Overview
- QF21, which left Melbourne for Dallas on Friday, diverted to Papeete after a passenger became aggressive and had to be restrained.
- Local police boarded in Tahiti, removed and arrested the man, and Qantas issued a permanent ban from its flights including Jetstar.
- An ACARS message referenced a bitten crew member, which Qantas has not confirmed publicly, and video posted by comedian Mike Goldstein showed the confrontation but not the bite.
- The 787 refueled in Papeete and continued to Dallas, arriving about three hours late after crew and fellow passengers helped secure the man.
- Qantas reiterated a zero‑tolerance policy as French Polynesian authorities handle the case, underscoring the disruption and missed connections that diversions on long ocean routes create.