigotry and hatred that the defendant is accused of manifesting and acting upon have no place in a civilized society — especially in Queens County, the most culturally diverse county in the nation,” Queens District Attorney Richard Brown told reporters. “Crimes of hate will never be tolerated here and when they do, regrettably occur, those responsible will be brought to justice.”

Brown’s office says that Rhodes punched a door and harassed the headscarf-wearing front desk receptionist before violently kicking her. According to prosecutors, the 53-year-old Massachusetts traveler attempted to block the employee’s escape before getting on his hands and knees and pantomiming a Muslim prayer.

“Trump is here now,” Rhodes reportedly shouted during the unprovoked and violent attack. “He will get rid of all of you.”

“Are you (expletive) sleeping? Are you praying? What are you doing?” the irate club guest ranted, according to charging documents. “You did nothing but I am going to kick your (expletive) ass.”

Police say Rhodes continued to espouse bigoted views even after law enforcement arrived on the scene. “I guess I am going to jail for disorderly conduct,” he allegedly told officers. “I couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman because their back was to me and they had something covering their head.”

Delta Airlines officials were quick to condemn the Sky Lounge member’s behavior.

“What happened in this incident is totally unacceptable and Delta has made its stance clear on these types of events,” the airline said in a statement. ”People who are violent or exhibit bullying behavior are not welcome.