Qantas flight to Dallas diverted after passenger ‘bites’ crew member
Authorities detained traveller after aircraft landed in French Polynesia
DUBAI – Australia’s Qantas was forced to divert a long-haul flight bound for the United States after a disruptive passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant during a mid-air incident.
The aircraft, travelling from Melbourne to Dallas, made an unscheduled stop in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, after the situation escalated onboard. Authorities later detained the passenger upon arrival, while the airline imposed a no-fly ban covering future Qantas and Jetstar services.
Flight QF21 departed Melbourne at approximately 2.30pm on Friday and had already spent around seven hours in the air before the diversion became necessary. Reports from Australian media, including national broadcaster ABC, stated that the passenger allegedly bit a member of the cabin crew during the disturbance.
Qantas said fellow passengers and other crew members assisted during the altercation and helped restrain the man. Once the aircraft landed in Papeete, local authorities met the flight and took the passenger into custody.
The aircraft remained on the ground for roughly 35 minutes for refuelling before resuming its journey. It later continued to Dallas, arriving on Saturday morning.
A Qantas spokesperson said passenger and crew safety remained the airline’s top priority and that the company had “zero tolerance” for threatening or disruptive behaviour onboard flights.
The incident comes amid a series of recent disturbances on Australian flights, including a separate case last month involving a man accused of aggressive behaviour and an alleged attempted bite onboard a domestic route.