Flight attendants served a three-year-old boy sitting in business class wine instead of water on Cathay Pacific flight 255 from Hong Kong to London a couple of weeks ago. The child’s mother complained online after she found the airline’s response insufficient, and sharing concerns about her child’s long-term health from drinking alcohol so young. But the boy took only one sip, complaining to his mother that it was “too sour.”
His mom tasted the drink, realized it was wine, and flag down cabin crew – who immediately apologized, took the glass and brought back actual water. The woman escalated this to the purser, and the cockpit got Medlink involved for advice. They also sought passengers onboard with medical training, and a French doctor consulted – who said, look, five year old kids in France drink all the time and one sip is no big deal.
The boy has shown no immediate symptoms, but Wong and her husband are currently arranging comprehensive medical assessments with pediatric specialists seeking one who will support a claim for delayed neurological, developmental, and physiological effects.
Credit: Mother’s Post on RedNote
After the flight Cathay Pacific apologized and offered:
- a refund of the child’s ticket
- three upgrade vouchers to move to first class
- reimbursement for medical treatment
They also insist that they’re reinforcing crew training to prevent similar incidents in the future. However the mother is still not satisfied, claiming that the carrier should provide more of an explanation for how such a mistake happened (‘the flight attendant made a mistake’?) and accuses them of attempting to avoid responsibility. She feels that:
- the flight attendant should be following up directly to apologize
- the airline should provide concrete proof that new safeguards have been implemented
Credit: Mother’s Post on RedNote
As a result, she has filed formal complaints with Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office, the Consumer Council, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Meanwhile, cabin crew forums discussing the issue argue that declining service standards and insufficient training for new flight attendants rapidly hired to support the carrier’s expansion are likely to blame. In this case, properly-trained crew might have marked the beverage to avoid delivering the wrong drink to the wrong passenger.
That mum can really f off, i would compensate them with reasonable level then ban them flying from my airline forever
Our dogs drink more alcohol than this kid did by knocking over our wine or beers occasionally!
Put them on the no fly list. Accidents happen and this kid is not the first to taste (not drink) alcohol. Airline should put them on notice they will ignore all requests for medical testing and evaluations.
Mistakes like this should not have been made. Common sense tells a person not to serve a three year old any alcoholic beverages … come on crew … get it together.
Another bunch of ambulance chasers trying to extract cash for a minor mistake
Just another example of overreacting, entitled helicopter parents out to make a statement in their boring ordinary lives. Oh and probably out to increase their existing wealth by expecting compensation.
Monitor to make sure the flight attendant is not fired by the airline. Put the family on a no fly list, they are in humane humans.
Money grab by the parents
Something very wong about this story!
They, the parents, found their opportunity to make some good money and nothing will stop them until the price is right.
I grew up in a country where children drink alcohol with parental permission. Like on Passover.
This is just extortion. Cathay screwed up but offered to fix it. The wongs are nuts for wanting more.
Also having read other comments no Cathay doesn’t need to show or prove anything. The FA made a mistake. It was fixed. Patents got a generous offer.
Enough whining. Nobody was hurt. Parents won.