A Qantas flight from Melbourne to Dallas was diverted to Papeete, Tahiti, on Friday, May 17, 2026, after a male passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant.
Summary of the Incident
The flight, designated QF21, departed Melbourne on Friday afternoon. Approximately seven hours into the journey, a passenger became disruptive. According to multiple reports, the passenger emerged from a bathroom, displayed erratic behavior, and began arguing with crew members and other passengers.
The situation escalated when the passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant. Fellow passengers assisted crew members in restraining the individual. No serious injuries have been reported.
Diversion and Arrival in Tahiti
The aircraft was diverted to Tahiti. Local authorities in Papeete met the flight upon its arrival and removed the passenger. Following refueling, the aircraft continued its journey to Dallas-Fort Worth, arriving on Saturday morning, several hours behind schedule.
Consequences and Company Response
Qantas issued a no-fly ban to the passenger, prohibiting them from all Qantas Group flights, including Jetstar.
A Qantas spokesperson stated: "The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority. We have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights."
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tahitian police have been contacted for comment. The man involved is understood not to be an Australian citizen.
Video Recording
Comedian Mike Goldstein, a passenger on the flight, recorded a portion of the incident and posted it to Instagram. The video shows the passenger stumbling, slurring words, and using profanity while arguing with crew members. The footage does not show the alleged biting.
Context of Other Incidents
The incident follows a series of altercations on Australian flights. In April, a 45-year-old man was charged with assault on an aircraft crew member after a flight from Canberra to Perth. In January, a woman was charged with assaulting a crew member on a flight to Perth. Last year, a Jordanian national was charged after allegedly trying to open doors on a Sydney-bound flight.