German escapes jail for mid-air meltdown

A German man who smoked in an aeroplane toilet, assaulted a crew member and threatened to open a door mid-flight on his way to Australia has escaped jail.

But he'll have to pay compensation to the airline and the crew member he injured.

Mathias Jorg, 55, was restrained on the Emirates Singapore-Brisbane flight for two hours after he became violent towards crew who tried to stop him smoking.

Jorg was sentenced for his mid-air outburst in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

The German national was charged with smoking in an aircraft toilet, assaulting a cabin crew member and interfering with a cabin crew member.

He was also charged with obstructing a Commonwealth public official, who he attempted to headbutt during his arrest at Brisbane Airport.