Video footage is going viral of a passenger abusing a Singapore Airlines crew. Perhaps the most shocking part of the story is the (lack of) punishment, though.
In this post:
Man assaults Singapore Airlines crew over… water?!
This incident happened on the Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Singapore Airlines flight SQ711 from Bangkok (BKK) to Singapore (SIN). In a video that has gone viral on TikTok and has been seen by millions of people, a man can be seen screaming at and threatening a crew member.
Specifically, the video was captured after the Airbus A350 landed, just prior to disembarking. The seatbelt sign was still on, but this traveler didn’t obey that, and got up anyway. A crew member standing between business class and premium economy asked the guy to return to his seat, but he refused.
In the video, you can see the man demanding water. When the flight attendant asks the traveler to cooperate and return to his seat, he responds “why you don’t give me f*cking water, you f*cking idiot?” He then repeatedly calls the flight attendant an “idiot,” and tells him to “f*ck off.” He then makes threats toward the flight attendant, saying “I’m going to push you over.”
Eventually the flight attendant does hand him water, to which he responds as follows:
“After two hours? Wow, thank you. Thank you so much. After two hours, I get water. Wow. That’s really great. Thank you so much.”
Keep in mind that the flight time between Bangkok and Singapore is right around two hours, so I think it goes without saying that this was an exaggeration, as Singapore Airlines has an extensive inflight service on this sector.
It would appear that the problem actually started during the flight, when the guy made multiple requests for alcohol, and was refused after the crew assessed his state of sobriety.
Denying him was obviously a good call, even if it was too late at that point. There are other videos on social media of the same passenger getting in arguments with other passengers and crew members during the flight, and even sitting on the floor of the plane.
You can see the video for yourself below.
This man was punished with a verbal warning
Here’s the surprising part, as noted by The Straits Times. People often joke that Singapore is a police state, and that you can get arrested for just about anything. Well, upon landing this passenger was escorted off the plane by police officers and was… given a verbal warning?!
Really? Look, in the United States I feel like flight attendants sometimes go on power trips, and love the authority to kick people off “their” plane if they don’t like the tone with which someone speaks to them. But this is the other extreme. This man verbally assaulted the crew member, refused to follow crew member instructions, and threatened physical violence.
There’s nothing about this guy’s behavior that makes me think he has any remorse. He presents an equal threat to passengers on the next flight he takes. We can just hope that he once again misbehaves after landing and not earlier, so that a diversion isn’t needed.
Singapore Airlines says in a statement that “the safety of our customers and staff is always our top priority.” I hear you, but then this guy should have been arrested for his behavior, and should have been blacklisted from Singapore Airlines in the future.
Bottom line
A passenger on Tuesday’s Singapore Airlines flight from Bangkok to Singapore verbally assaulted the crew, and threatened physical violence. While the passenger claims he had asked for water for two hours and was refused, in reality it seems that the crew refused to serve him alcohol.
For a country as strict as Singapore, it’s a bit surprising that this passenger only got a warning.
What do you make of this Singapore Airlines incident?
I am a regular Singapore Airlines customer. I fly with them often and have never seen such treatment from a passenger, or indeed any incident. I am ashamed of this person as I know full well that they were not refused water. The airline is very good at providing what you need. They are world class and offer a service that is equivalent to their higher price they charge. I agree that he should have...
I am a regular Singapore Airlines customer. I fly with them often and have never seen such treatment from a passenger, or indeed any incident. I am ashamed of this person as I know full well that they were not refused water. The airline is very good at providing what you need. They are world class and offer a service that is equivalent to their higher price they charge. I agree that he should have been arrested on arrival and that it should (I couldn’t hear) have been pointed out to him that this could happen if he didn’t go back to his seat and stop his abuse. But always remember that a flight attendant is not sometimes ready for this and cannot handle it in the moment. I could not hear the attendant, but I do know that they know that it is best to defuse a situation at all costs. Singapore Airlines is good at this. I feel that the passenger had calculated that he could get away with his provocation. I am sure that the passenger knows that if he does this again he will be banned on SIA. The warning may have been enough and could have included a blanket ban. Being arrested is not always the best route to take, as the police are not necessarily best at solving this issue. We don’t know.
What a surprise indeed. It only gives the impression that this passenger was let off lightly. And he must be chuckling to himself what an idiotic Singapore Airlines is.
I, being an ex Singapore Airlines staff, am always proud to proclaim that. But this particular incident would definitely dampen the morale of the cabin crew. What’s more, if they encounter a similar incident of sort, what will the cabin crew think or feel?
The...
What a surprise indeed. It only gives the impression that this passenger was let off lightly. And he must be chuckling to himself what an idiotic Singapore Airlines is.
I, being an ex Singapore Airlines staff, am always proud to proclaim that. But this particular incident would definitely dampen the morale of the cabin crew. What’s more, if they encounter a similar incident of sort, what will the cabin crew think or feel?
The standpoint here is, though we face competition these days, we must still uphold the quality standard of a “World Class” as the latest media broadcast to the world. Meaning, if passengers are prepared to pay a higher fare compared to other airlines, it does mean they can take full advantage and demand what they think they paid for in return. It means, we are a world class branded carrier and cater to passengers who understand and respect the culture of our carrier. Going forward, the inflight service has to maintain at its best.
More importantly, the local police authority must exercise their assertion and discernment to handle each case. As of the recent case, it was poorly handled and definitely an oversight not felt by the police because they were not the ones facing the situation first hand.
The lousy “Ang Moh” passenger should be charged and given a written warning and be barred from boarding Singapore Airlines for 2 years. Let this idiot “Chow Ang Moh” experience the inflight of other airline carriers to see if he dares to do the same. That said, it’s time to show to the world we mean business here, and, “World Class” standard means respecting and compliance with inflight service and onboard inflight discipline expected, in order to allow other passengers to enjoy a hassle free pleasant inflight service on Singapore Airlines.
HE was Canadian...Canadians are the #1 sexpat tourists that come to thailand to have relations with little boys
Just another arrogant American who feels 1000% entitled for everything…..
There are many more normal polite Americans, but this is just a typical category…
Singapore has becoming weak due to western liberals ideas as more and more people are voting against PAP. If LKY is still here, the dude would get public caning. At least 6 strokes. It would be awesome. Long live PAP and CPC.
Singapore is a law and order state, not a "police" state. There is a huge difference.
JohnRossa = full blown racist!!
It seems from the video the plane had already stopped. In fact what is forgotten is they actually give in to his behavior. Not just about the warning being a low punishment, but also they let him off first. So, what does this show.... The police should have escorted him back to his seat and have him be the last one off the plane. It is not the proper way to be the first one...
It seems from the video the plane had already stopped. In fact what is forgotten is they actually give in to his behavior. Not just about the warning being a low punishment, but also they let him off first. So, what does this show.... The police should have escorted him back to his seat and have him be the last one off the plane. It is not the proper way to be the first one off but he was. To commend the flight attendant he remained calm and did not fight back. Sometimes in the situations in the US, the flight attendants escalate situation.
Sounds and looks like Mad TV character Stuart Larkin, played by Californian Michael McDonald.
Wat???? He looks like whiny Gary Busey.
I would have like to see him jailed!
As a white Australian,I am very disappointed in the justice system of Singapore,that I have always admired. Letting this overgrown American wanker get away with this, gives a green light for over others to repeat .
He's Danish not American, genius.
In other videos, he appears to be Asian with bleached hair. From the videos here, the high cheekbones point to an Asian person or person of Asian descent ...or perhaps mixed heritage. But why jump on the race issue? This person is clearly under the influence of something and is a real jerk. Race has nothing to do with it. If anything, it's more of an entitlement and social class issue.
Don't get me wrong... I agree with the comments that this guy should have been reprimanded more severely.
BUT.... Flight attendants in the USA totally abuse their authority and no one (not even the captain) will intervene to see if a passenger is being treated fairly, particularly if the plane is stilll on the ground. There is usually no recourse on the part of the passenger as US carrier management seem to be intimated by the Flight Attendant unions.
What an obnoxious tool. Thanks for representing America so well on your trip to Asia, "AUGWA WATER." =(
This person presents like an emotionally disturbed or cognitively limited individual based on his behavior on the tape. If that were the case, does that change anyone’s view? I understand that his behavior is unacceptable and some kind of firm consequences are in order. A one-size-fits-all approach is not the answer. Just my 2 cents based on the video.
It's called de-escalation, something many American flight crews and few law enforcement never understands.
For the punishment. An authoritarian police state regime doesn't mean police are (ab)using their maximum power for petty crimes. The man did get escorted by police right? Doesn't mean the police need to drag him off the plane and jail him for 8 years as a political pawn.
De-escalation, a concept even @Lucky is still confused.
Yeah well, light "descalation" teaches this dude to repeat his behavior with even greater certainty that he'll get away with it. It's like teaching your child who just threw a rock at your window because he didn't get his soda and you tell him ok sweetie now you get a 2 minute time out.
@Bob
You're right, they deserve punishment and be taught a lesson.
Just like the lessons we taught Michael Brown, George Floyed, Eric Garner, or David Dao.
I hope you jail your child so he can prepare for juvie for even the slightest things.
Since you as parent can't even tell the difference. You compare it to throwing rocks, yet this dude didn't even get physical a single time.
My only hope is you...
@Bob
You're right, they deserve punishment and be taught a lesson.
Just like the lessons we taught Michael Brown, George Floyed, Eric Garner, or David Dao.
I hope you jail your child so he can prepare for juvie for even the slightest things.
Since you as parent can't even tell the difference. You compare it to throwing rocks, yet this dude didn't even get physical a single time.
My only hope is you are not a in law enforcement, or customer facing roles. And I feel sorry for your children.
If I were the steward, I would have attacked him in cold blood myself. Wtf is going on here???? Typical Asian culture of the customer is always right?
Make Asia Great Again
What an asshole!
Ahh, just the usual piece of turd white trash that you see travelling in Asia who feels "superior" to the smaller-built Asians. I've had run-ins with these uneducated inbreds over there and it's amazing how quickly a knee to the crotch or an elbow to the nose will bring them down to earth. Good times!
This farang probably contracted STD in either Pattaya or Silom, maybe that explains his erratic behavior. Kee Nok.
What a dirt bag. I did this flight in October and the meal service was great,as were the cabin crew. Self entitled scum like that need to stay home.
I think the power tripping in US Crews are mostly due to the broad authority given to them which is certainly not the case in most airlines abroad.
Just like this situation, it is the extremes of two. You have US where FAs have huge authority over operation decisions, and then you have SQ where you are limited on your actions and it is usually only the airline who take actions on the Crew’s behalf...
I think the power tripping in US Crews are mostly due to the broad authority given to them which is certainly not the case in most airlines abroad.
Just like this situation, it is the extremes of two. You have US where FAs have huge authority over operation decisions, and then you have SQ where you are limited on your actions and it is usually only the airline who take actions on the Crew’s behalf
In my opinion, there should be an Regulator enforced middle ground between the two extremes so that you don’t end up with a crew power tripping because they don’t Kylie a certain pax or a crew who are unable to do anything unless they file a complaint with their airline or ground management.
I do think the pax should have been banned from SQ for a certain period but there wasn’t any physical altercations where any judicial actions where needed. SQ probably just took the easy way out and not bothered much with the incident
He looks like Gary Busey.
He must be Canadian. Canadians are *so• rude. :)
Why not American??
Oh, I have no doubt he's American.
I was merely trying to deflect the embarrassment over his behavior to the exceedingly polite US neighbor to the north, thus my use of the smiley face.
You were a little too subtle for Edgar, Willy. :-) He's clearly not the sharpest!
In my experience, Toronto Canadians are ruder than any American.
TravelinWilly is quite smart. The passenger is actually Danish not American. I hope you get AIDS and die, Willy.
Their passport should be pulled upon return to the US of this is a US citizen. I assume the FA didn’t respond more harshly because FAs don’t have the same workers protections as FAs working for American and European carriers. There’s an FA on Instagram who claimed this was a reason why they switched to LH from a Japanese airline.
Japanese FAs will do everything (including nothing) to avoid confrontation with a passenger.
Don’t be surprised if he’ll be awarded a medal. That’s USA
This idiot should never be allowed to fly again!
It’s typical Asian culture. They will let him fly again because the customer is always right according to their views.