New Zealand traveller who reportedly bit cabin crew member arrested in Tahiti, banned from all Qantas, Jetstar flights
Qantas has banned a New Zealand passenger from travelling with its airline after they caused disruption and had the flight diverted.
A New Zealand traveller has been banned from all Qantas flights after causing disruption and allegedly biting a crew member mid-flight.
The incident unfolded on a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Dallas on Friday.
The flight was diverted to Tahiti and the man was arrested on arrival in Papeete, Newswire reported.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the situation.
“Consular officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are aware of the detention of a New Zealander in Tahiti on 16 May. For privacy reasons no further information will be provided.”
A Qantas spokesperson told 1News the passenger was issued with a no-fly ban, which includes all Jetstar flights.
“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.”
Footage uploaded to social media by comedian Mike Goldstein shows a man stumbling out of the toilet still doing his belt up.
When asked by a flight attendant if he had smoked weed, the passenger carried on swearing at staff and passengers.
“We need you to behave yourself,” the Qantas worker said.
“Bro, I was just about to walk out for a cigarette,” the passenger replied.
“Put that wrist lock off [sic] me again, there’s problems.”
According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Air Nav Radar, the passenger allegedly bit a crew member, though this has not been confirmed by the airline or by authorities.
The plane diverted to Tahiti’s capital Papeete, where Tahitian police entered the plane and arrested the man before the flight resumed to Dallas.
“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,” Qantas said in a statement to News Wire.
The passenger has been slapped with a total ban from Qantas.