Airlines are set to urge aeroplane passengers to wear their seatbelts throughout flights in a new safety push following the death of a 73-year-old Singapore Airlines passenger during extreme turbulence. Safety teams at a number of companies are believed to be considering how best to compel their customers to stay strapped in even if the seatbelt sign is off, according to The Times. Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from Heathrow on May 21 saw the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft plummet 6,000ft amid terrifying turbulence which left Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, dead and 30 more passengers injured. Singapore Airlines has already tweaked its policy after the May 21 incident - no longer providing hot drinks and meals when the seatbelt sign is on. Seconds before then, with the seatbelt sign turned off, some had got up from their seats to stretch their legs while pleasant and professional crewmembers distributed the refreshments.

Source: The Times June 03, 2024 11:15 UTC