Cathay Pacific Faces Backlash: Child Served Wine on Flight

A Hong Kong family (redonte/@Enzo) is seeking accountability from Cathay Pacific after their three-year-old was mistakenly served white wine instead of water on flight CX255 from Hong Kong to London on April 24, 2025.

Shocking Incident Unfolds

The family’s ordeal began with a series of issues aboard the Aria Suite business class flight. After a 30-minute delay, five passengers were removed due to faulty seats. During takeoff, an overhead bin door unexpectedly opened, causing a bag to fall. The most alarming moment occurred during meal service when the child was served white wine instead of water, sparking immediate panic. A volunteer doctor downplayed the incident, remarking that “children in France drink at five”—a response the family found unprofessional and irrelevant.

Cathay Pacific’s Inadequate Response

Cathay Pacific’s response, sent via email on May 1, 2025, from an Assistant Manager at Customer Care, offered a vague apology and failed to address key concerns. The airline confirmed that a volunteer doctor had assessed the child and found no issues, though no credential checks were performed. The crew monitored the sleeping child and provided a seatbelt extension, attributing the overhead bin issue to a latch defect. As compensation, the airline offered toys for children aged 3-6 and emphasized safety protocols, but the family called this response evasive and insufficient.

Timeline of the Cathay Pacific Incident

• Boarding Delays: 30-minute delay; five passengers removed for seat issues.

• Takeoff Mishap: Overhead bin opened, dropping a bag.

• Alcohol Error: Child served white wine instead of water; crew offered no immediate medical support.

• Crew Reaction: Dismissive comments like “You’re not mad at me, are you?”; no further interaction for 14 hours.

• Post-Flight Response: Email apology on May 1, 2025, seen as deflecting blame.

Legal and Safety Concerns

Serving alcohol to a child under five is illegal in the UK, and in Hong Kong, it can incur fines for minors under 18. The family criticized the crew’s focus on opening a case rather than ensuring safety, with remarks like “Your child is big and fine!” adding insult to injury.

Family’s Call to Action

The family, initially reluctant to complain, now seeks:

1. Public Awareness: They urge parents to check children’s meals on flights, warning of risks to those with alcohol sensitivities.

2. Accountability from Cathay Pacific:

   • Why was white wine served as water, and why were no food sensitivity checks or child utensils provided?

   • How did a trained overhead bin open during takeoff, and why were passengers removed?

   • What measures will prevent future incidents, especially for children and alcohol handling?

   • How are volunteer medics verified, and why was MedLink not consulted?

   • Why has the responsible crew member not apologized, and what disciplinary actions will follow?

Latest update:

Grateful for public support, the family is filing a formal complaint and collaborating with media to share their story. They express disappointment in Cathay Pacific, a top global airline, for lacking a thorough investigation. The airline has yet to issue a detailed public statement, leaving safety concerns unresolved.