Horrified passengers scream as Russian tourists brawl on a packed flight to Istanbul

This is the moment several Russian tourists brawl in a packed plane aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul.

The incident took place on a flight from Istanbul to the south-western Russian city of Yekaterinburg and reports said that three Russian tourists were escorted off the plane after the fracas.

An eyewitness told local media that a female passenger hit one of the men for unknown reasons and he consequently hit her back.

Following the alleged altercation, another male passenger intervened and the brawl escalated.

Meanwhile, other passengers on the busy flight tried to separate them while also urging cabin crew not to delay the flight. 

As a result, the three suspects involved were escorted off the flight.

The video begins with a burly man in a black t-shirt grappling with another man in a light blue t-shirt.

He shoves the blue-shirted man into his seat before putting him in an head lock on the Turkish Airways flight

He shoves the blue-shirted man into his seat before putting him in an head lock.

As a toddler’s cries grow increasingly loud, several passengers attempt to break up the quarrel by holding both men back.

One man in a green t-shirt tries to no avail to get the burly man’s attention by repeatedly slapping him on the shoulder.

A heated exchange then ensues between the two as other passengers struggle to break up the fracas

The peacemaker’s efforts are ignored by both men and instead a heated exchange ensues.

Eventually a man wearing a cap and red t-shirt steps in between the two and the confrontation appears to simmer down. 

It is unclear what punishment the brawlers may face after being taken off the plane, but the airline confirmed that their tickets will not be refunded.

Following the unsavoury incident, the plane arrived at Koltsovo Airport near Yekaterinburg on time, according to local media.