A chaotic scene unfolded on a Lion Air flight departing Bangkok on June 25 when a British tourist, wearing a bright orange Garfield T-shirt, demanded to be moved from his assigned window seat to the aisle in the emergency exit row. Crew members declined his request, prompting the passenger to lie down in the aisle and obstruct boarding.
Frustrated fellow travelers voiced their anger, calling the man “selfish” and urging him to move. After approximately an hour of delay, Thai police boarded the Boeing 737. Officers physically dragged him down the aisle—grabbing his arms and belt—to remove him from the aircraft. The flight eventually resumed its journey from Don Mueang International Airport.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges airlines face with disruptive passengers and the enforcement of seating rules, particularly when comfort requests escalate into safety concerns.