Plumber who sparked chaos on a Jetstar plane when he vaped in a toilet is unmasked – as passengers claim they get away with it all the time

EXCLUSIVE

A Jetstar passenger who jumped off a flight for vaping in the toilet has been exposed as a plumber in Sydney.

Justin Kauter was traveling from Sydney to Bali on Wednesday, October 4 when he was caught vaping after setting off the plane’s smoke alarm.

Viral footage shows Mr Kauter carrying his suitcase down the aisle as he was escorted off the plane by Australian Federal Police.

Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Mr Kauter is employed at a small family plumbing business owned by a relative.

According to social media, the young father has been working in the company for five years.

When contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Mr Kauter’s mother said she was aware of his trip to Bali but was not aware of the vaping incident or his newfound viral fame.

Justin Kauter (pictured) was taken off a Jetstar flight to Bali earlier this month after being caught vaping in the toilet

Daily Mail Australia has learned that Mr Kauter rebooked a new flight and flew to Bali two days after the incident.

Sources said the commotion caused an hour-and-a-half delay for fellow passengers as airline staff called police to remove him from the flight.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Kauter for comment.

Under Australian law, smoking and the use of e-cigarettes, such as vapes, is strictly prohibited on airplanes and carries severe penalties.

A Jetstar spokesman said airline staff had called the AFP to help remove Mr Kauter from the plane after fumes set off the plane’s smoke detectors before departure.

“Customers cannot vape on a plane, it’s as simple as that,” an airline spokesperson said.

‘The use of all types of e-cigarettes on aircraft is strictly prohibited.

“Safety is our top priority and this type of behavior will never be tolerated by our crew.”

Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Kauter has not been charged over the incident.

The video has been viewed more than five million times and received approximately 177,000 likes after it was posted online earlier this month.

Mr Kauter (pictured) was filmed earlier this month as he was escorted off the plane

Mr. Kauter works as a plumber at a family business

Mr. Kauter (right) is pictured during a plumbing job

The clip sparked heated debate online, with dozens of vapers admitting they “always” did it, while other social media users condemned the behavior.

One person said it ‘seems like he’s just inexperienced, I’ve never had any problems’, while someone else suggested: ‘You just hold it and don’t blow it out.’

“I literally wait until I get out and then put a blanket or sweater over my head,” a third added.

“Vaping in the bathroom lol,” said another woman.

However, others were stunned at how many people had admitted to breaking the aviation rule.

“The lack of self-control is astonishing,” one person wrote.

‘This is such an obvious rule that is even written all over the plane and when purchasing your ticket. How do people still do this? Can’t live without it?’ said another.

Kauter is not the first person to be kicked off a flight in Australia for sneaking a puff.

In May 2021, a Queensland man was fined $4,000 for vaping while drunk and disorderly on board a Jetstar flight to Hobart.

Just four months later, a Perth man faced a possible $16,800 fine after he was accused of vaping in his seat and in the toilet before illegally using his mobile phone as the plane approached landing.

Images of Mr Kauter being removed from the plane by AFP officers have since circulated online