This is the moment a mass brawl erupted between British passengers on a flight from Turkey to Manchester, forcing the jet to make an emergency diversion.

Dramatic footage shows passengers screaming as travellers traded punches and wrestled in the aisle mid-air.

Chaos quickly spread through the cabin, with terrified families and elderly travellers  caught up in the disorder.

Witnesses described seeing blood on seats and teeth scattered on the floor.

The flight was diverted to Brussels yesterday evening after violence reportedly broke out when one passenger tried to snatch another’s phone.

Police boarded the aircraft on landing and took two individuals into custody.

Passengers claimed one of those detained had been drinking heavily and making racist remarks before the situation escalated into a confrontation with cabin crew over cigarettes.

This is the moment a mass brawl erupted between British passengers on a flight from Turkey to Manchester, forcing the jet to make an emergency diversion

Dramatic footage shows travellers screaming as passengers traded punches and wrestled with each other in the aisle

Chaos quickly spread through the cabin, with terrified families and elderly travellers caught up in the disorder

Police boarded the aircraft on landing and took two individuals into custody

‘At one point it became very physical. Passengers were distressed. People were frightened. The atmosphere turned chaotic,’ one traveller said.

Another added: ‘Respect to the passengers who stood up against the racism, including the kind person who sat with and comforted those shaken. The Jet2 crew dealt with the situation calmly and professionally.’ 

The pilot later told passengers that in 30 years of flying he could count his emergency landings on one hand, adding he had never witnessed an incident as violent.

The aircraft later continued to Manchester following the unscheduled diversion.

Jet2 described the behaviour as ‘appalling’ and said those involved would be banned for life.