The pilot deserves some sort of prize, just think an English cricket player can get a MBE for just winning a test series against Australia and this heroic action by the pilot will get him nothing more than a pat on the back.

In answer to "how did a guy get to the cockbit with 2 pistols?", it normally isn't a wise idea to challenge a desperate gun wielding person, indirect action, used by the pilot, in my opinion, is a better idea.

Frederick Levy, London, England

The moral here...dont fly from Mauritania. The airport security obviously needs upgrading.

Steve, Ashford, Kent

I'm not sure these japes should be allowed to happen. Isn't carrying boiling water prohibited by Health & Safety Regulations? Someone could have got hurt.

Neil Marshall, Cambridge, UK

And the hijacker would have been entitled to compensation for using too much force !What a pathetic country we have become when all our hands are tied by ensuring the law-abiding are unable to turn the tide of lawbreaking because we ourselves will end up being prosecuted .

andrew, leeds,

Hey Carlos, at least the Brits would have been pro-active. The Swiss would have had to hold a referendum prior to any action being taken.

Michael O'H, El Ejido, Spain

"Lucky it didn't happen here. The Captain would be banged up for infringing the would-be hijacker's human rights."

Cherie and co have to pay the mortgage some how, however appalling that it might be. I wonder if we might have addressed the blatantly incorrect Human Rights law in this country by now if it did not pay the PM's bills?

sunita russell, middlesex, uk

Well done!

All that's required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Bryan, Stewartstown, USA/ Pennsylvania

To all those who blame the spanish authorities: please read the article! The plane took off from Mauritania, not Spain. It landed in the spanish canary island.

Anyway, impressing story.

IIIX, Paris, France

Lucky it didn't happen here. The Captain would be banged up for infringing the would-be hijacker's human rights.

Dr.Nicholas Lee, Windsor, UK

Terry, Charlie and Dr Paul: Although that might be the Daily Mail headling tomorrow, that's simply not true - anyone is entitled to use reasonable force in self-defence or to protect injury to people or property. Even lethal force is allowed if your life is threatened. Asylum is only granted to people who face torture or death if sent back to their country of origin - do you think it's ok to send people back to that?

John, London,

Brilliant!

While I share the concern how the hell did he gain entrance with two pistols, what a delightful I WIN! YOU SCUM LOSE! story.

Joe, UK,

fast thinking saved a lot of people.Now we need to find out just how he did get on with two(2)guns ..............amazing

Stephen , north fort myers , florida(USA)

Don't blame the Spaniards; a couple of years ago the Italian security guards somehow let two blokes through their check points who were carrying a petrol generator filled with gasoline! They were only discovered when the plane's crew smelled leaking fuel.

Mikko Takala, Drumnadochit, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Why and how in heaven's name was he allowed to get on board with TWO automatic pistols? Surely there should be questions asked by the Spanish authorities ...........
Brilliant piece of thinking by the pilot and those passengers who tackled him showed remarkable bravery. Please let us know what happens to the hijacker. Perhaps he'll end up in good old England!!!!

Dermot W, Birmingham,

Well done! Thanks God it ended so that all are alive.

Yaroslav K, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

I disagree with the first three comments. Going on past form the British anti-terrorist squad would have overpowered and shot an innocent passenger.

Carlos, Geneva, Switzerland

If it was in the UK, the hijacker would get compensation on the grounds that his human rights to hijack a plane were breached!! And also given political asylum and a British passport and all state benefits as rewards.

Dr.Rani Paul, wrexham, UK

If that had been in England, the hijacker would have sued the passengers for throwing hot water on him. And some dopey jury and judge would have found in his favour.

Charlie, Rome, Italy

Lucky for the flight attendant that the plane didn't land in the UK - our glorious police would have arrested him/her and the passengers for assault.

Terry, Midlands, England

I salute the sharp captain and brave passengers!

They set a great example of how everyday people can stop crazies.

We should all refuse to be afraid.

Vegas Vic, Las Vegas, USA

If it were America, there would be lawsuits from the injured passagers on the airline.

Bravo.

David Wolf, Sofia, Bulgaria

Bravo to the brave and brilliant pilot and passengers. That's call clear thinking 'on your feet'! I know I will fight to the finish with any sick, creepy hijacker should I ever encounter one in the air. -From an experienced New York City person.

Greg B, Bronx, NY

Well done to all involved. Thats the spirit, let common sense and quick thinking prevail. Again, congratulations to those involved and may the so called hijacker spend a lifetime in jail.

Peter, Bombast, Vulgaria

At last, someone proves that parler francais can be useful!

Tim C, Isle of Wight, England

We need to forget our dumb notion of "punishment fitting the crime", and instead we should adopt Islamic law FOR THOSE CREEPS.
Cut off whatever spurs them on to their miserable deeds.

Alsenor, VALLEJO, CA

Let all airline passengers resolveat their first opportunity to attack all hijackers.

Ben Phillips, SAINT LOUIS, MO USA

maybe the airport security at the plane's African origin was, um, not that great

James, Cornwall, UK

Most people I know would probably be very scared if they were part of the passengers. If someone hijacked (with two guns) my 'Air Mauritania' flight, I don't think I'd be understanding nor condescending

Nothing against Air Mauritania, besides it's probably not the best way to get the point across

Diego, Santiago, Chile

"I think the pilot is a hero,These terrorist have no feeling for any of us , I 'm glad he the hijacker got what he deserved. all of us need to wake up to the intent of the idiots."

Gee, harold, you mean terrorists *aren't* our friends? Way to go out on a limb, numbnuts. What's next: "babys are cute, and it's time we woke up to this fact"?

Also, he wasn't a terrorist - he was a hijacker. He wasn't affiliated with any terrorist organization.

That said, the pilot was pretty cool - the boiling water on the groin was a nice bonus.

Pete Rob, Grand Rapids, MI

I was just thinking the same. How do you let someone on with two guns. I guess security is sleeping on the job.

Kinu, Waterloo, Ontario

They need to fire the metal detector!!!

Ron, north chuck, USA

Good point. You can be sure THAT airline will be beefing up security.

Ben, Omaha, NE, USA

Thats the same question I have! The security is not doing their job. If they did how can a person board a flight with 2 pistols? Wake up folks!!!!

Good job captain and the passengers!

vidya, New york, USA

Thank God, this didn't happen in the UK, othwerwise the passengers concerned with overpowering the hi-jacker would find themselves facing charges of assault and interfering with the hi-jackers human rights.
I say good on them !!

Neville Carre, Nottingham, UK

Good thing that it didn't happen in Rusia... Putin would have it shot down... Kudo to the crews and brave passengers!

Wayne, Montreal,

Re: "Its a good thing that this didn't happen on a US airlines in US airspace. The hijacker would probably sue the airlines, the pilot and everyone involved for throwing hot water on him. The hijacker would probably receive a 10 million dollar settlement from a left wing judge who would say the man's rights had been violated."

Are you insane? Those who took down flight 93 are remembered as heroes in America, and no one was sued. You're being a little ridiculous.

Natalie, Oakland, CA

yes .... no one is asking this question .... please atleas the reporters should as ... how the hell pistols came in the airplane.

raj, LA, USA

a pot of boiling water to the groin and chest! ouch! let that be a warning to any potential hijackers!

zi, new york city, USA

Nice to see people taking control of the situation and not letting the stiuation control them.
Make a plan, communicate and make it happen.
Great job.
Pilot and crew deserve a medal.

David S, Holywood, Md.

Neil Allison, Durham, NC/USA,

HAHAHA OMG ACTIVIST JUDGES!! I hope you're a skillful troll and not a complete conservatard conspiracy wing-nut.

You mean the kind of left wing activist judge that wants to put the ten commandments inside the courtroom?
Channel 37 is FAUX NEWS here. I suggest you keep watching citizen or the turrists are going to win!

/that is all

Chevy, San Diego/CA, USA

Did anyone read anywhere in the article that he was actually planning on killing anyone? As far as I read he was just seeking asylum. The pot of boiling water, the plot to brake suddenly, etc. it's all very drastic, cunning and gutsy, but isn't it taking unnecessary risks? Even worse, my fellow Americans are ignoring the obvious question of how he got the guns on the plane and saluting the machismo-laden bravado of the pilot and passengers. Fearmongering + Action movies = bad combo.

Brendan, Brooklyn, United States

The people who took care of this guy kick ass. I love how people aren't bending over for scum like this any more. Everyday citizens are fighting back every chance they get.

Another example of how we think different is the recent shooting here in SLC, UT. No more SWAT teams waiting around outside; they get in, locate and shoot to kill. They were on site in 3 minutes from the time of the call. They had 'contained' the threat by unloading their AR's into the freak shooter within 6 minutes of the 911 call.

Good call by the pilot on this thing.

Mike, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

BRAVO....

Russell Gibson, Brick, USA New Jersey

Only in Mauritania...

Shaun Lazzari, Nottingham,

If it had happened in Europe the hi-jacker would now be claiming compensation and all manner of human rights

Pountney , Ivybridge , Devon

I nominate the hijacker for a Darwin Award, depending on how much damage the boiling water did.

aMY, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

I think the pilot is a hero,These terrorist have no feeling for any of us , I 'm glad he the hijacker got what he deserved. all of us need to wake up to the intent of the idiots.

harold cecil, thomasville , n.c.

i hope that he is executed ?? there is no way that he can clam asylum when he was hijacking a plane it just the same as pirates and all governments must deter it from happening again ??? this is a follow on from when the UK government that let the hijackers off and let them stay in the UK giving them food / housing .ect .ect if they make it so that they lose they will not do it ????

david greenhalgh, manchester, england

this was great
love to hear they did a great job..

nick, scranton, pa

I feel that that the pilot and crew showed great calm under pressure. The impromptu plan that foiled the hijacker's attempt to overtake the plane was not only smart but it was also effective and quite efficient. Only minor injuries were suffered by those involved, including the hijacker. No unreasonable force was used, but the plane and all of its passengers were left relatively unscathed. This story brings up a couple concerns. Obviously, the fact that pistols could still be allowed onto planes is quite scary. The plane was leaving from Mauritania, a nation that has had its fair share of problems with terrorists and extremists. Security should definitely have been tighter. Also, it is somewhat upsetting to see that the nation of Morocco was unwilling to assist the hijacked plane and allow it to land in Djala. In this day of fear and terrorism it is simply unacceptable for events like this to occur any longer.

Chris Fisher, Union, New Jersey

Excellent Job and all Kudos to Pilot, Passengers and Crew

Harv, Petersfield,

That pilot dude was tight! He was a clever dude and he totally outsmarted that hijacker guy who, by the way, was extremely stupid. He LET the pilot talk to everyone in the plane in a language he didnt understand. Dur da durr!!

D A DouBlE, little rock, Arkansas

Where did the plane leave from? Make sure you avoid that airport at all costs, its obviously totally insecure.

Geoff, Cheltenham, UK

It's too bad the Americans weren't multi-lingual in 2001.

Johnny, anytown, usa

Killer Moves!!!

James L. Schroeder, Jerseyville, USA, IL.

Fortunate that the plane was not forced to land in Britain since, in that eventuality, the pilot and 6 pot boilers would have been arrested and thrown into jail on a charge of grievous bodily harm while the hijacker would have been feted as an unfortunate victim and granted immediate asylum.

Hrothgar, Schaumburg, Illinois

Wow, wow and MORE WOW! That's a fantastic story! I'm glad it ended in that way.. In fact it sounds like it could have been in a movie, LOL

jz, Wilm, De,

Very good thinking for the crew and passengers. The sad thing is they didn't throw the hijacker out of the plane while it was still in flight.

C. Bowen, Jackson, Mississippi

I don't need to point fingers as to how the man got onto the plain with two handguns, but i do know that when i fly i sit as far forward on the plane as i can, the rear facing seats if possible. If someone or group of individuals were to try and storm the cockpit i would certainly and immediately put my 6'3'', 225 pound body to use as a formidible deterent. i may be hurt or killed, but i'm taking one or more of them with me!

andy filkins, long beacch , california

Its a good thing that this didn't happen on a US airlines in US airspace. The hijacker would probably sue the airlines, the pilot and everyone involved for throwing hot water on him. The hijacker would probably receive a 10 million dollar settlement from a left wing judge who would say the man's rights had been violated.

Neil Allison, Durham, NC/USA

How is it that he was able to get not one but two guns aboard? It is good to see we are not sheep anymore though.

Phil, cold lake, canada

Out of all the stories on this, why has no one asked how someone got two guns on a flight? That was my first question.

Candice, Atlanta, GA

Once a pilot always a pilot!!!! GOOD thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Marv, Trout lake, USA

I am thinking that terrorists have worked themselves out of a job. They have made people so angry and on edge that they will tolerate nothing and will take matters into their own hands to protect themselves against these monsters. Good for the pilot and passengers for being so quick thinking and brave. This is one more message to those who would needlessly cause harm that this will not happen again.

Becky, Lincoln, USA

Can anyone please tell me how on earth someone boarded a plane with TWO guns?! I do not understand how this is possible!

Nikki, Limassol, Cyprus

And this, my friends, is a warning to anyone out there who is stupid enough to try this kind of stunt now . Passengers won't tolerate these types of acts anymore. I would rather be injured and live, then just sit there and die, not doing anything, and so would anyone else I know. That includes women, children, anyone who comprehends the situation. So bad guys, you have been warned. Great job and kudos to the pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident.

Deb, Colorado Springs, CO

Geezuz, what is left to say?!
I'm happy for the safety of all the passengers and crew of this flight.

Violette Aube, Saltash, England

How the hell did he get two automatic pistols on a plane !!!

russell, Basel, Switzerland