Jet2 Passenger Jailed: Sexual Assault on Flight Forces Diversion

December 22, 2025 at 01:35 PM•3 min read

Jet2 passenger was jailed for sexually assaulting four cabin crew, forcing a diversion; this underscores the aviation industry's push for stricter

Key Points

1Joseph McCabe was sentenced to 46 weeks in prison and a 10-year sex offenders register placement for assaulting four Jet2 cabin crew.
2The incident, fueled by intoxication, forced the Edinburgh to Tenerife flight to divert to Porto Santo, causing a two-hour delay.
3Jet2 issued a lifetime travel ban and a £5,000 fine, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy toward staff abuse.
4IATA data shows one unruly passenger incident for every 480 flights in 2023, highlighting the growing global challenge of in-flight misconduct.

A British man has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting four Jet2 cabin crew members.

Joseph McCabe, 40, was jailed for 46 weeks at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. The incident occurred during a flight from Edinburgh Airport to Tenerife South Airport last year. McCabe, a former soldier, pleaded guilty to four sexual offenses.

Incident Details and Operational Impact

McCabe's drunken behavior began shortly after the flight departed. He made multiple trips to the toilet. He then subjected four crew members to unwanted contact. This included groping and slapping the buttocks of two stewards. He also grabbed a third around the waist. McCabe attempted to hug a fourth employee.

He also made sexually explicit comments to one female flight attendant. The passenger ripped up a written warning given to him by the crew. This non-compliance escalated the situation. The aircraft captain was forced to divert the flight. The plane landed at Porto Santo in the Madeira Archipeligo. This decision prioritizes safety over schedule adherence.

Portuguese police boarded the aircraft upon landing. McCabe was arrested and removed from the flight. The diversion caused a two-hour delay to the final destination. Jet2 subsequently issued a lifetime ban to McCabe. The airline also imposed a £5,000 fine, which he refused to pay.

Legal and Industry Response

Sheriff Alison Stirling stated the offenses involved a high level of culpability and harm. The sentence and sex offenders register placement act as a strong deterrent. The case highlights the serious consequences of in-flight misconduct. This includes both criminal prosecution and severe airline sanctions.

This type of disruptive passenger behavior is a growing concern. The unruly passenger aviation industry issue is a global challenge. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) tracks these incidents. IATA reported one unruly passenger incident for every 480 flights in 2023. This rate is an increase from the previous year. Physical altercations also rose significantly in 2022.

Alcohol intoxication is a major factor in many disruptive incidents.
Incidents like this threaten the safety of all passengers and crew.
Airlines maintain a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of staff.

International aviation bodies are working to close legal loopholes. The ICAO-backed Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14) is a key tool. MP14 allows for the prosecution of offenders. This can happen in the destination country, not just the country of aircraft registration. This strengthens the in-flight misconduct consequences for offenders. The industry is focused on preventing these incidents. This includes better crew training and responsible alcohol service. More commercial aviation news on this topic is expected as regulators push for stricter enforcement.