Business class passenger booted off Sydney to Hawaii flight told cabin crew not to look at her
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EXCLUSIVE: Business class passenger accidentally placed in an economy seat on flight from Sydney to Hawaii is kicked off plane after warning cabin crew not to look at her for nine hours
- Daniele De Matos, 36, was due to fly from Sydney to Honolulu on Saturday night
- US citizen was mistakenly in Economy on her Hawaiian Airlines flight
- De Matos was moved to her rightful business class seat after staff abuse
- She got angry when a crew member stole a drink she didn’t finish
- Belligerent De Matos then told the stewards not to look at her for the next nine hours
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A combative American passenger in a business class plane was taken off a flight from Sydney to Hawaii after ordering cabin crew not to look at her for the next nine hours.
Daniele De Matos, a janitor for a software company who had come to Australia for work, was supposed to fly to Honolulu last Saturday, but started causing problems before her plane even got off the ground.
The 36-year-old boarded Hawaiian Airlines flight HA452 at 9:22 p.m. to make the 8,180 km journey on an Airbus A320, according to documents filed with the local Downing Center court.
“On board, the cabin crew sent the suspect to an economy seat, causing the suspect to become verbally abusive towards the employees,” the statement said.
A combative American passenger in a business class plane was taken off a flight from Sydney to Hawaii after ordering cabin crew not to look at her for the next nine hours. The woman was arrested and faced with the local court at Downing Center in Sydney. stock image
Daniele De Matos, a janitor for a software company who had come to Australia for work, was supposed to fly to Honolulu last Saturday, but started causing problems before her plane even got off the ground. stock image
The cabin crew realized they had made a mistake and directed De Matos to her correct business class seat where she sat down and calmed down.
“Shortly afterwards, the cabin crew prematurely took an alcoholic drink, causing the suspect to verbally insult that staff member,” the statement reads.
“The accused’s mood changed quickly and then she apologized and regretted.”
De Matos’s improved mood did not last long.
As the plane exited the gate and began taxiing to the runway, De Matos began to “stare” at the cabin crew member who had previously taken her drink while demonstrating safety rules on board.
That meeting scared the flight attendant, but according to the facts, De Matos was not done playing yet.
“Shortly after the demonstration ended, the suspect ordered the cabin crew not to look at her for nine hours,” it says.
“As a result of these interactions, the cabin crew advised the captain on the suspect’s behavior. The captain was of the opinion that the erratic and disorderly behavior of the suspect posed a risk to the safety of the aircraft’.
The captain decided to return the aircraft to the terminal to unload De Matos and another female cabin crew member approached her to explain what was going on.
De Matos, 36, boarded Hawaiian Airlines Flight HA452 at 9:22 p.m. to make the 8,180-mile journey to Honolulu in an Airbus A320, according to documents filed with the local Downing Center court. A Hawaiian Airlines plane is pictured at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
“During this, she placed her hand on the suspect’s shoulder to calm her down, causing the suspect to act aggressively towards the crew member,” the statement said.
The plane reached the gate at 10:08 p.m. and Hawaiian Airlines airport staff came aboard to remove De Matos from the plane. She refused and they called the police for help.
When officers from the Australian Federal Police came to get De Matos, she was “combatant”, but eventually walked out of the plane of her own accord. After delaying the flight for more than an hour, she was arrested and charged.
De Matos pleaded guilty to one count of abusive or disorderly conduct endangering security when she appeared before magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis on Monday.
Tsavdaridis convicted De Matos and fined her $600.
Federal police had enough of ‘air rage’ incidents on planes after Covid
The Australian Federal Police have had enough of passengers displaying abusive, violent and disruptive behaviour. Sydney Airport is pictured
The arrest of Daniele De Matos came two weeks after federal police warned passengers that abusive, violent and disruptive behavior in the air or on the ground would not be tolerated as passenger numbers continue to increase.
AFP Detective Morgen Blunden said the agency could not have been clearer in warning the public that police had no tolerance for antisocial, dangerous or violent behavior at airports.
“We are once again reminding the public to take firm action at airports and to treat other passengers and staff with respect,” Chief Inspector Blunden said.
“There is no excuse for this kind of behavior and those who choose to behave antisocially or aggressively will be held accountable.”
AFP officers had reported a trend of passengers causing nuisance, resulting in ‘air rage’ due to missed flights, travel delays and baggage issues.
They had also noted incidents of violent behavior outside terminals with disputes over taxis and rideshare vehicles.