ON KWAM1 AND OTHERS: When Skies Turn Stormy
- Stephanie Pius Akpan
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
What Recent Airline Incidents INVOLVING FAMOUS FUJI MUSICIAN, KWAM 1, COMFORT EMMANSON, AND OTHERS, TEACH Us About Emotional Intelligence at 30,000 Feet.
It was meant to be an easy, uneventful flight. An Australian broadcaster and her husband settled into their seats, ready to enjoy the journey together. But partway into the flight, a small discomfort began to grow.
The passenger seated directly in front of her husband had reclined their seat all the way back, leaving him cramped and unable to sit comfortably. Politely, they asked the person if they could adjust the seat slightly forward to give him a bit more room.
The response was immediate — and not what they expected. The passenger refused. Worse still, when the couple persisted in a calm request, the man began to verbally attack her husband, raining insults with increasing hostility.
Tension hung in the air. The cabin around them seemed to shrink. It would have been easy — almost natural — to respond in kind. A sharp word here, a raised voice there, and the situation could have spiraled into a public confrontation.
But instead, they chose a different route.
They looked at each other, exchanged a silent agreement, and let it go. Not because they were weak or unwilling to stand their ground, but because they understood the power of restraint. They refused to feed the fire.
By applying emotional intelligence — recognising their own emotions, staying in control, and considering the wider consequences — they defused the situation without drama. They turned potential chaos into calm, modeling a lesson in self-mastery for everyone within earshot.
Sometimes, the most powerful statement you can make isn’t through words spoken in anger, but through the dignity of silence.
On August 6th, Fuji musician, Kwam1 attempted boarding a Valuejet flight from Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and was eventually confronted by the aircraft captain, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi leading to a series of events that went viral. On Sunday August 10th, another incident occurred when one Comfort Emmanson had a physical confrontation with various Ibom Air crew members and Lagos airport ground staff. She was eventually detained at Kirikiri prison and released a few days later by court order. This particular incident made it into People magazine.
Two separate in-flight altercations within 7 days have made headlines in Nigeria — passengers shouting at crew, physical confrontations, fist fights with wigs flying, and even highly indecent exposure that went viral online within hours. For the airlines involved, the turbulence wasn’t just in the air — it was in customer relations, brand reputation, and public trust.
These incidents raise an urgent question: in an industry where safety and service go hand-in-hand, how do we keep emotions from spiraling out of control at 30,000 feet? The answer lies in emotional intelligence, etiquette, executive presence, and customer service training — for both passengers and airline staff.
Why Emotions Run High in the Sky
Air travel compresses strangers into a small, shared space for hours. Add flight delays, seating disputes, cultural differences, and the stress of navigating airports, and emotions can become as unpredictable as the weather.
When either side, passenger or crew, lacks emotional control, one tense moment can escalate into a viral spectacle.
For Airline Crew: EQ is as Critical as Safety Training
Flight attendants aren’t just safety professionals — they are frontline brand ambassadors. In high-pressure situations, emotional intelligence (EQ) can be the difference between a calm resolution and a public relations disaster.
Key skills crew should master:
De-escalation language: Choosing words that calm rather than inflame.
Non-verbal cues: Open body language and steady tone of voice.
Boundary setting: Being firm without being confrontational.
Investing in refresher customer service and conflict resolution training should be as routine as safety drills.
For Passengers: Etiquette Travels With You
Sporting a Chanel handbag, the latest Samsung handset or iPhone, and a wig or blazer that could easily be exchanged for a business class ticket to Dubai; doesn’t mean that the person has social intelligence. They could be seriously deficient in basic people skills such as courtesy, patience, humility, and negotiation.
While airlines must maintain professionalism, passengers also have responsibilities.
Travel etiquette basics include:
Respecting crew instructions.
Ensuring all your travel documents are handy so that you do not keep others waiting in the line.
Controlling your children’s behaviour such that it doesn’t cause a nuisance to other passengers
Dressing appropriately (your image sends a message before you speak).
Being mindful of cultural sensitivities.
Avoiding drug or alcohol-fueled behaviour.
In one of the recent incidents, a passenger’s outfit became part of the story; reminding us that public perception often starts with appearance.
Executive Presence Above the Clouds
Business travellers especially need to remember that your conduct in transit can follow you long after you land. The way you manage frustration, handle disagreements, and maintain composure is part of your personal brand. In an age where every bystander has a smartphone, executive presence is a travel essential.
The Mutual Respect Culture
The best flights happen when passengers and crew approach each other with mutual respect. Airlines can foster this through:
Pre-flight etiquette videos alongside safety instructions.
Social media campaigns on travel courtesy.
Reward programs for “model passengers.”
Passengers can do their part by remembering that kindness travels faster than conflict.
Conclusion
The skies don’t have to be stormy. Whether you’re serving in uniform or seated in 14C; emotional intelligence, etiquette, and image are as essential as your boarding pass. Airlines that train for EQ as seriously as they train for safety will not only protect their crews — they’ll protect their brand. And passengers who travel with respect will always land with dignity.
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