HONG KONG- A Cathay Pacific (CX) flight attendant mistakenly served wine to a 3 year old child on a Hong Kong (HKG) to London (LHR) flight, sparking parental outrage. The airline’s response, including refunds and vouchers, has failed to satisfy the family.
The incident on flight CX255 has raised questions about crew training and airline accountability. The child’s mother demands stronger safeguards and a detailed explanation.
Cathay Pacific Serves Wine to Child
On April 24, 2025, a Cathay Pacific (CX) business class flight attendant on flight CX255 from Hong Kong (HKG) to London (LHR) served a glass of white wine to a 3 year old child instead of water.
The child, seated with his parents, took a sip and complained the drink was “sour.” His mother, surnamed Wong, tasted it, identified it as alcohol, and immediately alerted the crew.
The flight attendant apologized, replaced the wine with water, and informed the purser.
The cockpit contacted Medlink for medical advice, and a French doctor onboard reassured the family that one sip posed no immediate harm, citing cultural norms in France where young children sometimes consume small amounts of alcohol.
Despite no immediate symptoms, Wong expressed deep concern about potential long-term health effects, including neurological or developmental issues.
Wong shared her experience on RedNote, a Chinese social media platform, criticizing Cathay Pacific’s handling of the incident.
She argued the airline failed to provide a thorough explanation, merely attributing the error to a flight attendant’s mistake.
Wong demanded concrete evidence of new safeguards and a direct apology from the involved crew member.
Her dissatisfaction prompted formal complaints to Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, Consumer Council, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Cathay Pacific’s Response
Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) issued a formal apology and offered the following compensation:
- A full refund for the child’s ticket
- Three upgrade vouchers to first class
- Reimbursement for medical costs
In addition, the airline claimed it is reinforcing flight attendant training to prevent similar service errors.
Despite this, the mother voiced dissatisfaction, arguing that the response lacked transparency and accountability. She specifically demanded:
- A personal apology from the flight attendant involved
- Proof of revised training and safeguards
- A more detailed explanation of how the error occurred
She criticized the explanation, merely stating “the flight attendant made a mistake”—as inadequate and unprofessional.
Regulatory Complaints
The mother has filed formal complaints with the following agencies:
- Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department
- Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office
- Hong Kong Consumer Council
- UK Civil Aviation Authority
Online cabin crew forums have since discussed the incident, suggesting that rushed hiring and training practices due to post-pandemic staff shortages may be contributing to such lapses.
Some airline employees indicated that insufficiently trained crew members may fail to properly label or manage beverage services, resulting in errors like this.
Broader Implications
This incident underscores a broader concern over declining service standards across the industry.
With global carriers scaling operations rapidly, especially after pandemic-related layoffs, many are facing challenges in training new hires adequately.
Aviation safety and customer trust hinge on rigorous protocol adherence, especially in premium cabins where expectations are higher.
Cathay Pacific now finds itself under scrutiny not just for a singular mistake but for systemic issues related to crew preparedness and passenger safety.
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