Millionaire Who Threatened To Gang Rape Cabin Crew Has Jail Term Trebled
A Virgin Atlantic passenger who threatened to rape and set fire to an air stewardess during a flight from London to Pakistan has had his sentence extended by three years, after originally being sentenced to 15 months.
Salman Iftikhar, 38, from Iver, Buckinghamshire, lost the plot after he was asked to return to his seat by a cabin crew member, racially abusing the air hostess before saying he would rape and kill her in her hotel room:
NEW: Millionaire who threatened to gang r<>pe and k*ll first-class cabin crew on a London flight has his jail term tripled to four years after public outcry
Salman Iftikhar, 38, had his sentence increased to four years and three months after an appeal under the Unduly Lenient… pic.twitter.com/g1pkcxvLqI
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) November 11, 2025
His ranting and raving continued throughout the 8-hour flight, and included calling a member of the crew a “f***ing white Welsh c***”, and threatening to kill the rest of the cabin crew by blowing up their hotel.
His initial sentence drew backlash and claims of “two-tier justice” after Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months over a racist Tweet, and so the case was referred to the Court of Appeal and they decided to extend his sentence from 15 months to 4 years and three months. I don’t see anyone complaining, do you?
The solicitor general Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP said: ‘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.
‘Law Officers referred Iftikhar’s sentence to the Court of Appeal after several requests to review the case from members of the public.
‘I hope this brings comfort and a sense of justice to those impacted, and underlines that our criminal justice system works for victims and vulnerable people.’
Amazingly, Iftikhar had been travelling with his family in first class at the time of the incident. Can you imagine how he treats his wife at home? Well, someone else will be treating her for a while now I reckon.
To watch a plus-size passenger confront a slightly larger plus-size passenger for taking up the arm rest during their flight, click HERE. Incredible.
