A Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Moscow was disrupted by a major air rage incident involving a passenger who insisted on resting her feet on the back of the economy class seat in front of her. The situation escalated dramatically when the traveller occupying that seat attempted to recline, sparking a furious reaction from the woman behind.
Flight Descends Into Chaos Over Seat Etiquette
According to multiple witness accounts from the flight, the woman, believed to be Russian, became enraged when the passenger in front reclined her seat. She refused repeated requests from fellow travellers and cabin crew to remove her feet from the seatback, leading to a prolonged and uncomfortable standoff.
Aggressive Behaviour and Passenger Discomfort
The disruptive passenger used her feet to shake the seat back vigorously and, at one point, was seen clapping her trainers together directly above the head of the woman in front. The victim was forced to crouch forward in her seat as she tried to work on her laptop, unable to use her space properly.
Other Russian passengers on the flight complained bitterly about the atmosphere, with one remarking they were travelling in what they sarcastically called 'Discomfort Class' rather than economy. The victim later commented on the situation, stating: 'This is freedom, you just don't get it… Freedom that other people take away.'
Crew Intervention and Passenger Theories
A woman cabin crew member eventually crouched down to speak with the offending passenger, calmly explaining that she needed to remove her feet from the seat back for safety and comfort reasons. According to reports from the Mash news outlet, the passenger in the aisle seat eventually lowered her feet after this intervention, though the dispute had already caused significant disruption.
Throughout the entire incident, which occurred early in the flight, the so-called 'passenger from hell' remained completely silent, adding to the tension. One theory circulating among travellers was that she had been refused an upgrade to business class and was protesting by stretching out her legs as if she were flying in premium seating.
A male passenger described the crew's efforts: 'They tried to persuade her, tried and tried. They tried to persuade her to move her legs, she doesn't want to, she wants to fly like this. People are going mad.' Another woman passenger remarked wryly: 'This can only happen in Russia,' highlighting the cultural dimensions some perceived in the incident.
The victim summarised her tormentor's behaviour with a pointed proverb: 'As the saying goes, you can take a person out of the dirt, but the dirt doesn't come out of the person.' Meanwhile, as the woman in a green top and jeans stretched out her legs, a nearby man joked darkly: 'This is business class,' underscoring the absurdity of the situation.
