Business class passenger caught smoking in SIA plane toilet during S'pore to Shanghai flight

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) business class passenger was taken away by the authorities after getting caught smoking on board the plane toilet of SQ836 flight from Singapore to Shanghai on Aug. 21

The incident was shared on Xiaohongshu.

Local authorities led the passenger away after the plane landed in China.

Smoking not allowed

A spokesperson for SIA told Mothership that the airline is aware of the incident involving a customer who smoked in a lavatory on board the plane on Friday.

"Smoking, including vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited on all SIA and Scoot flights. Customers who are caught smoking or vaping on board will be banned from travelling on Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights," the spokesperson said.

What social media post showed

According to a social media post, a cabin crew approached the business class passenger when the flight was about to land at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport.

The cabin crew was heard speaking in Mandarin.

The exchange lasted a few minutes and the passenger’s cigarettes were collected in a plastic bag.

An announcement was subsequently made to inform passengers to remain seated while authorities boarded the aircraft.

The other passengers were then told to disembark while the passenger who was caught smoking had to remain in the cabin.

Local police were seen waiting at the plane's exit.

Cigarette butts wrapped in a napkin were apparently handed over to the police.

The person who posted about the incident then confirmed with airport staff that a passenger was caught smoking in the plane’s toilet.