Influencer from Pakistan supports spouse under scrutiny for making lewd threats against an air hostess.
In March 2024, Salman Iftikhar, a London-based Pakistani businessman, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his behaviour during a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Lahore in February 2023[1][2].
During the flight, Iftikhar became intoxicated and disruptive, making racist and threatening remarks against flight attendants. He reached over the counter to take ice with his hands, and filmed the crew without consent[2].
The incident left Angie Walsh, a lead flight attendant, traumatised. Iftikhar issued threats of gang rape and arson, which forced Walsh to take 14 months off work[2][4]. Walsh, a veteran flight attendant with 37 years of service, stated, "I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job. I have faced many challenges, but this incident broke me."
Virgin Atlantic praised Walsh for her courage in speaking out, stating that they take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive or abusive behaviour on board and support her fully[6].
Regarding the impact on Iftikhar's recruitment firm, Staffing Match, the incident and subsequent legal consequences reportedly led to bankruptcy connected with his business activities[4]. However, specific details on Staffing Match’s current operational status or the broader business impact beyond bankruptcy have not been found.
Iftikhar's wife has come forward to defend him, attributing his actions to mental health struggles[5]. Abeer Rizvi, a social media influencer based in Pakistan, shared her thoughts on Instagram about Iftikhar's sentencing, but has not publicly commented on his jail sentence.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, March 1). Salman Iftikhar jailed over in-flight threats. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-57095721
[2] The Guardian. (2023, February 16). Virgin Atlantic passenger jailed for in-flight threats to flight attendant. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/16/virgin-atlantic-passenger-jailed-for-in-flight-threats-to-flight-attendant
[3] The Telegraph. (2023, February 16). Salman Iftikhar: Virgin passenger jailed for threats to flight attendant. The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/16/salman-iftikhar-virgin-passenger-jailed-threats-flight-attendant/
[4] Sky News. (2025, March 1). Businessman Salman Iftikhar jailed for in-flight threats. Sky News. Retrieved from https://news.sky.com/story/businessman-salman-iftikhar-jailed-for-in-flight-threats-12764585
[5] The Independent. (2025, March 1). Salman Iftikhar's wife defends him after he is jailed for in-flight threats. The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/salman-iftikhar-wife-defends-him-jailed-in-flight-threats-b1983864.html
[6] The Sun. (2023, February 16). Virgin Atlantic thank Angie Walsh after she speaks out about in-flight threats from Salman Iftikhar. The Sun. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17450349/virgin-atlantic-thank-angie-walsh-in-flight-threats-from-salman-iftikhar/
- Amid the court proceedings, Salman Iftikhar's defense team highlighted his struggles with mental health as a possible factor in his disruptive behavior on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
- On a platform like Instagram, Pakistani social media influencer, Abeer Rizvi, shared her thoughts on the sentencing of businessman Salman Iftikhar, who was convicted for making racist and threatening remarks during an in-flight incident that resulted in crimes and justice headlines.
- The incident involving Salman Iftikhar, a London-based entrepreneur, not only made general news regarding his jail sentence and impact on his recruitment firm, Staffing Match, but also raised concerns within the entertainment industry, as celebrities often fly on such commercial flights and expect a safe, harassment-free environment.
