Summary
- Singapore Airlines will not serve hot drinks or meals when the seatbelt sign is on.
- The policy change follows the turbulence incident, which resulted in more than a dozen injuries and one fatality.
- Some passengers and crew members have remained in Bangkok, where the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER had diverted to following the incident.
Singapore Airlines is changing its seat belt policy for cabin services following the turbulence incident that resulted in more than a dozen injured passengers on a flight between London and Singapore. One passenger passed away during the event.
No hot drink and meal services
In a statement to Simple Flying, the carrier confirmed that it would suspend the service of hot drinks and meals when the seatbelt sign is on. Singapore Airlines added that its cabin crew members will continue advising passengers to remain in their seats with their seatbelts secured as part of a more cautious approach to managing in-flight turbulence.
“Pilots and cabin crew are aware of the hazards associated with turbulence. They are also trained to assist customers and ensure cabin safety throughout the flight.”
The Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)-based airline continued that crew members will continue securing loose items and equipment during poor weather conditions, while they will also return to their seats and secure their seatbelts if the sign is on. Singapore Airlines concluded that it would continue reviewing its processes to ensure the safety of its crew and passengers in the future.

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Singapore Airlines Turbulence Incident, Here’s What We Know
The one casualty was likely due to a heart attack.
Following a fatal turbulence incident
The changes came after a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, registered as SV-SWM, was involved in a turbulence event on flight SQ321 between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Following the incident, the aircraft diverted to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) on May 21.
Photo: Soos Jozsef | Shutterstock
In an immediate update on the incident, Singapore Airlines said that there were multiple injuries and one fatality onboard the 777-300ER, which was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members onboard. At the time, 18 individuals had been hospitalized, while an additional 12 were being treated in a hospital.
“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight.”

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Breaking: 1 Dead After Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 Hits Severe Turbulence
The flight diverted to Bangkok Airport following the incident.
Relief flight to Singapore
A day after the incident, Goh Choon Phong, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Singapore Airlines, issued a public statement detailing that the Boeing 777-300ER experienced extreme turbulence at 37,000 feet (11,277 meters), with the pilot declaring a medical emergency and diverting to BKK immediately after.
“On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone onboard SQ321 went through.”
Photo: Santi Rodriguez | Shutterstock
As of May 23, 20:30 local time (UTC +8), 65 passengers and two crew members were still in Bangkok, Thailand. This included 46 passengers and the pair of Singapore Airlines employees who were receiving treatment at a hospital, with the airline noting that it was in constant contact with the travelers and crew members.

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Doctors: 20 Remain In ICU With Severe Injuries From Singapore Airlines Turbulence Event
A total of 48 passengers and crew are still in hospital care following Monday’s turbulence event.