Mid-air brawl on AirAsia X flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu over loud passengers

Dubai: A heated argument between passengers escalated into a mid-air brawl on an AirAsia X flight from Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, to Chengdu, China, on the evening of July 21, according to reports by Daily Mail and The New York Post.

The incident occurred aboard an Airbus A320 (Flight D7326) that departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6:11pm and landed at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 10:13pm.

The trouble reportedly began after a male passenger confronted a group of women onboard for “talking loudly” after cabin lights were dimmed.

A passenger witness told ViralPress that the man, seeking rest, asked the women to lower their voices. When they refused, the man reportedly called them “stupid” and told them to “shut up,” prompting a verbal exchange that quickly escalated.

Viral footage shows a woman in green and a white baseball cap climbing over a seat and repeatedly punching the man, who shielded himself behind his tray table as cabin crew intervened.

Another witness stated that one woman’s mother joined the fray, with two women physically attacking the man. The cabin crew eventually stepped in and managed to calm the passengers.

Despite crew intervention onboard, the altercation caught the attention of Chinese authorities.

Police from the Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department were reportedly waiting at Chengdu airport to question those involved. An investigation has since been launched, though it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made.

In a statement to Mothership, AirAsia X confirmed the altercation on Flight D7326 and commended the cabin crew for their swift and professional handling of the situation according to established safety protocols. The airline further stated that local authorities were notified and met the aircraft upon arrival to ensure appropriate action was taken.

AirAsia X emphasised that the incident did not disrupt flight schedules or airport operations. The airline reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward any behavior affecting passenger comfort, safety, or experience, and reminded all guests to maintain respectful conduct throughout their journey.

This mid-air confrontation highlights ongoing challenges airlines face in managing passenger behavior during flights, particularly amid efforts to enforce cabin etiquette when lights are dimmed for rest.