Man tries to open door mid-flight

SYDNEY - Qantas staff had to subdue a man who tried to open the door of a flight making its descent into Sydney airport early on this morning, a fellow passenger said on arrival.

The man, who was clearly agitated, had been trying to stand up and move around the plane for about ten minutes during the descent, the witness who was about two rows away said, but staff managed to reseat him.

"The man, who was a big guy, stood up again and made a move for the middle door in the economy section.

"He grabbed the handle but Qantas staff were able to restrain him," the fellow passenger on the QF2 flight from London via Bangkok said.

Qantas staff moved the man to the front section of the plane and the flight made a normal landing, touching down at 6.05am AEST, he said.

"The incident wasn't in any way threatening, but some children did become scared and upset, and started yelling."

Passengers were asked to remain in their seats for another 20 minutes before being allowed to begin to disembark.

Qantas is being sought for comment.

- AAP