The turnaround two hours into the 17-hour Boeing 787 flight on Saturday meant passengers had to be put up in hotels overnight and the flight could not resume until midday on Sunday because a new crew was required.
A passenger who forced the turnaround of a non-stop Perth to London Qantas flight is likely to be slapped with a bill of ten of thousands of dollars.
The turnaround two hours into the 17-hour Boeing 787 flight on Saturday meant passengers had to be put up in hotels overnight and the flight could not resume until midday on Sunday because a new crew was required.
Qantas said the extra flying time pushed the crew members over their duty limits, and the flight was rescheduled.
The decision to return to Perth was made by the captain, who cited the welfare and safety of the passengers for his decision.
The disruptive passenger had to be restrained by crew and was met by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers when the aircraft landed in Perth.
Qantas has apologised for the inconvenience to passengers, but said it takes a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour on board its aircraft.
In March, a passenger who forced a Perth to Brisbane flight to return after he became aggressive was ordered to pay A$25,700 (US$19,500) in fines and reparations to Qantas.