Overview
- Zoe Alexander, sentenced Wednesday at Manchester Crown Court, received five months in prison suspended for 18 months with a 12‑month foreign travel ban, 20 rehabilitation days, a 90‑day alcohol abstinence tag, and £75 compensation to each victim.
- During a TUI flight from Manchester to Cuba in August 2022, she drank brandy, punched, kicked and bit crew and passengers, was restrained with a cabin kit, and was taken off the aircraft by Cuban police on landing.
- Victim statements described lasting distress, with one flight attendant calling it the most frightening incident in a 30‑year career and a helping passenger reporting threats against his children after being hit.
- Alexander had initially denied being drunk on an aircraft and three assaults but switched to guilty pleas in March, and the judge noted similar cases often lead to immediate custody before accepting mitigation on childcare and mental health.
- The sentencing lands as airlines renew calls to curb early airport alcohol sales, with Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary urging tighter hours and pub chain Wetherspoon’s chief disputing that its venues drive in‑flight disorder.