A routine flight from Cancun to London turned chaotic when two passengers ignored warnings and smoked in the airplane toilets. Despite the pilot’s announcement that continued smoking would force a diversion, the behavior persisted.

The plane was rerouted to Bangor International Airport in Maine, landing around 9:30 p.m. The disruptive passengers were removed, but the rest of the travelers were stuck on the aircraft for another five hours. Eventually, the crew could no longer legally operate the flight due to time restrictions.

Passengers, including 66-year-old Terry Lawrance, were taken to a section of the airport Terry described as “part of a military airbase.” With no accommodations, many had to sleep on coats, airbeds, or cots while waiting for a solution. “It was exhausting,” he said.

A relief crew was flown in from the UK, and after over 15 hours of delays, a replacement flight finally departed at 3:00 p.m. local time the following day. While everyone made it back to London safely, the ordeal left travelers drained by what should’ve been a straightforward trip.