A Cathay Pacific business class passenger’s 3-year-old son was accidentally served white wine instead of water, prompting a wave of parental outrage and triggering a high-profile internal review by the airline.
At a Glance
- 3-year-old boy served wine instead of water on Flight CX255 from Hong Kong to London
- Incident occurred on April 24, 2025, in business class
- Cathay Pacific issued a formal apology and refunded the child’s ticket
- Parents remain unsatisfied, citing poor accountability and long-term safety concerns
- The airline launched an internal review and updated crew protocols
A Shocking Mix-Up Mid-Flight
According to Business Insider, the child was mistakenly given a glass of white wine during Cathay Pacific Flight CX255. He took a sip expecting water, but immediately grimaced from the unexpected taste. His father confirmed it was wine and alerted the crew. A French doctor on board evaluated the child and found no immediate symptoms.
Despite replacing the drink and monitoring the boy, the flight crew’s initial handling sparked frustration from his mother, Ms. Wong. She said the cabin crew failed to show adequate concern: “During the whole process, there was a lack of care for my son.”
Airline Responds, But Parents Unsatisfied
Cathay Pacific issued a formal apology, refunded the child’s ticket, and offered three one-class upgrade vouchers to the family. They also pledged to cover any medical costs associated with the incident. In a statement shared with the South China Morning Post, the airline said it had reinforced crew training and launched an internal review to prevent future errors.
Still, Ms. Wong criticized the response, calling it inadequate: “They gave me the impression that they were trying to shirk responsibility.” She filed complaints with both Hong Kong and UK aviation authorities and demanded evidence of meaningful reforms.
Safety and Reputation on the Line
The incident has raised serious concerns over how leading airlines handle child safety. As The Straits Times reported, a friend of the family, Mr. Tsui, remarked, “If a flagship Asian carrier can miss such basic safeguards in business class, every traveling family is at risk.”
Ms. Wong stressed the risk of delayed neurological or developmental effects, noting: “Alcohol consumption in young children can have delayed impacts that may not manifest immediately.”
Broader Industry Implications
Though Cathay has moved quickly to contain the fallout, this incident has become a public test of its service standards and commitment to customer safety. Many now watch whether Cathay’s promises of reform will translate into improved onboard practices industry-wide.
As airlines return to full capacity in the post-pandemic era, the pressure to rebuild passenger trust remains high. In this case, the spotlight is on Cathay Pacific to prove that this high-profile misstep leads to real change.
