Israeli Passengers Cause Ruckus on Lufthansa Flight And Get Arrested in Germany

Six Israeli passengers disrupted a Lufthansa flight from Ben Gurion airport to Frankfurt, repeatedly violating mask requirements and airline policies despite warnings from crew members. The passengers removed their masks shortly after takeoff, contravening coronavirus regulations. They purchased alcohol at duty-free shops before boarding and began drinking during the flight. When flight attendants approached them, the passengers responded with profanity and verbal abuse. Crew members warned them against their conduct, and the pilot issued orders over the loudspeaker instructing them to remain seated, but the passengers continued standing and drinking shots from an opened bottle.

Upon landing in Frankfurt, the flight crew requested police assistance. Officers arrested the six passengers as they disembarked.

A fellow passenger described the incident: "They had their masks off for the entirety of the flight. They continued to stand in spite of being told several times to sit down, including being told by the pilot over the loudspeaker. They opened a bottle of alcohol and began doing shots. Nothing helped. When we arrived, the pilot asked us all to stay in our seats as police had been asked to intervene and were currently boarding the plane. The six passengers cursed out the staff and continued drinking. They were simply acting in a disgusting manner. This was well out of the ordinary. It was embarrassing for us all."