A Jetstar passenger has been banned from flying with Qantas and Jetstar after inflating his life jacket during a pre-flight safety briefing.
Hugh Lovett, a member of social media group The Lovetts, was travelling on Jetstar flight JQ768 from Sydney to Adelaide on 16 October when he pulled the jacket’s inflation cord.
Video shared online shows the vest rapidly inflating as the safety announcement tells passengers to inflate life jackets only when leaving the aircraft.
Australian Federal Police officers met the flight in Adelaide and spoke with Lovett.
The AFP has not announced any charges. The Qantas Group later issued a no-fly order covering both Qantas and Jetstar, although the airlines have not said how long it will remain in place.
A Jetstar spokesperson said passengers must follow crew safety instructions and must not tamper with safety equipment unless directed. “We have zero tolerance for behaviour that puts the safety of our customers and crew at risk,” the spokesperson said.
The airline said an inflated life jacket can restrict movement in the cabin and potentially slow an evacuation. It is designed to be inflated only after passengers have left the aircraft.
