Inelegant descents.
An AirAsia flight experienced a rather unpleasant episode that required thorough disinfection and cleaning. Reports allege that a female traveler relieved herself while seated during the journey from Malaysia to China. The incident sparked a lively debate among passengers on Chinese social media.
According to VN Express International, flight AK1516 left Kota Kinabalu airport at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 18, with plans to land in Shanghai around 3 a.m. the next day.
As the aircraft prepared to land, about 40 minutes from its destination, a pervasive odor spread through the cabin, as reported by Asia One. The intensity of the smell was such that it roused many passengers from their slumber.
Witnesses on the flight, including one identified by the surname Zhao, pinpointed the source of the smell to a woman in her 40s positioned between two boys, as detailed by local news sources.
“It was just before 2 a.m. and we were all asleep,” he recalled. “She hurried toward the toilet carrying a bag.”
Passengers initially assumed she was going to vomit but the “strange smell” indicated was not the case.
That’s when they noticed fecal matter splattered on the aisle rug and on the woman’s seat. When confronted by angry passengers, she said was feeling unwell.
However, they found this explanation bizarre given that the lavatory was less than 15 feet away and had not yet been shuttered for landing.
A crew member wiped the area with tissues and sprayed air freshener, but it did nothing to mask the scent.
As a result, passengers were forced to sit in the smell for an excruciating 40 minutes, which was exacerbated by the fact that they’d switched off the air conditioning for landing.
In a statement, AirAsia reps said they flagged the malodorous situation to the Captain and ground crews, who boarded and disinfected the area after the passengers had deplaned.
Crew members operating the return flight were also made aware of the condition of the cabin.
AirAsia China general manager Frank Tang Ting praised the crew members for their “professionalism, composure and rapid response” to the revolting ordeal, claiming that they “remained focused on ensuring passenger safety” despite the less-than-ideal circumstances.
“Passenger safety and well-being are our top priority,” he added. “We appreciate the passengers’ understanding in the face of this unexpected situation.”