On Might 21, 2024, a Singapore Airways Boeing 777-300ER encountered extreme turbulence whereas enroute from London (LHR) to Singapore (SIN), on flight SQ321. The turbulence was so dangerous that dozens of individuals suffered critical accidents, and there was even one fatality (reportedly from a coronary heart assault). The jet diverted to Bangkok (BKK), the place many passengers had been hospitalized.
Just a few weeks after the incident, the airline has now revealed the way it intends to compensate passengers who had been on this flight.
How Singapore Airways is compensating SQ321 passengers
On June 10, 2024, Singapore Airways despatched out compensation affords to the passengers who had been on the flight that encountered extreme turbulence. Along with apologizing for the traumatic expertise, right here’s the supply that Singapore Airways has made to passengers:
For passengers who sustained minor accidents from the incident, we’ve provided US$10,000 in compensation.
For individuals who sustained extra critical accidents from the incident, we’ve invited them to debate a compensation supply to fulfill every of their particular circumstances once they really feel effectively and prepared to take action. Passengers medically assessed as having sustained critical accidents, requiring long-term medical care, and requesting monetary help are provided an advance cost of US$25,000 to handle their fast wants. This might be a part of the ultimate compensation that these passengers will obtain.
Along with the above, SIA will present a full refund of the air fare to all passengers travelling on SQ321 on 20 Might 2024, together with those that didn’t undergo any accidents. All passengers may also obtain delay compensation in accordance with the related European Union or United Kingdom laws.
We offered all passengers with S$1,000 every to fulfill their fast bills upon departure from Bangkok. SIA has additionally been protecting the medical bills of the injured passengers, and organized for his or her members of the family and family members to fly as much as Bangkok the place requested.
Singapore Airways has dealt with this case very effectively
I feel Singapore Airways ought to be counseled for the way it has dealt with this case. For one, the airline has completed an incredible job speaking transparently. The corporate’s CEO revealed a video message shortly after the incident, and the airline has offered fixed updates to the general public over the course of the previous few weeks.
Many airways attempt to sweep conditions like this below the rug, whereas Singapore Airways has prioritized transparency, and I feel that’s nice.
So far as the compensation supply to passengers goes, Singapore Airways’ supply appears honest to me. I suppose we don’t know the way “minor accidents” are outlined, although there’s clearly room to barter right here, as that is merely a suggestion.
Compensation in conditions like that is regulated by the Montreal Conference, which makes airways liable for nearly all accidents incurred throughout journey, until it may be confirmed that one thing was resulting from a passenger’s negligence. With the Montreal Conference, airways are accountable for a most compensation of round $175,000 per particular person.
Now, I’m no lawyer (not to mention that aware of the complexities of worldwide regulation), so I can’t assist however marvel if we’d see some lawsuits for emotional misery, and many others. Admittedly this wasn’t a flight filled with Individuals, so…
Backside line
Singapore Airways has revealed the way it’s compensating passengers who had been on the Might 21 flight from London to Singapore that encountered extreme turbulence. When you ask me, the airline is doing an ideal job dealing with this, each by way of what’s being provided and by way of speaking transparently.
What do you make of Singapore Airways’ compensation supply?