A Qantas Airbus A330, similar to that used on the airline’s flight to Perth from the east coast.

The 45-year-old boarded the Sydney bound flight from Perth yesterday morning and “began to demonstrate anti-social behaviour” about half an hour into the flight, a Qantas spokesman confirmed to news.com.au.

Passenger Simon Bowen, who was on the flight, told Perth radio station ABC 720 the episode was “abusive” and “violent”.

“He sparked off a little bit of a loud request for a drink, which went denied … there was a bit of abuse towards the air hostesses,” he said.

“It erupted in a bit of violence and a bit of fists being thrown towards people and a couple of nearby fellows managed to just get a handle on [him].

“[While they were] holding the fellow, the stewardess shouted and they did have an air marshal on board who was absolutely superb in the calmness.”

Mr Brown said he helped guard the man for the rest of the journey.

“Two fellas managed to stop him and get a hold of him because his arms were flailing around and he was hurling abuse at everybody,” he said.

The air marshal restrained the disorderly passenger with handcuffs while officers from the Australian Federal Police met the man when the flight landed in Sydney, said Mr Brown.

Qantas said none of their staff were harmed in the incident.

The Australian Federal Police told news.com.au that officers were called to Sydney Airport yesterday after “a man began to act inappropriately towards airline staff”.

The 45-year-old was allowed to leave the airport pending further investigation.

Police inquiries into this matter are continuing and no charges have yet been laid.

— with AAP