A passenger choked on a fish bone in a Hainan Airlines salmon salad on an Auckland-Shenzhen flight. The airline offered 1000 yuan compensation, but the passenger seeks a formal apology and questions catering safety standards.
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Source: OT-Team(G), 红星新闻
A passenger has filed complaints against Hainan Airlines after allegedly choking on a fish bone contained in an in-flight meal during an international flight, an incident that has sparked debate over aviation catering safety standards and airline responsibility.
"I was extremely frightened at the time — I felt like I might not make it off the plane," the passenger, surnamed Chen, said in an interview with local media.
Mid-air incident during Auckland–Shenzhen flight
According to Chen, the incident occurred on the evening of February 2 aboard flight HU7932 from Auckland to Shenzhen after he had completed a trip to New Zealand. Shortly after takeoff, cabin crew began serving meals.
"When I took a bite, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my throat, as if something pointed had pierced it," he said. Believing the object to be lodged inside, he tried unsuccessfully to cough it out and sought assistance from flight attendants.
Chen believes the fish bone came from a salmon salad included in the meal. He said crew members were unable to remove the obstruction, leaving him to rely on repeated coughing and retching.
"The following minutes felt endless. Every dry heave made my throat hurt more, like countless needles stabbing," he said.
After roughly 10 to 20 minutes, he finally expelled the fish bone himself. Photos he later provided suggest the bone was roughly the length of the stem of a wireless earbud. With several hours of flight time still remaining, Chen said he feared serious consequences if the situation worsened.
Passenger questions catering safety standards
Chen argues that airline catering generally avoids ingredients such as bones or fish bones because they may pose choking or injury risks to passengers. He later contacted the airline, which informed him that the meal had been supplied by an overseas third-party catering company and that fish bones should not have been present.
The airline offered compensation of 1,000 yuan (about US$140), which Chen declined.
Public information previously released by the airline about its catering procedures states that ingredients containing bones, sharp fragments, or other safety risks should be avoided or minimized. However, customer service representatives contacted by reporters said they could not clarify specific rules regarding fish bones in meals.
Dispute over compensation and apology
Chen said the compensation offer did not adequately reflect the risks involved, noting that emergency medical response options are limited during flights. He also requested details of communication between the airline and the catering provider, a formal apology, and compensation totaling 18,000 yuan. He later stated that his primary demand is now an apology rather than financial payment.
He reported the incident to a local government hotline and underwent a psychiatric evaluation on February 11, spending more than 300 yuan. A self-assessment report indicated moderate psychological distress following the experience.
According to a response relayed through the hotline, the airline said it had apologized by phone on February 12 but declined to issue a written apology or disclose internal coordination with the catering supplier. The company maintained its 1,000-yuan compensation proposal and said reimbursement for medical expenses would depend on insurance assessment results. The insurer later declined coverage for the psychological consultation.
When contacted again, airline staff stated that the matter was being handled by a designated representative and that details of negotiations were confidential. In a recorded follow-up call provided by Chen, a staff member acknowledged that fish bones should not appear in aircraft meals but reiterated the existing compensation plan.
Legal experts: potential food safety and liability issues
The case has drawn mixed reactions online. Some commenters argued the incident was an unfortunate accident, while others said strict food safety standards are essential given the limited medical resources available at cruising altitude.
Legal experts interviewed by media said the presence of a fish bone in airline catering could constitute a food safety hazard. Under China's Civil Code, Civil Aviation Law, and Food Safety Law, airlines bear a duty to ensure passenger safety throughout transportation and related services.
If Chen's account is accurate, lawyers said, the airline could face both contractual liability and tort liability, particularly if the crew was unable to provide effective assistance. Even when meals are supplied by third-party contractors, airlines remain directly responsible to passengers and may later seek compensation from the supplier.
Lawyers added that requests for disclosure of investigation results, a formal apology, and reimbursement of actual medical expenses have legal grounding. However, compensation claims significantly exceeding demonstrable losses may be reduced by courts unless lasting injury or serious consequences are proven.
They also emphasized that airlines should provide humane care following such incidents, including clear communication and apologies when passengers experience physical distress caused by service failures.
A passenger had to fight a fish bone mid-flight with little help — how do you feel about airlines' responsibility in such cases? Tell us your opinion!