- A passenger became upset while boarding a flight in Milan, and lied down on the ground while pounding their fists.
- Police and airline personnel attempted to aid and comfort the passenger, according to a recording of the incident.
- Airline gate agents have previously spoken out to government officials about the difficulties they face from unruly passengers.
Flying during the summer travel season can sometimes be a stressful experience, but one viral video revealed the extreme difficulty some travelers are having.
While a trip to Italy usually means relaxation and la dolce vita (or the sweet life), one woman hit the point of exasperation at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) due to a disagreement at the boarding counter, allegedly over the weight of a suitcase, the International Business Times reports.
The traveler, who was reported to be female, showed her frustration by lying down on the ground and pounding her fists into the stone flooring. At the same time, she was kicking her legs and stomping on the ground in despair. The traveler also waved a piece of paper throughout the disagreement.
The incident took place inside Milan Airport’s Terminal 1 at gate B30, presumably during the boarding process, based on airport signage in the video. Travelers could be seen keeping their distance, while some at the counter just stared at the woman as she displayed her frustration. The video also has audio of the incident, where the passenger begins wailing in rhythm with the physical motions.
In subsequent videos shared on Reddit, Italian police officers were seen talking to the woman as she sat on the ground. Airline personnel are also seen trying to calmly assist the passenger during the time of the event.
“Does having a tantrum at the airport ever work?” one person shared in a Reddit thread. “Oh you’re hysterical? Let’s get you trapped on a 6 hour flight then.” Other social media users called the passenger “childish” and compared her to a “toddler.”
According to news.com.au, the woman was not allowed to board her flight and had to book a new ticket. The airport did not reply to a request for comment from Travel + Leisure.
The incident is a reminder that while many airlines don’t routinely weigh bags or check sizes, it’s best practice to be ready to pivot plans if you’ve overpacked since every carrier has rules for carry-on luggage weight limits.
And, perhaps most importantly, outbursts against employees is never the solution. For years, airline employees, specifically flight attendants and gate agents, have spoken out about the difficult conditions they face from unruly and disruptive passengers. Numerous examples of assault, threats, and abuse were documented in a February 2022 letter from labor representatives of transportation workers and airline gate agents to federal government officials.
“Airline gate agents are a vital part of a multilayered airline security and safety process at the airport,” the letter reads. “Our members are responsible for checking passengers into their flights, checking luggage to comply with airline weight and balance limits and boarding passengers onto the aircraft in an orderly and structured way.”
