A man was arrested after allegedly running naked down the aisle of an Australian domestic flight, knocking over a flight attendant, and forcing the plane to return to its departure point. The incident, which occurred on a Virgin Australia flight from Perth to Melbourne, led to an unexpected turn of events on Monday night, May 28, 2024.
The flight, VA696, was scheduled to be a 3-hour and 30-minute journey but had to return to Perth Airport due to a “disruptive passenger,” according to the airline’s statement. Australian Federal Police were waiting at the airport, and the passenger was taken off the plane upon arrival.
According to police, the man allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight, causing chaos and knocking a crew member to the floor. He was then transferred to a hospital for assessment, where he remains.
It remains unclear where or how the passenger disrobed during the flight. Police have stated that they expect to summon the man to appear in a Perth court on June 14, though the specific charges have not yet been determined.
Virgin Australia apologized to the passengers affected by the incident, reaffirming that the safety of everyone on board is their top priority. Both the airline and the police have refrained from making further comments beyond their initial statements.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that no injuries occurred during the incident.
