Sunday, 17 May 2026

Qantas passenger bites flight attendant - aircraft diverts

On the 15th of May a Qantas Boeing 787 flying from Melbourne (MEL/YMML) to Dallas (DFW/KDFW) was forced to divert to Tahiti (PPT/NTAA) after a passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant mid-flight.

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNB (MSN 39039)

Once the aircraft landed safely in Tahiti, authorities came on board the aircraft and arrested the passenger. The plane was refueled and was able to complete its journey on to Dallas. 

Parts of the incident was caught on camera by comedian Mike Goldstein, who was on the flight to Dallas-Fort Worth and shared a video on Instagram.

His video showed the passenger emerging from one of the bathrooms and arguing with flight attendants about his behaviour. The passenger was stumbling, slurring his words, and repeatedly swore at crew members and other passengers.

"There's kids around everywhere and you're acting immature," one flight attendant told the passenger.

"You have to behave yourself; you're on a plane."

The passenger expressed some confusion at the fact he was on a plane and asked the flight attendant if he has been "smoking weed".

"I was just about to walk out for a cigarette," the passenger said.

Goldstein's video shows the passenger getting more aggressive and abusive when he was told to go to the back of the plane. According to a post on X, it was reported that the passenger bit a crew member, though this allegation has not been confirmed by the airline or by authorities.

"The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority," a Qantas spokesperson said in a statement.

"We have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights."

The passenger has been banned from all Qantas flights, which includes, QantasLink and Jetstar.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: Qantas 
Code: QF/QFA   
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
Registration: VH-ZNB
Serial Number: 39039
Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B
First Flew: 30th November 2017
Age: 8.6 years

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