Passenger Arrested After Slapping Flight Attendant on Taiwan Flight

The 71-year-old woman was placed on a no-fly list following the incident.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:26pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and scuffed airplane window shade, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh flash illuminates the aftermath of an in-flight altercation, exposing the fragility of air travel safety.Los Angeles Today

A 71-year-old female passenger was arrested and placed on a no-fly list after she allegedly slapped a flight attendant during a flight from Japan to Taiwan. Video footage captured the moment the senior citizen struck the 33-year-old flight attendant after the two inadvertently bumped into each other in the aisle.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges airlines face with unruly passenger behavior, which has become an increasing concern for the industry. Passenger aggression towards flight crews can jeopardize in-flight safety and lead to serious legal consequences.

The details

As the Tigerair Taiwan flight from Fukushima, Japan to Taipei, Taiwan was preparing to land, the passenger, identified by her surname Zhang, stood up in the aisle to put on her shoes despite the crew's instructions to remain seated. When the flight attendant, surnamed Liu, inadvertently bumped into Zhang while conducting final safety checks, the senior became agitated and started yelling at the crew member. After the attendant offered medical assistance, Zhang slapped her in the face, as captured on video.

  • The incident occurred on April 3, 2026 during the flight's descent into Taipei.
  • Upon landing at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, authorities arrested Zhang.

The players

Zhang

A 71-year-old female passenger who was arrested and placed on a no-fly list following the incident.

Liu

A 33-year-old Tigerair Taiwan flight attendant who was allegedly slapped by the passenger.

Tigerair Taiwan

The airline that operated the flight from Fukushima, Japan to Taipei, Taiwan and has condemned the passenger's behavior, vowing to defend the legal rights of its crew member.

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What’s next

Both the flight attendant and the passenger are reportedly pressing charges against each other over the incident, with potential lawsuits also in the mix.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges airlines face in dealing with unruly passenger behavior, which can jeopardize in-flight safety and lead to serious legal consequences for those involved. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and effective policies to protect flight crews and maintain order on commercial flights.