A Singapore Airlines (SIA) passenger was taken away by Chinese authorities after being caught smoking in an aircraft toilet on a flight from Singapore to Shanghai.
The incident happened on flight SQ836 on 21 August 2026. Mothership reported on 28 August that the passenger was travelling in business class.
SIA has confirmed that a customer smoked in a lavatory on the flight.
Passenger Was Confronted Before Landing
The incident first surfaced through a Xiaohongshu video posted by travel content creator “Richard老师去哪里”.
According to reports by Lianhe Zaobao and Chinese media, the poster said he noticed a strong smell about an hour before the aircraft landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. He later learnt that another passenger had been smoking in the toilet.
Cabin crew then approached the passenger.
Zaobao reported that crew members asked the passenger to hand over his cigarettes and lighter. The passenger initially did not cooperate, but eventually complied.
Chinese reports said the remaining cigarettes were placed in a transparent bag.
Mothership reported that the exchange with the passenger lasted several minutes and that cabin crew were heard speaking to him in Mandarin.
Police Were Waiting At Pudong
Before the aircraft landed, the crew contacted authorities at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, according to Zaobao.
After touchdown, passengers were asked to remain seated while authorities came onboard. The other passengers were eventually allowed to leave, while the passenger who had smoked remained in the cabin.
Police officers could be seen waiting near the aircraft exit.
Shanghai News Radio, in a report republished by Guangming Online, said the Xiaohongshu poster saw officers holding two cigarette butts that had been wrapped in transparent packaging.
The passenger was subsequently taken away by the authorities for further investigation.
There has been no suggestion from SIA that the incident affected the aircraft’s ability to complete the flight.
SIA Says Offenders Will Be Banned
SIA told media outlets that smoking is strictly prohibited on all SIA and Scoot flights. The prohibition also covers vaping and the use of e-cigarettes.
More importantly for anyone who somehow still thinks an aircraft toilet is a smoking corner, SIA said customers caught smoking or vaping onboard will be banned from travelling on both Singapore Airlines and Scoot.
That applies regardless of which cabin you paid to sit in.
