THAI airlines to replace steel cutlery with plastic after in flight brawl

After a mid flight brawl earlier this month that involved THAI Airways International regular stainless steel flatware cutlery, the company has decided to trial the use of plastic cutlery during the in-flight meal services.

The change has been made out of concern for passenger safety according to Chatree Pongsak the director of THAI’s flight operations safety department. He says that stainless steel cutlery coul be used as a weapon or in a terrorist attack to commit a crime on board.

The airline’s Company Safety Committee has agree to begin by piloting the use of plastic flatware on THAI’s Bangkok – Los Angeles flights and is considering phasing out the use of metallic cutlery on all of the airlines routes. If the switch proves to be a success on that route then the company will implement the plan for the China routes.

Mr Chatree said “Our decision is based on information about possible terrorist acts and the number of in-flight brawls. We want to prevent steel forks or knives from being used in personal attacks.” It follows an incident earlier this month in which three Chinese tourists engaged in a brawl on board THAI flight TG674 from Bangkok to Beijing. One of the passengers sustained injuries after being attacked with a steel knife and fork. Cabin crew were forced to intervene to break up the fight.

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