A former flight attendant told cabin crew he wanted to end his life before trying to open the rear door of the aircraft while it was thousands of feet in the air.
HIV-positive Joseph Hemmingway, 28, was on a Jet2 flight from Madeira to Newcastle and had been drinking heavily when he started behaving erratically, leaving passengers 'scared for their lives'.
He told airline staff he used to work for British Airways and they were petrified he would succeed in opening the aeroplane's door because of his aviation knowledge.
When he was seen attempting to unlock the door, he was pounced upon by two off-duty police officers, one of whom he tried to bite.
The three then remained on the floor of the aircraft as it descended and landed safely.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Hemmingway had started chatting to experienced cabin crew, who 'had never been as scared and shocked', about his former work half way through the flight on August 4.
Around ten minutes later he approached the rear of the plane and told two female members of the crew that he wanted to move seats as his neighbours were watching a TV show which showed people taking crystal meth.
He said this was offending him as his boyfriend had died as a result of taking the drug.
Hemmingway then showed the women a letter from his backpack which was addressed to his boyfriend Lee and it said he wanted to 'join him'.
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