'Smoking couple' on TUI plane turn airport into 'warzone' as Brits stranded for 17 hours and flight abandoned

A pair of passengers were kicked off a holiday flight after being caught smoking in the onboard toilets.

The plane was headed for London Gatwick before the couple were caught breaking one of the biggest rules on an airplane.

As a result, everyone else was offloaded during an emergency landing, stranding them in an American airport for over 17 hours.

The diversion left many stranded as the aircraft was grounded in Maine after departing from Cancun, Mexico shortly before.

The incident began just an hour into the journey on 8 July, as the captain announced that the couple were caught smoking, and if they refused to stop, he would have no choice but to divert the flight.

Three and a half hours later, true to his word, he announced that the flight would be diverting to Bangor International Airport in Maine, USA.

Terry was one of many passengers who suffered as a result (SWNS)

Touching down at half past nine at night, the culprits were kicked off the flight, but other passengers were left in the balance.

Terry, one of the passengers, claimed that they were sat in their seats for five more hours, and even taxied to prepare for take-off, before the TUI flight was called off altogether.

This was due to the crew not being able to operate for the remainder of the journey due to working hours.

A back-up flight was prepared quickly, as a new crew was sent from the UK across the pond to fly everyone back.

Terry claimed that while they were waiting for the cavalry, passengers were kept in the military airbase section of the airport while waiting for the airline to get the relief crew over.

A flight would eventually take off at 3pm local time on 9 July, with passengers safely travelling home.

Terry shared videos of the situation on social media, which showed rows of beds with passengers in them, waiting for the next update.

He claimed they were in the airport for over 12 hours, claiming that people were starting to get 'fed up'.

"It was like a warzone in a lounge - rows and rows of beds. All our luggage was still on the plane whilst we waited. TUI told us a relief crew was being sent from the UK because the current crew had used up their hours," he claimed.

Passengers were forced to wait for a new crew at the airport in Maine (SWNS)

Flightradar24 revealed that the plane turned back to Maine after reaching Canadian airspace.

Terry recalled the pilot reading out the riot act and threatening to turn back if they continued, claiming: "They were obviously drunk. The captain then said we'd be getting going again once the paperwork has been done,

"We were sat on the plane on the ground for five hours - the plane started taxing again and we thought 'great' and then they said there was a problem with flight plan, and we have to get off," he said.

The Brit added that they had to wait 'six or seven hours' before being offered a beverage.

LADbible has reached out to TUI for comment.