Passengers aboard a China Southern Airlines flight were left frantically queuing for the toilets after cabin crew handed out prune juice that acted like a powerful laxative. The incident occurred on a flight from Wuhan to Urumqi on 1 August, with travellers taking to social media to describe the chaos.
Passengers Mistake Juice for Grape
One unwitting traveller claimed he confused the beverage for regular grape juice and downed it without hesitation. It was only upon finishing the bottle that he realised what he had consumed, before witnessing the frantic rush for the toilets commence. Lengthy queues allegedly formed outside the aircraft's two lavatories as stomachs started gurgling throughout the crowded cabin.
Social Media Reactions
Passengers shared their experiences online following the in-flight drinks service. One person wrote: "Why hand out prune juice when there are just two toilets for over 100 people? You nearly made me embarrass myself." Another added: "My intestines have never been this clean in my entire life." A third user joked: "China Southern is so thoughtful. Free gut cleanse and weight-loss service for all passengers."
Effects Persist After Landing
Some flyers claimed the effects persisted even after landing. One passenger reportedly bolted to the toilet at the airport before needing to make another sprint after arriving at their hotel. Prune juice contains high levels of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that can pull water into the gut and have a laxative effect. A doctor reportedly stated that consuming more than around 10g could trigger diarrhoea in healthy individuals.
Airline Responds to Claims
Airline staff later expressed that they couldn't fully confirm the claims surrounding the specific flight and labelled some online reports as inaccurate and exaggerated. A customer service representative commented: "Aircraft meals and drinks are based on what is actually provided on board. Not every flight serves prune juice. Common options are coffee, ordinary fruit juice or soy milk." They highlighted that passengers also have the option to choose alternatives including water.
The airline also alleged that images circulating online showing lengthy toilet queues had been exaggerated and said no passengers had formally complained of suffering from diarrhoea. There has been no official declaration of an internal review, catering audit or investigation into the incident. The 100ml juice packs reportedly originated from a brand that has supplied airlines for years. Its packaging resembled that of regular fruit juice and reportedly carried no warning about its potential laxative effects.
