A New Zealand passenger has been banned from all Qantas flights after he became disruptive during a flight between Australia and the United States last week.
The plane from Melbourne to Dallas was forced to land in Tahiti where local police came on board and arrested the man upon arrival in Papeete.
Qantas said the passenger had been issued with a no-fly ban on the company's planes, which included also all Jetstar flights.
"The safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority and we have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights," a Qantas spokesperson told 9News.
Footage uploaded to social media by comedian Mike Goldstein showed a man in a heated exchange with cabin crew, repeatedly telling them to “f*ck off” when he was asked to move to the back of the plane.
"There's kids around everywhere and you're acting immature," one flight attendant was heard telling the passenger.
"You have to behave yourself, you're on a plane."
"Bro, I was just about to walk out for a cigarette," the passenger can be heard saying.
There have been reports the man bit a flight attendant, but that has not been confirmed by the airline.
The plane was refuelled and resumed its journey, with the rest of the passengers arriving in Dallas on Saturday morning.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a New Zealand man forces a Qantas flight to divert, and a dramatic collision at a US air show. (Source: Breakfast)
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