Who Is Salman Iftikhar? Pakistani Businessman Jailed Over Rape Threat To Air Hostess

Last Updated:August 07, 2025, 16:41 IST

Salman Iftikhar, a Pakistan-origin businessman in London, was sentenced to 15 months for abusing a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant. He has a criminal record spanning two decades.

The entire incident was captured on camera by a co-passenger. (Image: X/@CourtNewsUK)

Salman Iftikhar is a Pakistan-origin businessman based in London who hit headlines two years ago for his abusive behaviour towards a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant during a first-class flight from London Heathrow to Lahore. He was recently sentenced to 15 months in prison in connection with the incident.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Iftikhar (37) is the founder and director of Staffing Match, a UK-based recruitment company. Media reports describe him as leading a lavish lifestyle, residing in a £2 million home and owning a fleet of luxury vehicles.

The court was told that Iftikhar has a criminal record spanning over two decades, with six previous convictions related to 15 offences, according to a report in NDTV.

These offences include a common assault charge in 2004 and a drink-driving conviction in 2008. Further, in 2021, he was fined £3,000 after being caught driving his Rolls-Royce under the influence of alcohol and cannabis.

NDTV, citing local reports, mentioned Iftikhar reportedly wore a grey suit paired with a pink shirt and yellow tie during his court appearance. He broke down in tears as he was sentenced to 15 months in jail.

What Happened On Flight?

A father of three and husband to two wives, Iftikhar was travelling in the first-class section on February 7, 2023 when he became enraged after being asked to stop taking ice from the onboard bar.

Iftikhar, who had been consuming champagne as he travelled with his wife Erum Salman and their three children, verbally abused and threatened a flight attendent saying she would be dragged out of her hotel room, gang raped and set on fire.

The entire incident was captured on camera by a co-passenger. The video showed Iftikhar accusing the flight attendant of being a racist. In the video, he was heard saying, “You called me a Pa-i in front of everybody."

When cabin crew asked him to return to his seat, Iftikhar replied, “Don’t tell me what to do you racist f—ing b–ch. I know where you are from in Cardiff."

Isleworth Crown Court heard the case as Prosecutor Abdul Kapadia said Iftikhar’s behaviour even forced the cabin crew to discuss diverting the plane to Turkey, the report further mentioned. However, the plane was not diverted and landed in Pakistan.

The 37-year-old was arrested a year later, on March 16, 2024 at his home in Iver in England’s Buckinghamshire.

As per prosecutor Abdul Kapadia, Iftikhar knew the specific hotel, but also the hotel room numbers, and threatened the cabin crew. “He told [the stewardess]: ‘You will be dead on the floor of your hotel’."

“You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang raped and set on fire," Kapadia said, citing Iftikhar.

The victim, who was present in the court during the hearing, said: “I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job… I was working when all flights were grounded on 9/11, and I’ve even flown into a warzone. But this incident has broken me."

London, United Kingdom (UK)

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