Two women removed from British Airways flight ‘after MAGA cap altercation’

Two women removed after onboard confrontation sparked by political hat.

Two women were ejected from a British Airways flight at Heathrow Airport following a confrontation reportedly triggered by a Make America Great Again (MAGA) cap.

The altercation unfolded on Saturday as the women, aged 40 and 60, were preparing to board a flight to Austin, Texas. According to witness accounts, one of the women took offence at the other’s red MAGA cap, commonly worn by supporters of the former US president Donald Trump. She requested that the cap be removed, as reported by the Sun newspaper.

The flight, British Airways BA191, was scheduled for departure at 12:10 p.m. but ultimately left at 2:11 p.m., without the two women onboard. Both women were said to have escalated their disagreement, reportedly exchanging punches before confronting each other in the cabin aisle. The situation prompted the flight captain to seek assistance, and law enforcement soon arrived at the scene, escorting the pair from the aircraft.

No arrests were made, but both women filed affray claims against one another, leading to an ongoing police investigation. A Heathrow police spokesperson commented on the incident, saying, “Shortly after 12:45 p.m. on Monday, 28 October, police were alerted to an altercation between two women awaiting a flight in Terminal 5.” The spokesperson confirmed that enquiries remain in progress.

In response, British Airways apologised to the remaining passengers for the delay and expressed efforts to get the flight back on schedule as soon as possible. “We apologised to our customers for the delay and got them on the way as quickly as possible,” the airline’s statement read.

An insider from Heathrow described the incident as unusual, especially given the close proximity to the US presidential election. “Tensions are sky high with the election approaching, and crew members couldn’t risk an in-flight brawl at 30,000 feet,” they explained. The source also noted the rarity of a flight being delayed specifically over a passenger’s choice of headgear. “It was extraordinary,” they added.