A group of tourists "petrified" passengers on a holiday jet carrying more than 300 people to Jamaica by swearing, shouting and trying to attack a man, a British court has heard.
Mr Francis Coyle (40), and Mr Myles Connors (36), are both charged with affray, endangering an aircraft and being drunk on an aircraft. Ms Elizabeth O'Driscoll (34), Ms Angela O'Driscoll (39), and Ms Josephine Cooper (19), are charged with being drunk on an aircraft.
The five, from a caravan park in Lewisham, south-east London, deny the charges. They are standing trial at Hove Crown Court.
Mr Michael Warren, prosecuting, told the court that a group of 12 passengers, including the five on trial, were the last to board the Airtours flight on a Boeing 767 plane from Gatwick Airport to Montego Bay on January 31st last year.
He said the group were "boisterous" from the moment they boarded the 9 1/2-hour flight, and immediately started ordering drinks. Passengers claimed the women in the group were the loudest, singing songs including Summer Holiday.
The five became more and more drunk, prompting passengers to scream at the group to sit down. The group carried on ordering drinks until cabin staff refused to serve any more, added Mr Warren.
During the flight, after the five had been told to sit down and be quiet by cabin crew, Mr Connors and Mr Coyle had an altercation with a Jamaican passenger.
The man finally lost his temper, throwing beer over Mr Connors saying "I am not your slave". Mr Connors' then tried to punch him, the court was told.
Air stewardesses tried to restrain Mr Connors, who they claimed was leaning over seats to try and hit the Jamaican. Mr Warren said: "One air stewardess stood between Connors and the Jamaican, effectively keeping them apart. Connors was trying to attack the man, saying `I am going to get you. When we land you are mine.' "
Two hours before the plane was due to land in Montego Bay, the crew contacted the captain. Mr Warren said: "The situation became out of hand. The crew felt the aircraft was endangered and told the captain they felt a full-scale fight was possible."
The captain decided to divert the flight, landing at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia.
The FBI boarded and escorted the group of 12 from the aircraft. They fell silent when the captain announced he was making the 30-minute diversion. The group flew back to Gatwick three days later.
The trial continues.