Millionaire businessman Salman Iftikhar threatened a Virgin Atlantic stewardess with gang rape, murder, and arson on a flight from London to Lahore.

What began as a routine flight from London to Lahore turned into a nightmare when millionaire businessman Salman Iftikhar unleashed a vile tirade against a veteran Virgin Atlantic stewardess — leaving passengers terrified and sparking national outrage.

A Flight Attendant’s Worst Nightmare

The incident occurred in February 2023, when a drunken Iftikhar, traveling in first class, threatened stewardess Angie Walsh with gang rape, murder, and arson. Witnesses say he hurled racist slurs and even recited specific hotel details to make his threats more chilling. Walsh, a 37-year flight veteran who had flown through war zones, later said nothing in her long career had ever left her so shaken.

A History of Violence

Court records revealed this was not an isolated incident. Iftikhar already had six prior convictions, cementing his reputation as a repeat offender. Despite that history — and the sheer severity of his mid-air threats — he was handed a 15-month prison sentence, a punishment critics slammed as “woefully lenient.” The Shadow Home Secretary has since referred the case to the Attorney General to review whether the sentence should be increased.

Lavish Wealth and a Double Life

Behind the headlines, Iftikhar’s private life paints a picture of extravagance and contradiction. Once boasting a Buckinghamshire mansion and a fleet of luxury cars, he was also drowning in millions of pounds of debt from a collapsed aviation recruitment business.

Even more sensational was his personal life: married in the UK to Erum Salman, the mother of his three children, while also tied to Abeer Rizvi, a glamorous Pakistani model and actress. Rizvi publicly defended her husband after his conviction, calling for “empathy,” a stance that drew fierce criticism online.

The Victim’s Trauma

For Walsh, the ordeal has been life-changing. The veteran flight attendant was signed off work for more than 14 months, describing how the incident shattered her confidence and left her unable to return to the skies. “It broke me,” she said, recounting the emotional scars from Iftikhar’s outburst.

Outrage Over “Two-Tier Justice”

The lenient sentence has fueled debate over whether the wealthy receive softer treatment in the justice system. Many argue that Iftikhar’s money, influence, and connections shielded him from the harsher penalties others might face for similar crimes.

Final Thoughts

This case highlights a disturbing truth: even in first-class cabins, privilege and power cannot disguise violent behavior. While Salman Iftikhar may be behind bars for now, his story serves as a chilling reminder of how easily wealth and status can coexist with cruelty, and how victims often carry the heaviest burden long after the spotlight fades.