A Singapore Airlines business class passenger was taken off the aircraft by Chinese authorities after being caught smoking in a lavatory on a flight from Singapore to Shanghai.
The incident happened on SQ836 on 21 August 2026. A Xiaohongshu post later showed cabin crew confronting the passenger as the plane prepared to land at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Mothership reported the case in English on 28 August, after SIA confirmed it.
Cigarettes In A Plastic Bag
In the clip, a crew member is heard speaking in Mandarin to the business class passenger near landing. The exchange lasted a few minutes. The passenger’s cigarettes were collected in a plastic bag.
An announcement then told passengers to remain seated while authorities boarded. Other passengers were told to disembark. The person who had been smoking had to stay in the cabin.
Local police were seen waiting at the aircraft door. Cigarette butts wrapped in a napkin were handed over. The poster later checked with airport staff, who confirmed a passenger had been caught smoking in the plane’s toilet.
Banned From SIA And Scoot
An SIA spokesperson told Mothership the airline was aware of a customer who smoked in a lavatory on Friday.
“Smoking, including vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited on all SIA and Scoot flights. Customers who are caught smoking or vaping on board will be banned from travelling on Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights,” the spokesperson said.
If you paid business class money to light up in a metal tube at 30,000 feet, the police at the jet bridge are not an upgrade. They are the bill.
