Chinese passenger forces flight attendant to kneel over cart bump

A Chinese passenger sparked widespread outrage after forcing a flight attendant to kneel and apologize aboard a domestic flight, claiming the attendant's service cart had bumped his foot.

According to the South China Morning Post on Monday (local time), China Eastern Airlines said it had completed its evidence gathering, fact-finding and legal review of the incident, widely referred to on social media as the "kneeling apology" case.

The airline determined that the passenger's behavior likely disrupted order aboard the aircraft and seriously infringed on the personal dignity and professional rights of its staff, and reported the matter to public security authorities.

China Eastern added that it had suspended transportation services for the passenger under its own regulations, and that it was providing the affected flight attendant with psychological counseling and legal support.

The incident occurred Sept. 28 aboard a China Eastern flight from Hefei, in Anhui Province, to Dalian, in Liaoning Province. While a flight attendant was pushing a beverage cart through the cabin, it struck the elbow of a sleeping passenger. The attendant immediately apologized multiple times and checked on the passenger's condition.

The passenger became agitated and threatened to assault the attendant. Another passenger on the flight recorded the confrontation on video, which spread rapidly through social media.

The footage showed the flight attendant kneeling before the passenger to apologize, fueling further controversy. The passenger who filmed the video said the attendant knelt and apologized two or three times, but the passenger continued to voice complaints.

After the plane landed, medical personnel examined the passenger and found no visible injuries, determining that no further treatment was needed. China Eastern said the passenger later declined an airport staff member's offer to accompany him to a hospital and left the airport on his own.

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, China Eastern said it was "reviewing the entire sequence of events and securing evidence," adding that it would "strictly uphold the bottom line of aviation safety and protect the professional dignity of our staff in accordance with laws and regulations."