Virgin Atlantic passenger who threatened to gang-rape and kill flight attendant has term tripled

Salman Iftikhar, 38, a wealthy recruitment manager from Buckinghamshire, was travelling first class from London to Lahore, Pakistan, on February 7, 2023, when the shocking incident occurred.

What happened that day

According to reports, Iftikhar became intoxicated during the flight and began behaving aggressively towards the cabin crew.

The situation escalated when he was asked not to take ice with his bare hands.

Enraged, he responded with vile threats directed at flight attendant Angie Walsh, telling her she would be dragged from her hotel room in Pakistan, gang-raped, and set on fire.

The disturbing tirade was captured on video, in which Iftikhar could be heard hurling abuse and accusing Walsh of being racist.

His aggressive behaviour continued for nearly the entire eight-hour flight, targeting other crew members as well.

At one point, he allegedly threatened that the hotel where the crew were staying would be blown up.

The outburst was so severe that the cabin crew even discussed diverting the plane to Turkey for safety reasons.

Iftikhar, who was travelling with his wife and three children, was arrested upon landing.

'Haunted and traumatised'

The psychological toll on the crew was immense — Walsh later revealed that she was “haunted and traumatised” by the experience and was forced to take 14 months off work due to the emotional impact.

Initially, in August 2024, Isleworth Crown Court sentenced Iftikhar to 15 months in prison for one count of threats to kill and one count of racially aggravated intentional harassment.

However, following a review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal.

On November 11, 2025, judges increased his sentence to four years and three months, citing the extreme nature of his threats and the prolonged psychological damage caused to the victim and other passengers.

Solicitor General Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP condemned Iftikhar’s conduct, stating, “Salman Iftikhar made horrific threats of rape and violence against an air steward who was simply doing her job. His tirade of hate and abuse caused distress and anguish for the whole flight, and all of our thoughts today should be with the cabin crew and passengers who suffered from Iftikhar’s vile behaviour.”

The case has reignited discussions about in-flight security and the need for stricter penalties for passengers who endanger aircrew safety through abusive or violent behaviour.