Family Assaults Woman After Flight Seat Complaints in China

A woman was assaulted by a family during a flight from Shenzhen to Dalian on August 7, 2023, after she complained about a child repeatedly kicking her chair. The incident occurred on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6164, leading to calls for police intervention as the situation escalated.

Footage of the altercation shows the woman expressing her frustration over the child’s behavior, which persisted despite her multiple requests for the family to manage the situation. Witnesses reported that the child not only kicked her seat but also bumped into her in the aisle, causing her headphones to fall to the ground. In response to her complaints, family members surrounded her, arguing that she should be more understanding because “he’s just a child.”

As the confrontation intensified, the woman shouted for police assistance, exclaiming “you’re going too far” as she was reportedly shoved to the ground. A member of the child’s family was heard insisting on the need for empathy, while the boy’s father reportedly pushed the woman and his mother shouted at her. The child’s older sister became involved, pulling the woman’s hair during the incident.

Other passengers and crew attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, but they were reportedly pushed aside. The woman remained on the floor with her belongings as the altercation continued. Both Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport and China Southern Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that crew members onboard worked to manage the conflict. The Dalian Airport Public Security Bureau is currently investigating the matter.

This incident follows another recent disturbance on a flight in the United States, where a man was accused of attacking fellow passengers with a belt during an in-flight incident. Breeze Airways Flight MX704, traveling from Norfolk, Virginia, to Los Angeles, was diverted to Grand Junction Regional Airport due to the chaos. The man allegedly shouted racial slurs while waving a skateboard and striking passengers before being subdued by fellow travelers. He was later taken into custody by the FBI.

As air travel continues to return to pre-pandemic levels, incidents of in-flight violence and disturbances are raising concerns among airlines and passengers alike.