AUCKLAND- A passenger aboard an Air New Zealand (NZ) flight from Perth Airport (PER) to Auckland Airport (AKL) has been sentenced to jail and ordered to pay over $10,000 in compensation after assaulting a flight attendant.
The mid-flight incident on October 23, 2024, forced the aircraft to divert to Melbourne Airport (MEL), where the intoxicated passenger was restrained and arrested. The offender, Swalyn Malaice Jackson Barton-Cookes, has since pleaded guilty to assaulting the flight crew.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir New Zealand Passenger Assaults
Swalyn Malaice Jackson Barton-Cookes, aged 23 at the time, became aggressive shortly after takeoff from Perth Airport (PER).
According to court documents, he shouted profanities in an “aggressive manner,” disturbing fellow passengers and prompting intervention by the cabin crew manager.
When confronted, Barton-Cookes grabbed the manager’s arm and attempted to headbutt him multiple times. The situation escalated to the point where other crew members and passengers had to restrain him at the rear of the aircraft physically.
For safety reasons, the pilot diverted the flight to Melbourne Airport (MEL), landing at approximately 1:50 AM.
Barton-Cookes was charged and later pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, to two counts of assaulting airline crew.
He was sentenced to a jail term and fined $10,824 in compensation to Air New Zealand (NZ). When questioned in court, he stated, “I can’t remember” the events of the flight.
According to the NZ Herald, Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook emphasized that aviation staff should not be subjected to violence or abuse during their duties.
He stated, “Antisocial behaviour during a flight can pose a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft, and in this instance, also inconvenience passengers on board.”
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) reiterated its commitment to working alongside the airline industry to ensure safety for both crew and passengers, especially in the air and at airports.
Photo: JFK SpottingSimilar Incident
In a separate case, two JetBlue (B6) passengers were arrested after allegedly engaging in a sexual act during a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) on July 19, 2025.
The incident occurred in full view of two minors, triggering immediate intervention by the flight crew. According to authorities, a mother traveling with her children reported the behavior to the crew at 10:28 AM.
The couple, identified as Trista L. Reilly and Christopher D. Arnold, both from Connecticut, was detained upon landing and charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of minors.
Arnold’s prior arrest in March for disorderly conduct and assault further heightened concerns about his conduct. Authorities have not confirmed whether alcohol or drugs were involved in this case.
Passenger Accountability
These recent events underscore the growing need for stricter enforcement of in-flight conduct regulations.
Airlines and law enforcement agencies continue to urge passengers to behave responsibly and to respect the safety and dignity of fellow travelers and crew members.
Incidents like these have operational, legal, and financial repercussions not only for the offenders but also for all those affected by diverted or disrupted flights. Aviation authorities around the world remain firm in their stance against any form of in-flight misconduct.
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