Argument over perfume and body odour escalates into mid-air violence, delaying flight by two hours
A Shenzhen Airlines flight was delayed for two hours after two female passengers erupted into a physical altercation over body odour and perfume, resulting in a flight attendant being bitten.
The incident took place on April 1, 2025, just before takeoff from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao. The clash prompted police intervention, minor injuries, and a full-plane evacuation, according to Sin Chew Daily News.
Chaos broke out aboard a Shenzhen Airlines flight when two women seated in the same row began arguing over unpleasant scents — one citing strong perfume, the other complaining of body odor. The disagreement quickly escalated into a violent scuffle just before the aircraft’s scheduled departure.
Cabin crew rushed in to defuse the situation but met fierce resistance. One flight attendant was bitten on the arm by a passenger, while another traveller suffered scratches during the chaos. Two male passengers seated nearby also attempted to assist the crew.
As tensions flared, all passengers were forced to disembark, halting the flight’s original departure time of 5:45pm. The aircraft eventually left Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 7:56pm for its scheduled destination in Shanghai.
In an official statement released via Weibo, Shenzhen Airlines confirmed the incident, stating a crew member had sustained minor injuries while maintaining cabin order. The injured staff member was promptly transported to a hospital and was in stable condition.
The airline stated that the passengers involved were handed over to local police and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of both staff and passengers. Shenzhen Airlines urged all travellers to observe proper in-flight conduct and etiquette.
“Shenzhen Airlines will do our best to protect the legal rights of our passengers and employees. We urge all passengers to follow in-flight regulations and travel with etiquette,” the company stated on its official Weibo page.
As air travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, airlines across Asia are facing new challenges in maintaining passenger discipline and staff safety. This violent outburst highlights the importance of enforcing flight regulations and the potential consequences of disruptive behaviour onboard.
Sources: Mothership (2025), The Sun (2025), Daily Mail (2025)
Keywords: Flight Delay, Passenger Fight, Cabin Crew Bitten, Shenzhen Airlines
