Harrogate man jailed after drunken holiday flight brawl at Leeds Bradford Airport

A family holiday flight from Leeds Bradford Airport turned chaotic after a drunken fight involving two Harrogate men forced police to board the aircraft before take-off.

What should have been the start of a sunshine break to Crete ended in prison for one passenger after violence broke out on board, leaving fellow travellers and cabin crew fearing for their safety.

✈️ Holiday flight descends into chaos

Nathan Cooper, 44, from Dene Park, Harrogate, has been jailed for 15 months after admitting affray and being drunk on an aircraft.

The incident happened on 24 July last year aboard a Jet2 flight bound for Chania, Crete. As the aircraft was taxiing towards the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport, a fight broke out in the rear galley between Cooper and another passenger.

Cabin crew quickly intervened, but the disturbance escalated, prompting police to board the aircraft.

👮 Violence continued after police arrived

When officers attempted to arrest Cooper, he punched one police officer and bit another.

A mostly empty bottle of vodka was later recovered from his seat.

Leeds Crown Court heard the disturbance caused fear among passengers and crew and disrupted the journey before it had even left the ground.

Alongside his prison sentence, Cooper was ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

Another Harrogate man still due in court

A second man, Chris McCann, 45, also from Harrogate, admitted being drunk on an aircraft but denies the affray charge.

He is due to stand trial in August 2027, with sentencing for the alcohol offence to follow.

⚠️ Police issue warning ahead of peak holiday season

With airports preparing for one of the busiest periods of the year, police are reminding travellers that excessive drinking can have serious consequences.

Inspector Kevin Lowther said one person’s behaviour can ruin the holiday plans of hundreds of others.

He added:

“A few people’s selfish actions have the power to derail the travel plans of every other passenger on their flight.

“Cabin staff should never have to deal with threatening or violent behaviour in their workplace.

“Our officers were also assaulted during this incident and that behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We hope this prison sentence sends a clear message about the consequences of drunk and violent behaviour on aircraft.”

At a glance

• ✈️ Flight: Jet2 from Leeds Bradford Airport to Chania, Crete
• 📍 Passenger: Nathan Cooper, 44, from Harrogate
• 🍾 Alcohol: Mostly empty bottle of vodka found at his seat
• 👮 Assaults: Punched one officer and bit another during arrest
• ⚖️ Sentence: 15 months in prison after pleading guilty
• 📅 Second defendant: Another Harrogate man will stand trial in August 2027

Have you flown from Leeds Bradford recently?

As the summer getaway season gets into full swing, this case is a reminder that alcohol-fuelled disorder on aircraft isn’t just embarrassing—it can lead to prison, cancelled holidays and major disruption for everyone on board.

For hundreds of passengers on this flight, what should have been the start of a relaxing break to Crete became a delayed journey they are unlikely to forget.