This is the shocking moment passengers fought mid-air over a stolen seat.

Footage shows the two furious men throwing punches at each other as the cabin crew tried to calm them down on EVA Air flight BR008 from Taipei, Taiwan, to San Francisco, California, on May 7.

Onlookers in economy were heard screaming as one rampaging passenger screamed at the cabin crew: 'Move! Don't hold me!'

The punch-up allegedly began around three hours into the 13 hours long-haul flight, when one passenger tried to claim a vacant seat because his neighbour was coughing.

However, the original occupant returned from using the bathroom, with the row ensuing shortly after.

The pair later calmed down and were kept apart for the remainder of the flight onboard the Boeing 777.

The plane's captain notified San Francisco airport police about the incident, and the men were reportedly handed over to officers upon landing.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese airline EVA Air told local media that the flight attendants followed procedures to deal with the conflict.

It added that the airline has a zero-tolerance policy regarding nuisance passengers, and commended the flight attendants for their quick and level-headed response to the situation.