Content creator who made life jacket prank banned from flying

Australian content creator Hugh Lovett has been banned from all domestic and international flights operated by Qantas and Jetstar after inflating a life jacket as a prank during a flight and sharing it on social media.

Australian content creator Hugh Lovett inflated his life jacket during the pre-flight safety briefing on a Jetstar aircraft scheduled to fly between Sydney and Adelaide on October 16, 2026. Lovett, who shared the footage on his social media accounts, was met by police upon landing at Adelaide Airport.

Following the incident, Qantas and Jetstar imposed a ban covering domestic and international flights for the content creator. Following the indefinite ban, Jetstar officials emphasized that passengers must comply with crew instructions and that unauthorized tampering with emergency equipment can restrict movement inside the cabin and slow down evacuation. Australian civil aviation regulations also warn passengers not to inflate life jackets inside the aircraft prior to flight.