Love quizzed over 'air rage flare-up'
Rock star and actress Courtney Love was tonight being questioned over an “air rage” incident on a transatlantic flight.
The star was arrested at Heathrow airport on suspicion of disruptive behaviour and endangering an aircraft which carries a possible two year prison sentence.
Love, widow of Nirvana star Kurt Cobain, was accused of hurling abuse at cabin crew during the Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles.
The crew were said to have tried to calm her down but she refused to sit in her seat and put her seatbelt on.
Flight staff felt she was being so abusive and disruptive that the captain decided to call the airport as Flight VS08 was on its approach to Heathrow.
Staff on the ground alerted police who were waiting on the tarmac.
Police went on board and spoke to Love for 20 minutes before the Hole singer emerged from Virgin Upper Class cabin.
Wearing bright red lipstick and sunglasses and smiling and waving to other passengers she was shepherded into the back of a police van with an officer taking each of her arms.
Love was then taken to Heathrow police station where officers were quizzing her over her behaviour.
Police were investigating reports that she launched the tirade of abuse after her nurse was stopped from moving into Upper Class from economy.
Sources said the pilot took action not after just one incident but on the basis of the star’s behaviour throughout the long haul flight.
One source said: “She behaved really badly and was extremely abusive.”
Police were first alerted by Virgin Atlantic at 10.52am and the flight landed at 11.05am.
A police source said: “A 38-year-old woman was being generally disruptive on the flight, using abusive language and refusing to sit down and put her belt on.”
No one was injured during the incident.
A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said: “She was verbally abusive towards our cabin crew and disruptive.
“Disruptive passengers are rare but like other British airlines, we take their behaviour very seriously.”
Love was thought to have been travelling to London to attend a star-studded concert at the Old Vic Theatre tomorrow night.
The fundraising extravaganza is being hosted by Sir Elton John and Hollywood star Kevin Spacey.
The volatile star has long had a reputation for unpredictable behaviour and is this week pictured naked on the cover of Q Magazine.
She was photographed running down a central London street during the photoshoot, which took place in December.
Love, 38, also had a “Brazilian” bikini wax in a room full of people during the shoot and poured a bottle of champagne over her head.
The star found fame with raucous guitar band Hole in the early 90s, scoring UK chart successes with Doll Parts and Celebrity Skin.
She went on to establish an acting career, picking up a Golden Globe nomination for her role in The People Vs Larry Flynt.
