Thai Airways docks cabin crew’s salary over meal tray gate

UPDATE

Thai Airways is formally punishing cabin crew for not collecting meal trays from some passengers before landing on a Singapore – Bangkok flight after a viral TikTok exposed the cabin crew’s mishap.

Yesterday, the airline’s PR team said…

“Thai Airways International would like to announce the results of our investigation into the case of cabin crew not storing away meal trays before landing on a Singapore – Bangkok flight. The investigation found that the cabin crew neglected their duties.

“Therefore, we will punish those responsible for this incident according to company procedures – by docking their salary and suspending them from flying for one month.

“THAI also punished both the flight manager and cabin crew with a written warning stating that everyone involved is required to attend intensive safety training courses immediately before the company allows them to continue their duties.

“The company would like to apologise for the incident and assure all passengers that the company holds passenger safety to the utmost importance, including undertaking all flight operations in according with the highest safety standards.”

ORIGINAL STORY: Thai Airways cabin crew forgets to collect meal trays before landing on Singapore-Bangkok flight

Thai Airways is ‘”urgently investigating” why cabin crew failed to collect meal trays on a Singapore – Bangkok flight before landing on the runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport after an irked passenger recorded the incident on TikTok.

TikTok user Praewa Nang Mana (@Praewa_panicha) posted a clip of food trays sitting on the foldable tables of three seats. As the plane lands, a water bottle is pictured falling to the ground.

In the clip, Praewa asks…

“Why didn’t they collect our plates?”

Praewa later explained that the incident happened on a Thai Airways flight from Singapore. Praewa and her two friends were surprised to hear the pilot say “cabin crew prepare for landing” with the food trays still on their laps.

She said she rang the assistance bell but no one came to help.

Passengers were told to fasten their seat belts for landing. However, Praewa and her friends said they couldn’t adjust their seat belts properly without folding the tables away.

Finally, the trays were removed as other passengers retrieved their luggage from the overhead lockers after Praewa got out of her seat and found a member of the cabin crew after the plane drew to a halt.

The Thai Airways cabin crew’s actions directly violate the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s regulations…

“No operator may move an aircraft on the surface, take off, or land when any food, beverage, or tableware furnished by the operator is located at any passenger seat.

“No operator may move an aircraft on the surface, take off, or land unless each food and beverage tray and seat back tray table is secured in its stowed position.”

Thai flag carrier Thai Airways released a statement on Facebook…

“In relation to the clip that the cabin crew failed to collect trays before landing, Thai Airways Ltd is aware and will not be complacent in investigating this incident that may have occurred due to many reasons. We are urgently investigating to find out the facts.

“Thai Airways would like to stress that the company holds the safety of passengers to the utmost importance. Cabin crew has a checklist to ensure the orderliness of the cabin prior to take off and landing and must work according to international aviation safety standards.”

The flight time between Singapore and Bangkok is two hours and 25 minutes.

@praewa_panicha เมื่อแอร์ไม่มาเก็บจานให้ตอนแลนดิ้ง🥺 #รีวิวเที่ยว #สายการบิน ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – แพรวานางฟ้ามานา