On June 11, 2024, Singapore Airlines announced that it would offer compensation to passengers who were injured during a turbulent flight on May 20, 2024. The incident occurred while the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was flying from London to Singapore and encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin. The plane dropped around 54 meters (178 feet) in less than five seconds, causing injuries among passengers and crew members.
The airline offered $10,000 compensation for minor injuries sustained during the incident. For those with more serious injuries requiring long-term medical care, Singapore Airlines invited them to discuss a compensation offer. The company also provided an advance payment of $25,000 to passengers who requested financial assistance.
The turbulence resulted in one passenger's death due to a suspected heart condition. Around 104 passengers were injured and some remained hospitalized in Bangkok for over two weeks. The incident caused the plane to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand.
Singapore Airlines refunded all tickets for the affected flight and offered delay compensation according to European Union or United Kingdom regulations. The airline also provided each passenger with $1,000 to cover immediate expenses upon departure from Bangkok.
The incident brought attention to seatbelt practices as airlines usually allow passengers to undo their belts during normal cruise conditions. However, experts advise passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened during turbulence for safety reasons.
Singapore Airlines has been cooperating with investigations by the Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau and other relevant authorities regarding the incident.
