Chinese couple booted off plane for refusing to leave toilet
A couple from China and their infant were booted off a Dragonair flight from Hong Kong to Beijing after they refused to leave the toilet and return to their seats.
The incident happened on Saturday at 3pm during take-off and the flight was delayed by two-and-a-half hours, reported The Star.
An airline spokesman said the woman, 33, was cleaning her one-year-old son in the toilet sink after he had defecated, but did not close the door.
A foul smell permeated through the aircraft cabin, drawing complaints from other passengers.
At that time, flight KA902 was preparing to take off from Chek Lap Kok airport and the 'fasten seatbelt' sign was in effect, reported th South China Morning Post.
Refused to leave plane
The couple refused to return to their seats when approached by crew members and continued cleaning their child.
The in-flight service manager then alerted the flight captain, who subsequently asked the family to disembark from the plane at 4.30pm on the grounds of maintaining cabin hygiene, the interest of other passengers and the physical condition of the boy.
The family refused to leave and airline staff called police for assistance at about 4.55pm.
The trio got off the flight when authorities stepped in, and the flight took off at 5.40pm.
The spokesman said no arrests were made and the family was put on another Dragonair flight later in the day, reported the South China Morning Post.
Sources: The Star, The Straits Times
Related report:
Chinese couple booted off Hong Kong flight after son, 3, refused to buckle up
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now