Jetstar flight turns around for priority landing after 'terrifying' fist fight breaks out mid-air

A Jetstar flight in Australia had to make a priority landing this week after a "terrifying" mid-air brawl broke out just 24 minutes after take-off.

Video taken onboard the plane shows chaos erupting as two men apparently have to be pulled apart as they throw wild punches at each other.

Flight JQ582 was travelling from Melbourne to Brisbane on Tuesday when the incident led to the pilot deciding to turn the plane around. It landed back at Melbourne Airport where Australian Federal Police officers removed two men.

One passenger told 9 News the fight was "absolutely terrifying" and another said she was clutching her son during the unexpected landing.

"There was a commotion, there was yelling, people started standing up, it went on for a couple of minutes," a passenger told 9 News.

"One gentleman was then escorted to the rear of the aircraft, he had blood on his face... we didn't hear anything else, we had no information."

Eyewitnesses on the flight said one of the men had caused concern even before he was onboard the plane.

"The guy was aggressive before he got on the plane and we thought surely they won't let him on the aircraft," the passenger said.

A Jetstar spokesperson said the airline has a "zero tolerance for disruptive and abusive behaviour".

"The safety of our passengers and our crew is always our first priority and we thank our customers for their patience," the airline's spokesperson said.

"We have zero tolerance for disruptive and abusive behaviour and following an altercation between two passengers the captain made the decision to return the aircraft to Melbourne.

"After checking on the welfare of remaining passengers and crew on board, the flight resumed. The safety of our passengers and our crew is always our first priority and we thank our customers for their patience."

Police told 9 News no arrests had been made after the mid-air incident.