TV Stars Fined After Disorderly Conduct Onboard British Airways

Three contestants on Netflix reality show Too Hot to Handle have been fined for their disorderly behavior on a British Airways flight on February 7th. The passengers were flying back to the United Kingdom from the Caribbean via Miami after filming the second series of the show. Notably, one of the rowdy travelers is Matthew Mawhinney, the son of former Attorney General and present Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations Baroness Scotland. The 29-year old launched a foul-mouthed tirade against a flight attendant.

The trio had been arrested after their conduct. Photo: Getty Images

Not following orders

Along with, Mawhinney fellow contestants on the show, Harry Johnson and Beaux Greenslade, were also arrested due to their conduct. They were all ecstatic after the completion of filming, but their excitement came at the expense of others on board.

The three failed to obey a command by the pilot to adopt face masks. They then went on to use threatening language at crew members, according to a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court this week.

The captain also took the decision not to serve the disruptors any further alcohol amid disorderly conduct. When flight attendant Sophie Griffiths tried to read Johnson and Greenslade a warning letter, according to The Mirror, Greenslade called her a “f*****g b***h” and said “f**k the captain.”

The contestants have also had their prize fund frozen. Photo: Getty Images

Threatening conduct

When Mawhinney heard about the alcohol refusal, he said began swearing at the attendant. He then reportedly scrunched up the warning letter and threw it. He was also spotted doing pushups in the aisle and was heard moaning about being in economy.

In a statement shared by The Mirror, Griffiths said:

“I have never experienced anything like that sort of behaviour in my career. Matthew Mawhinney was unpredictable so it worried me as to what he was doing to do next. Matthew Mawhinney and Beaux Greenslade were the worst behaved of the group. Beaux Greenslade was threatening me against my profession intimating to me she was going to get me sacked and Matthew Mawhinney was threatening me with his family connections saying ‘do you know who my mum is?’”

Other crew members and passengers have also expressed concerns about the loudness and displays of intimacy by the contestants.

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The verdict

Altogether, all three defendants in the court were ordered the pay a fine of £2,335 ($3,226) each. They have also been ordered to pay compensation to Griffiths and another flight attendant, Heather Wenn. The pair will receive £500 ($691) each.

Across the industry, attendants are continuing to have to deal with face mask issues. Photo: Getty Images

According to British Airways, masks are required at all times. The airline also recommends bringing more than one mask due to the company highlighting that as a guide, each mask lasts up to four hours.

Overall, there have been several rowdy incidents surrounding masks over the last year. Several of these have also ended in threatening behavior to flight attendants, especially when there is alcohol involved. Crew members facing such significant difficulties as it is. So, situations such as these just add to the challenges of ensuring passenger safety on board.

Simple Flying reached out to British Airways for comment on the inflight incident. We will update the article with any further announcements from the airline.

What are your thoughts about the incident on this British Airways flight to the UK in February? What do you make of the overall behavior? Let us know what you think of the situation in the comment section.

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