Virgin Australia Melbourne to Doha flight chaos as passengers restrain two men over alleged threats

Two male passengers have been restrained aboard an international flight from Melbourne after allegedly threatening others and becoming involved in a dramatic mid-air disturbance.

The incident unfolded on Virgin Australia’s daily VA7 service from Melbourne to Doha on Friday, which is operated by Qatar Airways.

Footage shared online appears to show cabin crew struggling with passengers during the flight as the situation escalated.

Another video shows uniformed police officers aboard the aircraft after it landed, prompting applause from other passengers.

3AW Drive host Jacqui Felgate said one passenger told her they had stepped in to help restrain one of the men.

They helped “get the cable ties on” one passenger, Felgate said.

“Then another fella and a cabin crew sat with one of them. The second guy was lying down cuffed by a cabin crew also for the flight,” she said.

7News confirmed the aircraft was met by authorities upon arrival in Doha.

Felgate said she was also contacted by a woman whose 63-year-old mother had been seated near the two men during what she described as a “terrifying and disgraceful” ordeal.

“She was texting us from the plane Wi-Fi as it was escalating,” she said.

“Apparently they were headbutting and spitting on flight attendants.

“Apparently the men were shouting that they had a gun and required six to seven men each to restrain them in the galley until they could land.”

Qatar Airways confirmed two passengers had been involved in an incident aboard the flight.

“Both passengers were restrained and, upon arrival in Doha, were handed over to local authorities,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline said the two male passengers “were involved in a physical altercation on board flight VA7 from Melbourne to Doha, operated by Qatar Airways”.