Passenger Allegedly Assaults Crew After Refusing Seat Next to Woman
A 29-year-old male passenger allegedly assaulted a cabin crew member on a flight scheduled to operate between Düsseldorf and Türkiye by an airline based in Türkiye on June 1, 2026, after refusing to sit next to a female passenger.
According to German newspaper Bild, the passenger, a German citizen of Turkish origin, said he did not want to sit next to a woman for religious reasons. The situation reportedly escalated after a cabin crew member warned him about his behaviour, and the passenger allegedly struck the crew member.
Authorities launched legal proceedings following the incident. The passenger is reportedly under investigation on suspicion of intentional bodily harm.
Düsseldorf police said that, according to initial witness statements, the passenger refused to sit next to a woman, citing Sharia law. The suspect also reportedly admitted the incident during his statement to police.
Source: Bild
