Flight crew fight, passengers watch

As an Air India aeroplane flew at 30,000ft, passengers were witness to a scuffle between the pilots and cabin crew.

Punches were thrown amongst Air India employees on an Airbus A320 plane flying from the United Arab Emirates to Delhi.

Air India grounded two pilots and crew members involved in the mid-air scuffle in Sunday, and Delhi Police registered a case of molestation against the pilots after a complaint filed by an air hostess reports The Times of India.

It is understood the scuffle took place after a stewardess was allegedly abused and pushed in the cockpit after refusing to grant the pilots "personal favours".

Another crew member is said to have then intervened and a fight ensued.

"The scuffle between the two pilots and cabin crew members was reported yesterday morning," an Air India spokesperson said on Sunday.

"As there have been claims and counter-claims between the parties involved, the management has ordered an enquiry, which is still in progress," the spokesperson added.

The incident happened on Sunday as the plane was flying over Pakistan having taken off from Sharjah where there had allegedly been arguments between crew members at the pre-flight briefing.

Delhi police are quoted in media reports as saying that a stewardess had sustained bruises and hand injuries and that her complaint was that she had been "abused, manhandled and assaulted in an undignified way".

However, it has also been reported that the two pilots have claimed that a male flight attendant started the incident with misconduct that threatened the safety of the 106 passengers and seven crew.

The flight landed safely.

- NZ HERALD STAFF