By Charles Switzer
1:09pm PST, Jan 24, 2025
Mid-Flight Chaos
A Fiji Airways flight from San Francisco to Nadi on Monday, January 20, was disrupted when a 69-year-old Australian passenger caused a commotion mid-flight.Witnesses described the woman shouting racial slurs and "vulgar and nasty language," throwing objects and attempting to physically assault a crew member. Despite repeated efforts to calm her, the crew had no choice but to restrain her using duct tape and move her to the rear of the aircraft.
One passenger shared on social media, "It was chaos — you could feel the tension in the cabin."
The disturbance lasted nearly an hour before the woman was subdued.
Here's what happened.
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
Fiji Airways Responds to In-Flight Disruption
"At Fiji Airways, the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority," the airline noted, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for threatening behavior.The airline also confirmed full cooperation with authorities to investigate the incident further.
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas told local media, "This event highlights the pressures on airline staff to manage extreme situations while ensuring the safety of everyone on board."
Immediate Arrest Upon Landing
Upon landing in Nadi, the unruly passenger was met by Fijian police and taken into custody.She now faces charges under the Fiji Civil Aviation Act for disorderly conduct. Fiji Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu stated, "The passenger was visibly intoxicated and disruptive, causing distress to other passengers and endangering the safety of the flight crew."
Local legal experts suggest that the passenger could face severe penalties, including a possible ban from international air travel.
Social Media Reacts to Duct Tape Restraint
Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media, sparking a mix of outrage and support for the crew's handling of the situation.One TikTok video, captioned "When duct tape saves the day," garnered over two million views within hours.
Reactions ranged from sympathy for the affected passengers to praise for the quick thinking of the flight attendants. One Twitter user commented, "This is why airline staff deserve so much respect — they deal with things most of us can't even imagine."
Critics, however, debated whether duct tape was an appropriate restraint method.
Implications for Airline Safety and Passenger Behavior
This incident has reignited calls for stricter measures to handle unruly passengers and for better training to defuse in-flight conflicts.Aviation consultant Peter Carter told The Telegraph, "These incidents are becoming increasingly common. Airlines need consistent protocols to ensure passenger and crew safety without escalating the situation."
Some have suggested implementing stricter alcohol limits for international flights, while others argue for harsher penalties to deter disruptive behavior. Fiji Airways is reportedly reviewing its response to the incident as part of broader safety assessments.