HK Express reportedly apologises after passenger suffers burns and verbal abuse during flight

HK Express has reportedly apologised after a passenger was burned by hot water on a flight, following a disturbance involving a child jumping in the seat in front of him and insults from the child's parent.

A spokesperson from HK Express told media report Sing Tao Headline that its investigation revealed that a minor passenger on the flight reportedly jumped on the seat, causing a cup of noodles belonging to a passenger in the row behind to spill, and the passenger was scalded by the hot liquid, leading to a dispute.

During the incident, the Hong Kong Express crew mediated and dissuaded the situation, arranged the injured passenger to move to a seat in the back row and treated his wounds. They later confirmed he did not need hospitalisation.

HK Express has apologised to the passengers affected by the incident, stating that the safety and rights of every customer are its top priority and it will not tolerate any disruptive behaviour on board.

This comes as a man shared on the Facebook group “HK Express 香港快運及旅行資訊關注組” that, during his HK Express flight from Phu Quoc to Hong Kong, he was scalded by hot water when a child in the seat in front of him repeatedly jumped on the seat. He claimed that when he reprimanded the child, the child's mother responded with abusive language, calling him "crazy".

Among the three videos the man posted, one contains footage of the child's mother cursing at him, saying "crazy!". The video also shows a flight attendant tapping the mother's shoulder, seemingly attempting to mediate. In another video, the child's mother can be seen telling the man to shut up. The man explained that the child's mother was yelling at his own mother at that time.

The man also attached a photo showing his left hand wrapped in gauze and iced, claiming that his hand became red and swollen. He also criticised the child’s mother for her offensive words, arguing that she should have prioritised managing her child's disruptive actions.

His post has received over 250 reactions and 280 comments, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE confirmed. Some netizens suggested he contact the police, while others criticised the parent for failing to control her child.

The man later appeared on the TVB's programme "Scoop" (東張西望), where he said that the child's constant jumping caused his laptop to fall multiple times before the plane took off. The child resumed jumping after he ordered a cup of instant noodles, which resulted in hot water spilling onto his hand. He further alleged that the child's father then became involved, and both parents engaged in a verbal altercation, directing insulted at him.

The man added that he was eventually arranged to sit in the last row of the aircraft, where crew members helped him treat his injury. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to HK Express for a statement. 

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