Chiswick Man Ejected from Air Canada Flight Avoids Jail
Racially abused crew after dispute over coffee
Aghgaleh being escorted off the plane at Heathrow. Picture: Facebook
A plane passenger from Chiswick who erupted in rage and hurled racist abuse at cabin crew after being refused a cup of coffee has avoided jail, despite being convicted of multiple offences including racially aggravated harassment and threatening behaviour.
Akbar Aghgaleh, 61, was returning from a sightseeing trip to Niagara Falls with his wife when he became aggressive aboard an Air Canada flight from Montreal to Heathrow on 29 August 2024. As the Boeing 787 Dreamliner began its descent into London, Aghgaleh demanded coffee, claiming he needed it to take medication, and launched into a tirade when told service had ended.
According to cabin crew member, Aghgaleh stood up with his fists clenched in a “fighting stance” and shouted: “I need my fing coffee. Get me the fing supervisor… Oh you’re the fing supervisor.”* When asked to calm down and fasten his seatbelt, he responded: “I am fing calm. If we aren’t landing in five minutes, I am going to sue your f**ing ass.”
Aghgaleh later claimed he had asked five times for coffee to take his medication and had not received food or drink during the nine-hour flight.
Other passengers reportedly prepared to intervene as the situation escalated. Ms Knights-Fullum said she felt “scared and shocked,” fearing Aghgaleh might strike her or someone else.
Police boarded the aircraft upon landing and escorted Aghgaleh off the plane. Bodycam footage played in court showed him shouting “Gypsy Canada. Gypsy Canadians” and squaring up to an officer, insisting “I am British like you are.”
Aghgaleh did not attend his trial at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court where he was given a financial penalty rather than a custodial sentence due to his age. He must pay £1,326 made of a fine, trial costs and a victim surcharge.
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