LONDON— A British Airways (BA) passenger has been found guilty of vaping, assault, and disobeying crew instructions on flight BA172 from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court convicted Louis Gaston, 31, of Lambeth, south London, on four charges following the November 2025 incident.
The court heard that Gaston smoked a vape in the lavatory of the British Airways aircraft, threatened to “bash” the heads of an American couple, and shoved a female passenger so forcefully that she sustained bruises.
The events occurred during the overnight transatlantic service into London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on November 23, 2025.
British Airways Passenger Convicted for Assault
District Judge Kathryn Verghis found Gaston guilty on all four counts at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court. The convictions cover two counts of assault by beating, one count of failing to obey the lawful commands of a pilot while on an aircraft, and one count of smoking in an aircraft.
Gaston had denied every charge during the trial. The judge stated she was satisfied he was “angry and confrontational,” used bad language, and barged into other passengers in a crowded aisle where there was no space to move. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 2026.
In her summary, Judge Verghis said the defendant had been vaping in the toilet, refused to cooperate when asked to sit down, and required a fellow passenger to fasten his seatbelt. She described the picture presented to the court as one of “defiant, angry, confrontational behaviour.”
Incident Onboard British Airways Flight BA172
The six-hour overnight flight departed New York JFK and was approaching London Heathrow at around 08:00 local time on November 23, 2025. Cabin crew preparing the aircraft for descent noticed Gaston was not in his assigned seat.
A flight attendant located him inside one of the lavatories and knocked on the door, instructing him to return to his seat for landing. When Gaston opened the door, the lead cabin crew member reported detecting a “weed smell” comparable to CBD oil and a visible “vapour mist” inside the toilet cubicle. Gaston then shut the door.
Gaston told the court the smell and vapour came from the aircraft’s air freshener, which he had sprayed after using the toilet. Two cabin crew members rejected this explanation, telling the court the odour did not match the air freshener used onboard British Airways aircraft.
A second crew member subsequently pushed the bifold door open and again instructed him to return to his seat, Manchester Evening News reported.
Cannabis Use And Alcohol Consumption Before Boarding
Gaston admitted he was a regular cannabis user and had smoked a “spliff” in New York prior to boarding the British Airways flight home.
He also told the court he had consumed two or three gin and tonics along with vodka during the flight, but denied being drunk onboard.
After leaving the lavatory, Gaston sat in a seat near the toilet that was not his own. He ignored repeated instructions to fasten his seatbelt for landing, and a nearby passenger eventually secured the seatbelt on his behalf.
Assault on an American Couple After Landing At Heathrow
Following touchdown at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), the aircraft waited approximately one hour on the tarmac for buses to transport passengers to the terminal. Gaston attempted to return to his correct seat several rows back to collect his hand luggage while the aisle remained full.
American passengers Zachary Lowry and his wife, Laurel Dillon, seated a few rows ahead of Gaston, asked him to wait as the aisle had no room. Gaston pushed past the couple three or four times. Unable to locate his bag, he made repeated threats toward them.
Giving evidence by video link from the United States, Ms Dillon said Gaston told her: “You do not want to see me off this plane, you had better move or I will hurt you.” She added that he also said, “If you do not make room, I’m going to make room, and I will bash your heads together.”
On a later pass through the aisle, Gaston placed his hand on Ms Dillon’s arm and hip and shoved her into her seat with enough force to leave bruises. Mr Lowry, also appearing by video link, said the experience left him “uncomfortable, embarrassed and frustrated.” He told the court the couple was eventually escorted off the aircraft in a police van.
Defence Arguments Rejected By The Court
Defence solicitor Stacey McAdam argued that the case had not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. She submitted that no witness had directly seen her client vaping, that Gaston may not have heard the knocks on the toilet door, and that he had, in fact, fastened his seatbelt.
The defence also argued that Ms Dillon and Mr Lowry could have made space for Gaston in the aisle, but chose not to. Gaston denied issuing any threats and said he had only “brushed past” the couple, although he admitted using language including “move out of my f****** way” and “let me f****** get by.”
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Rachel Dudley, Gaston also claimed Mr Lowry, described as six feet tall, had “forcefully tried to block” him from accessing his seat. The court rejected the defence position in full.
Wider Context On Vaping And Disruptive Behaviour Onboard Aircraft
Smoking, including the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes, is prohibited on commercial flights operated by British Airways and all UK-registered carriers. The restriction is supported by the risk of lithium-ion battery fires from vape devices in the confined cabin environment.
Failure to obey the lawful commands of a pilot is an offence under UK aviation law and can carry custodial sentences. Sentencing for Gaston in June 2026 will determine the penalty for the combined assault, smoking, and non-compliance convictions.
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