Pair Reportedly Attempted To 'Storm The Cockpit,' Threatened Flight Attendant's Family

A British Airways flight made an unscheduled stop on a flight from London's Gatwick airport to Tunisia on New Year's Day after two reportedly very intoxicated women created a scene onboard the Boeing 737.

Media reports from multiple sources including the UK newspaper The Mail indicate that the two women, aged 50 and 43, consumed a large amount of alcohol from a bottle, and then tried to force their way into the cockpit of the airplane. Witnesses said the pair used inappropriate language in front of children on the plane, and that they even threatened to "kill" the family of one of the flight attendants on board.

The two then reportedly hid in one of the airplane's lavatories to smoke.

The plane eventually diverted to Lyon, where the two passengers were escorted from the aircraft by French police. They were incarcerated for a night, and then put on a flight back to London.

In a statement, British Airways said of the incident "Monday's BA2664 service from Gatwick to Tunis was diverted to Lyon following the continued disruptive behaviour of two female passengers. Our customers and flying crew deserve a safe and enjoyable flight experience. We do not tolerate any disruptive behaviour on board our flights."

The two women may be permanently banned from flying on British Airways. The airline and British authorities are investigating the incident.

FMI: www.britishairways.com