World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
Influencer banned by Jetstar and Qantas after inflating plane life vest
Australian influencer Hugh Lovett inflated a life vest during a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Adelaide on 16 October.
He pulled its inflation cord during the safety demonstration, saying later that he wanted to have some fun.
The vest could not be used again, so Lovett moved to another seat with an intact one because the flight had spare seats.
A working life vest must be available for every passenger, and a damaged vest can leave its seat unusable or disrupt a flight.
Police spoke to Lovett after landing in Adelaide, and Australia’s federal police say their investigation is continuing.
Jetstar and Qantas have banned him from flying, though the length of the ban is not known.
Australian aviation law allows fines of up to 18,200 Australian dollars for tampering with safety equipment.
Australian influencer Hugh Lovett inflated his life vest during the safety demonstration on a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Adelaide.
The vest could not be used again, so Lovett moved to another seat on the flight.
After landing in Adelaide, the pilot escorted him to police, and an investigation was reported to be ongoing.
Jetstar and Qantas barred Lovett from flying with them, with no end date stated.
Lovett said he acted because he wanted to have a little fun.
- Who
- Australian influencer Hugh Lovett.
- What
- He inflated his life vest during a flight safety demonstration and was later banned from flying with Jetstar and Qantas.
- When
- Friday, 16 October. The airlines’ bans were reported on the following Wednesday.
- Where
- On Jetstar flight JQ768 from Sydney to Adelaide, Australia.
- Why
- Lovett said he wanted to have a little fun.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lovett inflated his life vest during the safety demonstration on Jetstar flight JQ768 from Sydney to Adelaide.
The pilot escorted Lovett to police, who spoke with him.
Lovett said he received an email informing him that Jetstar and Qantas had barred him from flying with them.
- Passenger
- Hugh Lovett
- Flight
- Jetstar JQ768
- Route
- Sydney to Adelaide
- Incident date
- Friday, 16 October
- Potential maximum fine
- 18,200 Australian dollars
- Airlines imposing bans
- Jetstar and Qantas
3 sources
What people are saying
Honestly, I just wanted to have a little fun.
They made it very clear that you shouldn’t put it on or pull it before you leave the aircraft.
I just don’t listen particularly well.
We have zero tolerance for behaviour that endangers the safety of our customers and crew.