You won't believe what sparked cheers on this Jetstar flight
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There’s never a dull moment when you’re flying, is there? For most of us, a flight is a chance to sit back, relax, and maybe sneak in a nap or a movie before landing. But for passengers on a recent Jetstar flight from Vanuatu to Sydney, their journey ended with a bit more drama than they bargained for—and a round of applause that had nothing to do with a smooth landing!
Let’s set the scene: It’s Saturday night, and a full cabin of holidaymakers and families is buckled in, ready to return home after a tropical getaway. But as the plane touches down at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, the usual scramble to grab bags and queue in the aisle is put on hold. Instead, the captain’s voice comes over the intercom, instructing everyone to remain seated. The reason? The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are about to board.
What happened next had passengers reaching for their phones, eager to capture a moment that would soon have the whole plane buzzing. Three AFP officers strode down the aisle, heading straight for a young woman who, far from looking sheepish, strutted confidently, waving and even filming the spectacle on her own phone. According to witnesses, she seemed to revel in the attention, smiling, waving, and even poking her tongue out at the cameras.
So, what led to this dramatic exit? It all started shortly after take-off from Port Vila, when a family sitting near the woman noticed some suspicious behaviour. According to fellow passenger Clint Williams, who was travelling with his children, the woman was allegedly caught vaping mid-flight—a big no-no under aviation law, which strictly prohibits smoking or vaping on board. When cabin crew confronted her, things escalated quickly. The woman reportedly became verbally abusive, not just to the staff but also to other passengers.
As the flight continued, tensions simmered at the back of the plane, with raised voices and heated exchanges prompting the crew to call ahead for police assistance. By the time the plane landed, everyone was on edge, waiting to see what would happen next.
In a video later shared with the media, an AFP officer can be heard asking the woman, 'Did you vape? That’s the allegation.' The woman, unfazed, unzipped her bag and pulled out a packet of cigarettes, insisting she didn’t have a vape. 'Let’s look in my whole bag and see if I have a vape,' she declared, rummaging through her belongings. But the officers weren’t convinced, and when one reached for her phone, she snatched it back, claiming she was filming for her own safety.
Moments later, the situation reached its climax. The woman was placed under arrest and, despite her attempts to wrestle free, was escorted off the plane. As she disappeared down the aisle, the cabin erupted in cheers and applause—relief, perhaps, that the ordeal was finally over and everyone could get on with their evening.
The family who first raised the alarm were later seen speaking with police, and a male passenger (possibly a companion) was spotted carrying the woman’s bag off the aircraft. The AFP later confirmed that the woman was allegedly intoxicated, verbally abusive, and aggressive towards both passengers and crew. She’s now facing two charges: one for offensive disorderly behaviour on board an aircraft and another for conduct causing public nuisance. A court appearance is on the horizon.
Why is vaping (or smoking) on planes such a big deal?
For those who might be wondering, vaping and smoking are strictly banned on all commercial flights in Australia (and most of the world). Not only is it a fire hazard, but it can also trigger smoke alarms, disrupt other passengers, and create unnecessary panic. The penalties can be severe, ranging from hefty fines to criminal charges, as this incident demonstrates.
The importance of in-flight etiquette.
This incident is a timely reminder of the importance of good manners and respect for fellow travellers. Air travel can be stressful enough without disruptive behaviour. Cabin crew are there to keep everyone safe, and a little courtesy goes a long way. Most of us have encountered a difficult passenger at some point, but it’s rare to see things escalate to this level.
What to do if you witness bad behaviour on a flight
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, the best course of action is to alert the cabin crew discreetly. They’re trained to handle all sorts of scenarios and will know the appropriate steps to take. Avoid confronting the person yourself, as this can sometimes make things worse.
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a dramatic moment on a flight? Maybe you’ve got a story about a disruptive passenger, or perhaps you want to share your thoughts on in-flight etiquette. We’d love to hear from you! Drop your stories and opinions in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started.
And remember, next time you’re flying, a little patience and kindness can make the journey smoother for everyone. Safe travels, members!
Read more: You won’t believe why a woman tried to open a plane door at 33,000 feet
Let’s set the scene: It’s Saturday night, and a full cabin of holidaymakers and families is buckled in, ready to return home after a tropical getaway. But as the plane touches down at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, the usual scramble to grab bags and queue in the aisle is put on hold. Instead, the captain’s voice comes over the intercom, instructing everyone to remain seated. The reason? The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are about to board.
What happened next had passengers reaching for their phones, eager to capture a moment that would soon have the whole plane buzzing. Three AFP officers strode down the aisle, heading straight for a young woman who, far from looking sheepish, strutted confidently, waving and even filming the spectacle on her own phone. According to witnesses, she seemed to revel in the attention, smiling, waving, and even poking her tongue out at the cameras.
A young woman gets escorted off a Jetstar flight by AFP after allegedly vaping, being drunk, and abusing staff mid-air. Credit: Pexels
So, what led to this dramatic exit? It all started shortly after take-off from Port Vila, when a family sitting near the woman noticed some suspicious behaviour. According to fellow passenger Clint Williams, who was travelling with his children, the woman was allegedly caught vaping mid-flight—a big no-no under aviation law, which strictly prohibits smoking or vaping on board. When cabin crew confronted her, things escalated quickly. The woman reportedly became verbally abusive, not just to the staff but also to other passengers.
As the flight continued, tensions simmered at the back of the plane, with raised voices and heated exchanges prompting the crew to call ahead for police assistance. By the time the plane landed, everyone was on edge, waiting to see what would happen next.
In a video later shared with the media, an AFP officer can be heard asking the woman, 'Did you vape? That’s the allegation.' The woman, unfazed, unzipped her bag and pulled out a packet of cigarettes, insisting she didn’t have a vape. 'Let’s look in my whole bag and see if I have a vape,' she declared, rummaging through her belongings. But the officers weren’t convinced, and when one reached for her phone, she snatched it back, claiming she was filming for her own safety.
Moments later, the situation reached its climax. The woman was placed under arrest and, despite her attempts to wrestle free, was escorted off the plane. As she disappeared down the aisle, the cabin erupted in cheers and applause—relief, perhaps, that the ordeal was finally over and everyone could get on with their evening.
The family who first raised the alarm were later seen speaking with police, and a male passenger (possibly a companion) was spotted carrying the woman’s bag off the aircraft. The AFP later confirmed that the woman was allegedly intoxicated, verbally abusive, and aggressive towards both passengers and crew. She’s now facing two charges: one for offensive disorderly behaviour on board an aircraft and another for conduct causing public nuisance. A court appearance is on the horizon.
Why is vaping (or smoking) on planes such a big deal?
For those who might be wondering, vaping and smoking are strictly banned on all commercial flights in Australia (and most of the world). Not only is it a fire hazard, but it can also trigger smoke alarms, disrupt other passengers, and create unnecessary panic. The penalties can be severe, ranging from hefty fines to criminal charges, as this incident demonstrates.
The importance of in-flight etiquette.
This incident is a timely reminder of the importance of good manners and respect for fellow travellers. Air travel can be stressful enough without disruptive behaviour. Cabin crew are there to keep everyone safe, and a little courtesy goes a long way. Most of us have encountered a difficult passenger at some point, but it’s rare to see things escalate to this level.
What to do if you witness bad behaviour on a flight
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, the best course of action is to alert the cabin crew discreetly. They’re trained to handle all sorts of scenarios and will know the appropriate steps to take. Avoid confronting the person yourself, as this can sometimes make things worse.
And remember, next time you’re flying, a little patience and kindness can make the journey smoother for everyone. Safe travels, members!
Read more: You won’t believe why a woman tried to open a plane door at 33,000 feet
