A passenger has been banned from all future Qantas travel after a long-haul flight from Australia to the United States was forced to divert at the weekend due to an alleged assault on a crew member. The man is accused of biting a flight attendant on board the aircraft.
Incident Details
The QF21 flight departed Melbourne at 2:30 pm on Friday, bound for Dallas Fort Worth. Approximately seven hours into the journey, the aircraft was diverted to Papeete in Tahiti after the passenger’s disruptive behaviour escalated. A Qantas spokesperson confirmed that both passengers and crew members intervened to assist the flight attendant during the alleged biting incident.
Upon landing in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, local authorities met the plane. Qantas issued the passenger a no-fly ban, covering all future Qantas and Jetstar services. After refuelling, the flight resumed its journey to Dallas around 35 minutes later, arriving on Saturday morning.
Company Statement
The Qantas spokesperson emphasised the airline’s commitment to safety: “The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority and we have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights.”
Social Media Footage
Video uploaded to social media by comedian Mike Goldstein showed a man engaged in a heated exchange with cabin crew. He was heard repeatedly telling them to “fuck off” when asked to move to the rear of the plane. Standing in the aisle, he appeared unsteady and slurred his words, telling a flight attendant he wanted to “walk out for a ciggie”. The attendant responded that he was carrying on “like a two-bob watch”. The footage did not capture the alleged biting.
Recent Spate of Airline Incidents
This case is part of a series of altercations on Australian flights, some leading to arrests. Last month, a 45-year-old man from Queanbeyan was charged over alleged disorderly behaviour on a Canberra to Perth flight. He is accused of shouting, swearing, ignoring safety instructions, and trying to bite another passenger’s arm during restraint. Australian Federal Police said he kicked a cabin manager and attempted to bite a passenger assisting with restraint. He faces charges including assault on an aircraft crew member, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal stated: “Being in the air does not give anyone a free pass from the law and consequences on the ground. The AFP will put people before the courts if they are accused of breaking the law.”
In January, a Canberra woman on a Perth flight allegedly behaved erratically before take-off and assaulted a cabin crew member. She was charged with assaulting crew and offensive behaviour. In February, a vape device caused alarm on a Brisbane to Melbourne Virgin Australia flight, prompting a “pan” call after smoke was seen. Last year, a Jordanian national was charged after allegedly trying to open aircraft doors mid-flight on a Sydney-bound plane; crew and passengers restrained him.
Guardian Australia understands the passenger involved in the latest incident is not from Australia.
