Airline industry in freefall after another violent incident

A case of air-rage at a Tokyo airport delayed a flight by 90 minutes as a violent brawl erupted between two passengers - and one tried to choke a flight attendant.

It comes as the US airline industry was summoned to Congress for a 'please explain' over a string of onboard incidents.

It's just before take-off on the tarmac in Tokyo, but already fists are flying.

A witness on the All Nippon Airways flight says the man in red lashed out unprovoked after taking his seat for the flight to LA.

Video shows a stewardess for the airline trying to intervene - but the man in red storms away up the aisle.

The 44-year-old was allegedly drunk, and what set him off still isn't clear.

But it's the latest in a string of in-flight incidents in a turbulent time for the industry.

"The problem with the flying experience is we all know across the board it's a terrible experience," says US Congressman Michael Capuano.

In Washington, five US airline bosses were hauled before Congress and asked to explain an apparent nosedive in service.

United Airlines became the poster child - after Doctor David Dao was dragged unconscious and bloodied from an overbooked flight.

Its CEO is still trying to make amends.

"No customer and no individual should ever be treated the way Dr Dao was - ever," says United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz.

Airline profits are soaring in America. Last year the industry made US$19 billion.

But customers say that's come at a cost, and overbooked flights and shrinking seats now have Congress threatening to act.

"You know you're having a bad day when the group that's gonna lecture you on customer satisfaction is the United States Congress," says Congressman Bob Woodhall.

United and other major US airlines have pledged to stop forcibly removing passengers.

But for those who throw punches, it's a different story.

The instigator of the ANA brawl was kicked off the flight, and then arrested for allegedly choking a man in the terminal.

Newshub.