TUI Cancun to London Flight with 787 Diverts to Bangor, Passengers Arrested

BANGOR— British tourists returning home aboard TUI Airways (BY) were stranded at Bangor Airport (BGR) after their Cancun (CUN) to London Gatwick (LGW) flight diverted due to a disruptive onboard incident.

The unexpected landing on July 8, 2025, left dozens of passengers without proper US entry clearance, forcing them to sleep overnight on cots inside the transit lounge of the Maine airport.

Photo- Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia; Wikimedia Commons

TUI Flight Diverts to Bangor

TUI Airways flight BY49 was cruising at 40,000 feet over North America when a midair altercation broke out between an intoxicated British couple.

The Cancun (CUN) to London Gatwick (LGW) service was promptly diverted to Bangor Airport (BGR), where law enforcement detained the disruptive passengers.

The unexpected diversion significantly delayed the flight, pushing the operating crew beyond their legally permitted duty hours under strict EU Flight Time Limitations (FTLs). Without sufficient crew rest, the flight could not resume that day, leaving both staff and passengers stranded.

To make matters worse, most passengers lacked a valid U.S. visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which prohibited them from legally entering the U.S. for hotel accommodations.

As a result, Bangor Airport authorities prepared makeshift sleeping arrangements with rows of cots inside the transit lounge.

By the following morning, TUI dispatched a replacement crew from London on a special flight, which first landed in Bangor before continuing on to Orlando (MCO).

Passengers from flight BY49 ultimately arrived at London Gatwick (LGW) at 1:20 a.m. on July 10—nearly two full days after their intended arrival.

TUI Under Fire for Serving Alcohol

Eyewitnesses reported that the couple involved in the altercation appeared drunk before boarding the aircraft in Cancun. Passengers claim that cabin crew continued to serve them alcohol after takeoff, intensifying the situation.

A TUI Airways spokesperson confirmed the airline is cooperating with British authorities but declined to comment further on the incident.

This is not the first time TUI has faced criticism over alcohol-related disruptions. In January 2023, another Cancun–Gatwick flight diverted to Bangor after two intoxicated men assaulted a flight attendant. Both men were jailed in the U.S. and ordered to pay over $26,000 in restitution.

Additionally, in a separate case last September, a British judge reprimanded TUI Airways for allowing two visibly drunk sisters to board a flight to Fuerteventura. That flight was delayed and returned to the gate before takeoff.

Photo: File: PH-TFM TUI Airlines Netherlands Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner @ Amsterdam – Schiphol (AMS)- Wikimedia Commons

Why Crew Rest Limits Halted the Flight

European flight crews are bound by strict Flight Time Limitations (FTLs) designed to prevent fatigue and ensure safety. These limits consider factors like time zone acclimatization and onboard rest facilities.

For flight BY49, the crew’s maximum duty time was reduced to approximately 11 hours due to time zone misalignment. While regulations allow for duty extensions under specific conditions, the flight’s short transatlantic leg made it impossible to meet the necessary rest thresholds. As a result, a relief crew had to be flown in, adding further delays.

Why Bangor Is a Frequent Diversion Point

Bangor Airport (BGR), located in northeastern Maine, is one of the final viable diversion airports for transatlantic flights leaving North America.

Its strategic location makes it a frequent stop when medical emergencies, security incidents, or unruly passenger situations arise just before aircraft reach the open Atlantic.

Given its accessibility and law enforcement support, Bangor is often preferred for midair incidents that require immediate attention.

Airline Offers Limited Compensation

TUI Airways has offered £200 future travel vouchers to affected passengers as compensation for the ordeal.

Many travelers, however, have voiced dissatisfaction over the situation, citing poor communication and questions around the airline’s alcohol service policies.

As investigations continue, the incident highlights ongoing concerns around alcohol consumption on flights and airline responsibility for passenger behavior at high altitudes.

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