The Australian Federal Police said the man "refused a crew member’s instruction to take his seat" and allegedly pushed the crew member during the incident

NEED TO KNOW

A 59-year-old man has been charged with allegedly assaulting an airline crew member after a bathroom dispute on a plane to Brisbane at Perth Airport in Australia
Local police said the man “refused a crew member’s instruction to take his seat” and "pushed" the crew member because he wanted to go to the bathroom
If convicted of the crime, the man could face up to 14 years in prison, Australian Federal Police said

A 59-year-old man has been arrested and charged in Australia following a bathroom dispute on a plane.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) shared in a news release on Tuesday, July 29, that the airline passenger — who was not identified — was removed from a flight to Brisbane at Perth Airport by police on July 14.

Police said the man allegedly “refused a crew member’s instruction to take his seat” as the flight was preparing for departure “because he wanted to use the bathroom,” and “pushed the crew member.”

The incident was then reported to the flight captain, who requested assistance from police at the airport. AFP officers went to the gate and “removed the man” from the plane. Officers alleged that the man had also been “uncooperative with police.”

AFP shared an arrest image of the man being taken away from the flight. In the photo, he could be seen wearing a white button up shirt and black slacks as he sat down in an area with a white interior.

Police did not say if he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or any other substances at the time of the incident.

AFP Inspector Peter Brindal said airline crew members "worked to ensure a safe journey for all travellers" and that "any aggressive or violent behaviour towards them was unacceptable."

“The AFP has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the assault or mistreatment of airline staff, and anyone who commits such an offense can be prosecuted,” Brindal said in a statement, per the release.

The 59-year-old has been charged with “one count of assaulting a crew member, contrary to section 318A of the Criminal Code.” If found guilty of this charge, the man could face up to 14 years in prison, police said.

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The man is set to make his first appearance at Perth Magistrates Court on July 29.

There have also been a number of unruly passengers flagged in airports across the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said there have been 934 unruly passenger reports in 2025, as of July 27.

The FAA said anyone who is flagged as an unruly passenger may face a felony conviction and fines of up to “$37,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases,” according to its website.