Melissa Mendez's Plane Scandal Makes It to UK's Mail Online

Image courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk

Filipino actress escorted from flight after 'punching flight attendant 

and passenger' over seat reservation, forcing plane to return to airport

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Melissa Mendez had boarded a Cebu Pacific Air flight bound for Mindanao

But an argument over seats saw her argue with fellow passengers

One eyewitness posts video of scene, and describes Mendez as smelling 'like a beer brewery'

Flight forced to turn back to Manila and Mendez escorted off the plane 

A 50-year-old actress was removed from a plane after allegedly punching a flight attendant and passenger.

Melissa Mendez, from the Philippines, had boarded a Cebu Pacific Air flight bound for Mindanao when she refused to move from a seat reserved for another passenger.

The plane was forced to return to Manila, where it had set out from, and Ms Mendez was escorted off the aircraft and met by 20 security personnel. 

Actor and Philippine rugby player Andrew Wolff took to Instagram to record and report on the scene that then unfolded.

Wolff states that the actress, who he described as 'past her prime' eventually decided to move out of the seat, but verbally abused his friend, presumably whose seat she had taken.

Despite being warned by cabin crew, Mendez continued to swear, before she 'punched' Wolff's friend and also a flight attendant, according to the report.

Wolff, who described Mendez as smelling 'like a beer brewery,' then wrote that the captain announced over the tannoy: 'Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize, but we have to go back to Manila due to one unruly passenger.'

'I regularly travel on planes for work, but this has got to be probably one of the most ridiculous things that I have experienced,' Wolff's post read. 

Another passenger on board the flight took to Facebook to detail what he saw take place.

Rey N. Pamaran wrote that Mrs Mendez 'immediately flared up and caused a scene' when she was asked to move seats.

Mr Pamaran goes on to say Mrs Mendez was 'reeking of alcohol' and after he told her to 'get some mouthwash,' she went on to 'punched me in the face.'

He goes on to state that in his opinion Mrs Mendez could be 'fined no less than 500,000 pesos (£7,500) and could be imprisoned for up to three years.'

Mrs Mendez starred in her first movie in 1970, and has gone on to have a glittering film career in the Philippines, starring in more than 50 films. 

MailOnline Travel has made efforts to contact Mrs Mendez and is awaiting a response.