Man admits attacking Air NZ steward

A businessman who flew into a rage on an Air New Zealand flight and attacked a steward has pleaded guilty to assault and disorderly behaviour charges.

Michael Robert King, 46, had to be handcuffed to his seat by three male flight attendants and an off-duty policeman two hours into a Hong Kong to Auckland flight last July.

He struggled violently and repeatedly kicked the seat in front of him, smashing the in-flight entertainment screen and flattening the seat, according to court documents.

Air New Zealand described it as "one of the more serious incidents on a flight in recent years".

King pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court yesterday to disorderly behaviour on a plane and common assault, The Press reported.

Defence counsel Jonathan Eaton said King, a self-employed salesman, awoke in handcuffs in the custody of Auckland Airport police completely unaware of what had happened.

Judge Jane Farish said she accepted that King had no memory of his behaviour.

He was banned from Air New Zealand flights for two years, convicted and ordered to pay $2617.88 in reparation, and $500 for emotional harm to the attendant.

- NZPA