Passenger sues BA over football fans’ ‘rowdy behaviour’

A BUSINESSMAN claimed his British Airways flight was ruined by “out of control” Newcastle United fans as he sued the airline for compensation.

Christopher Pattinson, 58, says he was “not looked after” by cabin crew on a trip to Las Vegas in May last year, which was blighted by a group of Geordies in football shirts who drank 20 bottles of wine during the 10-hour flight and were “drunk and misbehaving.”

The group, who were “covered in tattoos”, put their feet on his headrest, engaged in “a tug of war” with staff over a bottle and refused to sit during landing, Central London County Court heard.

Mr Pattinson, who runs a PR and media company, sued BA, claiming thousands of pounds in damages for the stress and upset caused, which he said ruined the first week of his holiday.

He told the court it “can’t be right” that airlines have no responsibility to stop passengers being menaced.

Max Kasriel, for BA, told the judge that Mr Pattinson didn’t complain or ask to be moved. But Mr Pattinson said he had not dared speak out.

However, Judge Paul Brooks has now rejected Mr Pattinson’s claim, despite being “sympathetic” to his plight.