Seven men were bundled off a Jet2 flight from Manchester to Tenerife when the pilot made a diversion following a row between passengers.
The flight landed in Portugal following a bust-up, which was caught on camera. A man 'spat at a woman', it has been claimed.
Onlookers said an argument started around two hours into the flight on Thursday evening (October 3).
A number of men were said to have thrown punches.
An air stewardess broke up the fight, witnesses said, and a man was moved to the front of the plane.
But things quickly got heated again.
Passengers tried to break up a second fight. A man then reportedly spat at a woman.
Someone is heard shouting: "There's children on the airplane."
One man can be heard saying: "He f***ing spat on a woman - dirty b******."
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The captain announced plans to divert the plane and land in Faro, Portugal.
Security then bundled seven men off the plane, witnesses said.
Two hours later, the plane completed its journey to Tenerife.
Nathan Belford, 30, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: "We couldn't believe what was happening. We just wanted to go on holiday.
"Punches were thrown and the stewardess broke them up.
"But then they kicked off again and passengers actually intervened to calm them down.
"One woman got in the way, but a guy spat in her eye. It was disgusting.
"After that, cabin decided to divert to Portugal."
Speaking about security taking the men off the plane, Nathan added: "It waas impressive - one of the guys they had to carry off was at least six-foot-six."
Jet2 confirmed a row between passengers had erupted, saying: "As a family friendly airline we will not tolerate disruptive behaviour of any sort.
"As such we will always take the appropriate action to ensure that our passengers and staff do not have to endure the unacceptable actions of a small minority.
"We take this matter very seriously and we are liaising with the relevant authorities."
