Qantas flight attendant faces court after love triangle leads to violent altercation
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The skies are often thought of as a place of tranquillity and professionalism, especially when it comes to the flight attendants who ensure passenger comfort and safety.
However, a recent incident involving two Qantas flight attendants has taken a dramatic turn, resulting in one attendant sustaining serious injuries and another's career hanging in the balance.
Arabella Kimberly Mai Lansdown, a 24-year-old Qantas flight attendant, faced the District Court in Brisbane and learned her actions could cost her the job she loved.
The incident in question? A single punch thrown in a moment of emotional turmoil that left her 50-year-old colleague in need of facial surgery, complete with titanium screws.
The altercation was the culmination of a personal drama that had been brewing for some time.
Lansdown had considered the victim a ‘confidante’, but the revelation that her colleague had been involved with her ex-partner shattered that trust.
On November 26, 2022, Lansdown confronted the woman at her home, and upon the admission and apology for the affair, Lansdown delivered the punch that would have far-reaching consequences.
The victim's injuries were severe, including a fractured cheekbone, upper jaw, and eye socket.
District Court Judge Vicki Loury KC said: ‘It was in that emotional circumstance you delivered the single punch to her face.’
‘Perhaps, unfortunately for you, that single punch caused significant injury,’ the judge added.
The physical damage was compounded by ongoing numbness and psychological distress.
However, Judge Loury mentioned that the woman did not wish harm on Lansdown and urged the court to show leniency in sentencing.
Judge Loury stated: ‘She writes: “May this (victim impact statement) along with your own stress be punishment enough.”’
In court, Lansdown pleaded guilty to a single charge of grievous bodily harm. Her defence highlighted her previously unblemished record and the emotional context of the incident.
Lansdown, who had been with Qantas since high school through an Indigenous traineeship, was described as well-regarded and her actions as entirely out of character.
The defence argued that the injuries were borderline with an assault occasioning actual bodily harm—a point the judge firmly disputed, emphasising the seriousness of the injuries caused by just one blow.
‘She’s responsible for the injuries, whether she intended them or not,’ the judge said.
Lansdown's personal struggles, including prejudice faced in her childhood and the emotional toll of her breakup, were also presented to the court, along with her efforts to make amends through compensation and a letter of remorse.
In the end, Judge Loury handed down an 18-month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered Lansdown to pay $2,000 in compensation to the victim.
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However, a recent incident involving two Qantas flight attendants has taken a dramatic turn, resulting in one attendant sustaining serious injuries and another's career hanging in the balance.
Arabella Kimberly Mai Lansdown, a 24-year-old Qantas flight attendant, faced the District Court in Brisbane and learned her actions could cost her the job she loved.
The incident in question? A single punch thrown in a moment of emotional turmoil that left her 50-year-old colleague in need of facial surgery, complete with titanium screws.
A Qantas flight attendant violently confronted her colleague. Image source: Shutterstock
The altercation was the culmination of a personal drama that had been brewing for some time.
Lansdown had considered the victim a ‘confidante’, but the revelation that her colleague had been involved with her ex-partner shattered that trust.
On November 26, 2022, Lansdown confronted the woman at her home, and upon the admission and apology for the affair, Lansdown delivered the punch that would have far-reaching consequences.
The victim's injuries were severe, including a fractured cheekbone, upper jaw, and eye socket.
District Court Judge Vicki Loury KC said: ‘It was in that emotional circumstance you delivered the single punch to her face.’
‘Perhaps, unfortunately for you, that single punch caused significant injury,’ the judge added.
The physical damage was compounded by ongoing numbness and psychological distress.
However, Judge Loury mentioned that the woman did not wish harm on Lansdown and urged the court to show leniency in sentencing.
Judge Loury stated: ‘She writes: “May this (victim impact statement) along with your own stress be punishment enough.”’
In court, Lansdown pleaded guilty to a single charge of grievous bodily harm. Her defence highlighted her previously unblemished record and the emotional context of the incident.
Lansdown, who had been with Qantas since high school through an Indigenous traineeship, was described as well-regarded and her actions as entirely out of character.
The defence argued that the injuries were borderline with an assault occasioning actual bodily harm—a point the judge firmly disputed, emphasising the seriousness of the injuries caused by just one blow.
‘She’s responsible for the injuries, whether she intended them or not,’ the judge said.
Lansdown's personal struggles, including prejudice faced in her childhood and the emotional toll of her breakup, were also presented to the court, along with her efforts to make amends through compensation and a letter of remorse.
In the end, Judge Loury handed down an 18-month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered Lansdown to pay $2,000 in compensation to the victim.
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