Captain turns Melbourne-Bali flight around due to 'abusive', 'disruptive' passenger

A flight from Melbourne to Bali was forced to turn around due to a disruptive passenger who gave an expletive-filled tirade in front of the planeload of travellers.

Jetstar flight JQ43 left Tullamarine Airport just before 10:30am today, but did a U-turn less than two hours into the journey so the captain could get police assistance to deal with the passenger.

Shocked passengers watched and some filmed the outburst.

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"Out of nowhere she decided to go up and down the aisle abusing staff and then yeah just sort of got worse and worse," one man said.

"She said she was going to vomit and pee on everyone," a woman said.

Australian Federal Police met the plane on the tarmac.

"The captain decided to return to Melbourne to get assistance from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) after a passenger became disruptive just under two hours into the flight," a Jetstar spokesperson said.

"We know this was a difficult experience for other customers and our team members, and we thank those who assisted with the situation."

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An expletive-laden tirade can be heard in footage from the flight, while Emma, one of the other passengers on the flight, said the woman in question became abusive towards other travellers.

"We knew a commotion was happening down the back and then this particular person kind of stormed up the front, carried on a little bit, we could hear her arguing and the cabin crew started to panic a little bit as well, started to usher her down to the back," she told 3AW.

"But then it went on for a little bit, the pilot said there was a threat to security and he had to take it very seriously.

"But still for the next hour or so this particular lady was able to continue to walk the plane, storm the plane almost.

"There were people moving up the front with their bags trying to get away from the particular incident and it continued to go on.

"An older man actually made a comment to her as she was passing through and she was right up in his face and abused the absolute hell out of him and smashed his glasses off his face. His poor wife was terrified."

The flight has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning.

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Due to the circumstances, several crew members were unable to continue flying and the flight has been rescheduled for 10am tomorrow," the spokesperson said.

"We will provide accommodation overnight to any customers who need it and cover other reasonable expenses including meals.

"The safety of our customers and crew is our priority."

The AFP said it was investigating.