Qantas Flight Diverted After Disruptive Passenger Bites Crew

A Qantas flight from Melbourne to Dallas was forced to divert to Papeete, Tahiti, after a passenger became disruptive during the journey and was alleged to have bitten a member of the cabin crew, the airline said. The incident occurred aboard QF21 on Friday during the long-haul flight, and the man was taken off the aircraft and met by local authorities on arrival. Qantas later issued a no-fly ban covering all Qantas Group aircraft.

Accounts of the disruption described the passenger arguing with staff and other travellers, including around the time he was seen exiting a bathroom. Passengers and crew intervened to restrain him as the situation escalated. Video shared online showed exchanges with a flight attendant and a brief scuffle, but it did not show the alleged biting itself.

The aircraft refuelled in Tahiti and then continued to Dallas, arriving several hours behind schedule. There were no reports of serious injuries.

In a statement, a Qantas spokesperson said, “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.” The airline subsequently banned the passenger from flying on...