Learning from Turbulence Cases, Singapore Airlines Changes Food Serving Policy

Singapore Airlines changed a number of service policies following the turbulence incident that hit flight SQ321.

AFP/LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA

Singapore Airlines SQ321 aircraft was parked on the tarmac of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday (May 22, 2024), after making an emergency landing at the airport due to turbulence during its flight from London, England.

SINGAPORE, FRIDAY — Singapore Airlines changed a number of on-board service policies following the turbulence incident. Airline management decided to suspend serving hot drinks and stop serving food when the seat belt sign was on during the flight.

In a written statement released on Thursday (23/5/2024), Singapore Airlines stated that this action is a form of caution in the event of unexpected conditions during flights, including turbulence.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft number SQ321 was forced to make an emergency landing at Svarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday (21/5/2024) evening, because it experienced turbulence above Andaman Sea on a flight from London to Singapore.

A 73-year-old passenger of British nationality died, while 30 others were injured in the incident. Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok, which treated the injured passengers, revealed that 20 people are still being treated in the intensive care unit, while 9 have undergone surgery, and 5 are waiting to be operated on.

Also read: Singapore Airlines makes emergency landing in Bangkok, 1 passenger dies

Learning from the fatal incident, the management of Singapore Airlines (SIA) has changed some service policies for its passengers. In addition to suspending the serving of hot drinks and halting the provision of meals during turbulence, the airline also requires all crew members to immediately return to their seats and fasten their seat belts.

The action was taken after they ensured that all passengers had returned to their seats and fastened their seat belts, or even tightened them. "Cabin crew members will also continue to urge passengers to return to their seats and fasten their seat belts," SIA management said in its statement.

"They will also monitor passengers who may need assistance, including those in the toilet," their statement continued.

AP

A passenger from Bangkok, pushed in a wheelchair, arrives at the airport in Singapore, May 22, 2024.

The current policy, which mandates securing all items that fall from the cabin during adverse weather conditions, will continue.

SIA management did not explain whether the policy of suspending hot drinks and stopping serving food would apply to all passengers, including business class and first class, or only to certain classes.

The serving of hot drinks and food is usually done for long-distance flights. Flight attendants usually serve this type of food around one or two hours after departing from the original airport for all passengers.

The second serving is usually done one or two hours before landing. The type of hot beverage served is tea, coffee, or chocolate, accompanied by bread or nuts.

Also read: Turbulence is increasingly haunting the world of aviation, the impact of climate change

Outside of those times, for long-haul flight passengers, hot drinks can also be served if they are watching entertainment or games provided on the screen in front of them.

KOMPAS/ILHAM KHOIRI

A number of flight attendants train to serve passengers at the Singapore Airlines Training Center, Singapore, 11 October 2018.

SIA management stated that the rule changes are for the safety and comfort of passengers throughout the flight. They also stated that all cabin crews and pilots are aware of the dangers that occur during turbulence.

"SIA will continue to review our processes because the safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance," said management.

20 passengers entered the ICU

Meanwhile, around 20 injured passengers are still receiving treatment at hospitals in Bangkok. Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, Director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok, as quoted from the Channel News Asia website, stated that the number of patients currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains unchanged, at 20 people.

Six passengers were initially classified as red cases, meaning they were in critical condition and potentially life-threatening. However, the situation changed on Thursday (May 23, 2024), and there were no patients with life-threatening conditions.

Even so, six people who were initially declared critical suffered injuries to their head, particularly to their skull and brain concussion. He said that it is still too early for the hospital to say whether there are patients who will suffer permanent paralysis due to the injuries they have experienced.

AP PHOTO/SAKCHAI LALIT

Director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, speaks to the media during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday (23/5/2024).

Kittiratanapaibool stated that they have conducted 17 operations so far on passengers who have suffered injuries or wounds. Although the hospital doctors have good equipment to handle the type of injuries that occur, he said they have never found a case of injury caused by air turbulence.

Also read: Singapore Airlines SQ321 Undetected Turbulence

Among them are Malaysian citizens. The Malaysian ambassador to Thailand, Jojie Samuel, stated that five Malaysian citizens are undergoing treatment in the ICU. He mentioned that one of them is in critical condition.

"One person is in critical condition, but stable. They have suffered several injuries to the head, back, and legs. They are one of the crew members," said Jojie.

Passenger stories

Various reports regarding the situation inside the plane emerged moments after the plane landed in Bangkok.

"I fell to the floor, I didn't realize what was happening. My head must have hit something. Everyone was screaming on the plane. People were afraid," said Josh Silverstone, a 24-year-old British citizen who was on a vacation trip to Bali.

See also: Boeing Comments on Singapore Airlines SQ321 Aircraft Turbulence Incident

Turbulence is usually associated with large storms and severe weather. However, analysts warn of the danger of turbulence that could occur when the weather is clear. Wind shear can occur in thin cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms because differences in temperature and pressure create strong currents in the fast-moving air.

AFP/ROSLAN RAHMAN

A passenger of Singapore Airlines SQ321 who had to make an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday (21/5/2024), hugged their family after disembarking from the plane.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board's report in 2021, turbulence accounted for 37.6 percent of all accidents on major commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US civil aviation authority, stated that turbulence caused 146 people to suffer serious injuries from 2009 to 2021.

Tourism and aviation expert in London, Anita Mendiratta, said that severe turbulence is very unusual. She reminded passengers to ensure their carry-on items are placed securely in the overhead compartment.

"When turbulence occurs, these doors can open and all the items above, such as handbags, jackets, duty-free items, those items can shift and become a risk for all of us," said Mendiratta. (AP/AFP)