Qantas
Midair horror: Passenger bites crew member, forces Qantas flight diversion
A passenger aboard a Qantas flight has been banned from future travel with the airline after allegedly biting a flight attendant midair, forcing the aircraft to divert during its journey from Australia to the United States.
Qantas confirmed that flight QF21, travelling from Melbourne to Dallas, was diverted on Friday after a disruptive passenger caused a mid-flight disturbance, according to reports by ABC News Australia.
The passenger allegedly bit a crew member during the incident, with fellow travellers stepping in to help cabin staff restrain him.
A Qantas spokesperson told ABC News: “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.”
After making an unscheduled stop for refuelling, the flight later resumed its journey with the remaining passengers on board and arrived in Dallas on Saturday.
The incident is the latest in a string of recent cases involving disruptive behaviour on Australian flights.
Earlier this month, a man from Western Australia was charged with offensive and disorderly behaviour, as well as offences under Civil Aviation Regulations, after allegedly disrupting a flight from Auckland on March 26, 2026.
According to a statement by the Australian Federal Police, the 58-year-old allegedly became disruptive after being refused alcohol service. Authorities said he touched other passengers and repeatedly ignored instructions from cabin crew.
In a separate case last month, another Australian man was charged over alleged aggressive and disorderly conduct on a flight from Canberra to Perth on April 16, 2026.
The 45-year-old allegedly shouted, swore, and ignored airline safety instructions before repeatedly kicking and pushing the seat in front of him, which was occupied by a female passenger. Police said he became aggressive after she asked him to stop.
Cabin crew notified the flight captain, who authorised the passenger to be restrained.
During the restraint process, the man allegedly kicked at the cabin manager and attempted to bite another passenger who was assisting crew members.
Officers from the Australian Federal Police boarded the aircraft upon arrival in Perth and removed the man from the flight.
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