SYDNEY- A passenger has received an indefinite travel ban from Qantas (QF) after a long-haul service from Australia to the United States was forced to divert when the man allegedly bit a flight attendant during the journey.
The QF21 flight departed Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 2:30 pm on Friday, bound for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). About seven hours into the journey, the crew diverted the aircraft to Faa’a International Airport in Papeete (PPT), the capital of French Polynesia, after the passenger’s behaviour escalated and required an unscheduled landing.
Qantas Dallas Flight Diverted to Tahiti After Assault
Qantas confirmed that passengers and other crew members assisted the affected flight attendant during the alleged assault. The carrier stated that the safety of customers and crew remains its highest priority and that it maintains zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening conduct on board.
After the aircraft landed in Papeete, local authorities met the flight. Qantas issued the passenger a no-fly ban that covers all future Qantas and Jetstar (JQ) services.
The aircraft was refuelled and resumed its route to Dallas about 35 minutes later, arriving on Saturday morning.
What the Footage Showed
Video footage uploaded to social media by comedian Mike Goldstein captured a man in a heated exchange with cabin crew.
The crew asked him to move toward the rear of the cabin, and he responded with repeated verbal abuse.
The man appeared to stumble and slur his words while standing in the aisle. He told a flight attendant that he had wanted to step out for a cigarette. The flight attendant replied that he was behaving erratically. The footage did not capture the alleged biting incident.
A Rising Pattern of Disruptive Behaviour on Australian Flights
The case forms part of a series of recent altercations on Australian flights, several of which have led to arrests and charges.
Last month, a Queanbeyan man was charged over alleged disorderly and aggressive behaviour during a flight from Canberra (CBR) to Perth (PER) on 16 April. The 45-year-old is accused of shouting, swearing, and ignoring crew safety instructions.
Authorities allege he kicked at a cabin manager during restraint attempts and tried to bite the arm of another passenger who was assisting. He was charged with three counts, including assault on an aircraft crew member, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
Australian Federal Police acting superintendent Peter Brindal said at the time that aggressive behaviour is especially concerning within the confined space of an aircraft in flight. He stated that being in the air does not exempt anyone from the law or from consequences on the ground.
In January, the AFP alleged that a Canberra woman on a flight to Perth behaved erratically as the aircraft prepared for takeoff and assaulted a cabin crew member. She was charged with one count of assaulting an aircraft crew and one count of offensive and disorderly conduct on an aircraft.
Similar Incidents
A vape device triggered an alarm on a Virgin Australia (VA) flight from Brisbane (BNE) to Melbourne (MEL) in February. The pilots issued a “pan” call after the device activated during descent, and firefighters met the aircraft after it landed.
Last year, a Jordanian national was charged after he allegedly attempted to open the doors of a Sydney-bound aircraft mid-flight. Crew and passengers restrained the man, and he allegedly assaulted an airline staff member during the struggle.
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