Air travel has acquired a negative ritual where passengers board the sealed metal cabin, forgetting that they are in a public place, and then wonder why the crew asks them to behave like adults.
Cabin crew recently shared what happens behind the scenes of the galley, revealing that the job is far from a 'luxurious journey' and more like 'crowd control at 35,000 feet.' In fact, flights are increasingly turning into Friday night parties, but with wings.
The BBC reported last month that British officials are discussing introducing a national list of banned passengers, which would allow airlines to exchange information about violators and potentially prevent them from booking with other carriers after one company bans them.
Currently, an airline can permanently ban a passenger, but this does not guarantee that they cannot book a ticket with a competitor. The airline Jet2 recently supported the 'exchange system,' permanently banning two passengers in February after an on-board fight on a flight from Turkey to Manchester.
Interviews with crew members explain why airlines are striving to strengthen control measures. Clara, a 26-year-old flight attendant who has worked for budget airlines for over two years, told the publication that bachelor parties are worse than other groups, summer is worse than winter, and Ibiza is worse than Bruges. She noted that British passengers 'drink as if they have never drunk before.'
Thomas, 27, agreed, remarking: 'Well, drunken Brits—you know how it is.' Besides alcohol consumption, there are other issues. The union Unite, which represents most of the UK's cabin crew, reported last year that 34% of women in the field experienced sexual harassment at work, and 67% faced unwanted flirting or sexual remarks. The same survey showed that 65% received sexually offensive jokes, and 55% were subjected to inappropriate touching.
For cabin crew, a drunk passenger in row 18 is not a funny airport story, but a threat to their job. Clara continues that a huge number of people behave as if they are in a club. They might say things like, 'You are very cute' or 'I have never seen such a beautiful flight attendant'; they might offer a drink and ask for an Instagram link.
One crew member recounted that passengers find staff on Instagram using name tags. Another pain point is not staying seated when asked. The reason this causes significant conflict is largely economic: if a person falls during takeoff, landing, or turbulence, the airline is liable for their likely injury.
Clara recalls an incident: 'Once I had to intervene. A child needed the toilet, and the father got so angry that he ordered his son to pee in a bottle. But when they got off the plane, he threw the urine bottle at my colleagues. He just threw it at them, like throwing something at a dog.' Another man got so angry that he urinated on the cabin door.
The job itself seems exhausting even before passengers arrive: early starts, late finishes, jet lag, cabin pressure, and tight service deadlines. Some airlines now set a target service time of 25 minutes between landing and the next takeoff, which is not enough time to clean the aircraft, even if the cabin crew were paid for it, which is often not the case.
The scenes witnessed by cabin crew—dirty diapers, excrement on toilet walls, snack crumbs everywhere, and of course, all that urine from protests—likely confirm Thomas's nihilistic conclusion: 'When you really encounter all segments of the population, you see that there are very good people, but there are also completely dirty slobs.'
Clara agrees that the job is draining. 'It's not something you can do your whole life,' she said. The old romance of flying was built around smiling staff, small bottles, and a vague idea that everyone on board was heading somewhere exciting. The modern version, it seems, includes vapes in the toilets, blacklists, and turning cabin crew into the last sober people in the air.
After a family secured its right to ancestral land in Constantia through a temporary court injunction, they announced their intention to challenge the violation of the National Heritage Site status after one of the cottages on the property was demolished.
On Monday, police officers were present at the site where the roof of the historic cottage was dismantled. The residents of this cottage claim to have ancestral rights to the land, and they have been granted a court order preventing their eviction.
The family and its representative, Subeiga Benjamin, were at the scene on Monday accompanied by human rights defender Taurik Jenkins and GOOD Party council member Suzette Little. The roof demolition took place at the property located at 2133 Pagasvlei Farm in Constantia.
The roof demolition occurred just days after the Wynberg Magistrate's Court granted Benjamin—representative of the Mattius and Tebus families—a temporary restraining order against returning to the property. Police were also called to the site on Monday. This property is part of various ERFs, which contain historical cottages recognized by Heritage Western Cape because they are over 60 years old.
A family of 25 people, including five minors who share a common ancestor, was evicted from the property on July 11 following a police visit that demanded proof of ownership.
Benjamin emphasized that the obtained injunction was a victory for their families, who faced eviction during apartheid. She reported that they were informed in the morning that the roof of the cottage, which is a National Heritage Site and part of her family's cottages, was being removed.
Michael Harris, identified as the property owner and part of the Richard Harris Family Trust, stated that the cottage is on his land and poses a health hazard. He also reported that the roof had been removed. Jenkins warned the men that dismantling the roof violates the status of a National Heritage Site.
Harris countered by calling the structure a 'health hazard' and stated that he would seek legal advice regarding the temporary court order allowing the family to return to the land. He claimed that the building had been vacant for ten years, was full of mold, and was dangerous to people.
Police on site stated that they could only respond to court orders, referencing the 'unit' where the family resided. They requested that all work cease until a court decision is made and stated that they were acting only as peacekeepers.
Suzette Little, welcoming the court's victory, called for the further return of lands to other families in Cape Town. She noted that the destruction of the historical structure is occurring on the property even after the court issued an order ensuring the family's return to the area. Little stressed that the case will return to court before a final decision on the destruction of the property is made.
Taurik Jenkins confirmed that according to Heritage Western Cape, no permits had been obtained for the alterations. He reminded that an application to demolish the same property was submitted in 2015, which Heritage Western Cape rejected due to the contextual value of the site.
Nigeria and Ghana have decided to consolidate their efforts to counter protests against illegal immigration taking place ahead of the African Union Summit, demonstrating a powerful front of solidarity.
This decision was reached following a bilateral meeting held during the ECOWAS Mid-Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Discussions focused on combating xenophobia and ensuring the protection of African migrants across the continent.
Recent events in South Africa have triggered a wave of protests, as some groups accuse foreign nationals, particularly compatriots, of occupying jobs and resources of local residents, further escalating tensions.
On July 17, 2026, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bola Akinanoloye, met with Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The ministers affirmed the strength of their partnership, called for decisive diplomatic action, and renewed their commitment to achieving restorative justice for transatlantic slavery.
They emphasized the importance of the recent United Nations resolution on this matter. The ministers expressed serious concern over the recent surge in Afrophobic protests and attacks on African citizens in South Africa.
They strongly condemned all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance, and violence, warning that such actions threaten the foundations of Pan-Africanism, regional unity, the ideals of the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The ministers also stressed that migrants accused of crimes should be viewed through the lens of the rule of law, not through mob violence. By standing together at the diplomatic level and advocating for legal protection, they aim to assure African migrants that their safety and rights are paramount.
These commitments should stimulate deeper cooperation between governments and local authorities, paving the way for enhanced security, improved support services, and the creation of a safer environment for migrants facing discrimination or violence. The ministers pledged to work jointly with other African Union member states to strengthen monitoring, establish early warning systems, and employ preventive diplomacy to address future challenges.
They strongly urged all member states to uphold Pan-Africanism, mutual respect, and the free movement of people. Furthermore, they supported current public education and dialogue, confirming their readiness to act jointly through ECOWAS, the African Union, and other international organizations.
In May and June 2026, the Ghana Border Control Agency and the High Commission of Ghana organized voluntary repatriations, processing 963 Ghanaian citizens leaving South Africa under various operations, according to IOL.
Between June 10 and July 15, 2026, Nigeria evacuated and repatriated 1,490 South African citizens. This official evacuation followed an increase in anti-immigration demonstrations and pressure on undocumented foreign nationals.
Notably, the South African Department of Home Affairs officially deported and banned 586 illegal Nigerian citizens from entering the country for five years.
The South African government firmly rejects the label of a xenophobic nation. Official statements assert that public protests and government actions are aimed solely at addressing issues of illegal immigration and crime, not at the foreign nationals themselves.
Migration expert Gideon Chitanga from the Centre for African Chinese Studies at the University of Johannesburg urged African countries to refrain from spreading divisive narratives that fuel tension and to support hostile groups or organizations within Africa, specific countries, or communities.
Chitanga noted that the South African government is discussing its efforts to resolve these issues. He advised other African governments to support local initiatives for resolving complex immigration matters in South Africa, to cooperate closely with South African institutions for their lawful resolution, and to coordinate their actions.
Chitanga added that the protests contribute to division and create significant obstacles to continental economic integration, urging leaders to carefully consider whether to foster such division. He concluded that concerted action by African countries to address both domestic and continental socio-economic and security issues would significantly help in solving the problem of illegal immigration.
Even before dawn, twenty-year-old Aaswati begins her daily route through the streets of Alappuzha, Kerala. She delivers newspapers to sixty houses every morning.
Her work allows her not only to cover college tuition expenses but also to contribute to her mother's medical treatment. Despite various obstacles, including rain and flooded roads, Aaswati demonstrates resilience, refusing to let despair take over, and carries hope for her family with every trip.
Individuals wishing to support Aaswati's education and her mother's treatment can contact her via email at: aswathysasikumar333@gmail.com. Any act of kindness can help advance her life goals.
