Australian social media influencer Hugh Lovett has been banned from flying with Qantas and Jetstar after inflating an aircraft life jacket during a safety briefing and posting the stunt online.
Lovett was travelling on Jetstar flight JQ768 from Sydney to Adelaide last Friday when he pulled the life jacket inflation cord while seated beside his brother Blake. He later admitted he had ignored crew instructions not to tamper with the safety equipment.
After the aircraft landed in Adelaide, the pilot directed Lovett to police. The Australian Federal Police confirmed officers spoke with a passenger following the incident. Days later, Lovett received an email confirming his flying ban with both airlines, although its duration was not disclosed.
A Jetstar spokesperson confirmed the ban, stating that the airline has zero tolerance for behaviour that puts passengers and crew at risk. Lovett acknowledged that his actions were a “big mistake” and said he did not expect the stunt to lead to such serious consequences.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some users calling the punishment excessive while others criticised the influencer for risking aviation safety for social media engagement. As Qantas and Jetstar account for a significant share of Australia’s domestic air travel, the ban could considerably restrict his travel options.