Overview
- QF21 from Melbourne to Dallas diverted to Papeete, Tahiti on Friday after a disruptive passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant.
- Local police boarded in Papeete and took the man into custody, and Qantas banned him from all Qantas Group flights.
- An ACARS operations message to the cockpit referenced the bitten crew member and asked for seat numbers of passengers who helped restrain him.
- Passenger video by comedian Mike Goldstein shows the man stumbling, swearing and arguing with crew, though the footage does not show the alleged bite.
- After refuelling, the 787 continued to Dallas and arrived about three hours late, underscoring how such incidents disrupt long-haul operations and shift legal handling to the country where a diversion occurs.