Qantas non-stop Australia to London flight turned back after passenger became 'hyper-aggressive like a cornered animal'

The Qantas plane was two hours into a 17 hour flight when it was forced to turn back
AFP/Getty Images
Patrick Grafton-Green9 September 2018

A non-stop Qantas flight from Australia to London was forced to turn back when a male passenger became “hyper aggressive”.

The plane, which had been due to land in the capital on Saturday night, returned to Perth after two hours of the 17-hour flight.

The airline said upon landing the passenger was removed by Australian Federal Police.

One passenger told Perth Now that the man’s behaviour became erratic when he returned to his seat after going to the toilet.

He appeared “incredibly agitated” and his behaviour was “hyper-aggressive, like a cornered animal”.

“He was suddenly standing up and shouting and pointing in an extremely aggressive manner,” the passenger said.

Claire Hudson, who was also on the plane, told ABC he “locked himself in the loo for about an hour” before “squaring off against another passenger and sort of shouting in his face”.

A Qantas spokesman said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour on board.

“The safety of our crew and customers is our number one priority.”

The passengers were given overnight accommodation and were due to fly again on Sunday.

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