WATCH: Dramatic Scene on Flight as Police Escort Intoxicated Passenger Off Plane as Angry Onlookers Cheer
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This embarrassing moment caught on camera is a good reminder to be mindful of your alcohol consumption while in public, members.
An allegedly drunk passenger on a Jetstar flight was escorted off the plane by five police officers – while fellow passengers heckled her with chants of Steam’s 1969 classic ‘Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)‘.
The incident happened on Sunday on the JQ631 flight travelling from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. Social media footage showed about five police officers picking up the 42-year-old woman from her seat and arresting her.
‘There she goes,’ a man’s voice said.
Another added: ‘This is ridiculous.’
In the video, other passengers can be seen filming the woman as she reluctantly got up from her seat and left with officers after ‘tense’ negotiations.
The passenger who uploaded the footage on social media shared that their three-hour flight was delayed for an hour over the ordeal.
A spokesperson for Jetstar told reporters that airline staff were the ones who called Federal Police to escort the woman off the plane.
‘We requested the assistance of the Australian Federal Police after a passenger was increasingly disruptive prior to departure and refused to follow crew instructions,’ they shared.
The spokesperson added that the safety of their customers and crew is their number one priority.
‘We have zero tolerance for disruptive behaviour,’ they added.
A spokesperson for the AFP said the woman was asked to leave ‘due to her alleged level of intoxication’. When she refused to cooperate, the police then charged her with disorderly conduct.
‘She has been charged with one count of behaving in an offensive or disorderly manner on an aircraft,’ the spokesperson stated.
You can watch the video of the arrest below:
She is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on March 20. If convicted, she faces a maximum $13,750 fine.
This incident has sparked conversation about how to handle inebriated passengers on flights. Other travellers and airline staff may be conditioned to respond in different ways depending on where they are in the world.
In Australia, alcohol consumption is considered a natural part of the travel experience and passengers may use it to destress. However, aviation authorities prohibit drunk passengers from boarding planes.
To assist member airlines in the prevention and management of unruly passenger incidents, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a high-level document that details de-escalation training to help diffuse incidents, or the responsible service of alcohol during flights.
In Australia, there is an Alcohol Restricted Area Rule that helps reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on individuals and the community. It includes alcohol laws that are dependent on the state or territory you’re in. You can read more on that here.
Have you ever been in a similar situation? If so, how did you handle it? Share your stories and tips with us in the comments below!
An allegedly drunk passenger on a Jetstar flight was escorted off the plane by five police officers – while fellow passengers heckled her with chants of Steam’s 1969 classic ‘Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)‘.
The incident happened on Sunday on the JQ631 flight travelling from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. Social media footage showed about five police officers picking up the 42-year-old woman from her seat and arresting her.
‘There she goes,’ a man’s voice said.
Another added: ‘This is ridiculous.’
In the video, other passengers can be seen filming the woman as she reluctantly got up from her seat and left with officers after ‘tense’ negotiations.
The passenger who uploaded the footage on social media shared that their three-hour flight was delayed for an hour over the ordeal.
A spokesperson for Jetstar told reporters that airline staff were the ones who called Federal Police to escort the woman off the plane.
‘We requested the assistance of the Australian Federal Police after a passenger was increasingly disruptive prior to departure and refused to follow crew instructions,’ they shared.
The spokesperson added that the safety of their customers and crew is their number one priority.
‘We have zero tolerance for disruptive behaviour,’ they added.
A spokesperson for the AFP said the woman was asked to leave ‘due to her alleged level of intoxication’. When she refused to cooperate, the police then charged her with disorderly conduct.
‘She has been charged with one count of behaving in an offensive or disorderly manner on an aircraft,’ the spokesperson stated.
You can watch the video of the arrest below:
She is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on March 20. If convicted, she faces a maximum $13,750 fine.
This incident has sparked conversation about how to handle inebriated passengers on flights. Other travellers and airline staff may be conditioned to respond in different ways depending on where they are in the world.
In Australia, alcohol consumption is considered a natural part of the travel experience and passengers may use it to destress. However, aviation authorities prohibit drunk passengers from boarding planes.
To assist member airlines in the prevention and management of unruly passenger incidents, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a high-level document that details de-escalation training to help diffuse incidents, or the responsible service of alcohol during flights.
In Australia, there is an Alcohol Restricted Area Rule that helps reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on individuals and the community. It includes alcohol laws that are dependent on the state or territory you’re in. You can read more on that here.
Key Takeaways
- A Jetstar passenger was removed from a flight from the Gold Coast to Melbourne by five police officers after she allegedly became disruptive and refused to follow crew instructions.
- Passengers began heckling the woman, singing 1969 classic ‘Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)‘ as she was escorted off the plane.
- The woman has now been charged with disorderly conduct on an aircraft and faces a maximum penalty of $13,750 and a court appearance on March 20.