Singapore Airlines has tightened cabin-service rules when planes hit turbulence after one passenger died and many were injured on a flight from London earlier this week.
The airline said on Friday it’s taking a “more cautious approach” to managing turbulence after Flight SQ321 suddenly lost altitude on Tuesday and was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok. One man died and dozens of passengers remain in Thai hospitals.
In-flight meal and hot drink service will be halted when the seatbelt sign is switched on, the airline said. Crew members will also return to their seats and strap themselves in.
The rule change does not require all passengers to wear seatbelts throughout the trip. Airlines typically advise travellers to do this, and only instruct them to sit down and wear a seatbelt during bad weather.
The injuries sustained by passengers show the dangers for anyone who isn’t strapped in when an aircraft suddenly drops. On Flight SQ321, people were thrown into the cabin roof and personal belongings and items from the breakfast service were hurled around the aircraft.
Turbulence can happen when a plane hits a strong air current and can be caused by pockets of hot air or powerful weather systems.
