Hong Kong, 16 October 2024: “Getting your head down, sweetie? Jolly good idea!” So says Leonard Rossiter after causing Joan Collins to spill a drink on herself aboard a flight. It was one of a series of classic TV ads starring the pair promoting Cinzano vermouth, with Rossiter’s social-climbing buffoonery always ensuring the icily elegant Collins was on the receiving end of a soaking. In fact, the commercials were so entertaining – each one a 30-second comedy masterpiece – that guffawing viewers forgot which brand was being advertised. Market leader Martini saw its sales soar as a result.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight? Many passengers do, but with a glass or three. Even before take-off, there is no end to the bar alternatives in departures while the business lounges are brimming with free booze. On board, drinks are usually complimentary and journeys are invariably long. If your pockets are deep enough for first or business class, some flights even have a stand-up bar.
What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, actually. A recent Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Chicago was diverted to Tokyo after a drunk passenger abused crew, used foul language and disturbed fellow fliers. He was escorted off the plane by airport staff. But this is – ahem – small beer compared to incidents elsewhere. Four months ago, a drunk British man flying with EasyJet was arrested at a Spanish airport after trying to open a plane door mid-flight. Last January, an intoxicated American passenger caused a Seattle-bound ANA flight to return to Tokyo after he bit a flight attendant. Before that, we’ve had all manner of air rage incidents: stripping off, trying to storm the cockpit, even wing-walking while the plane is grounded.
According to the International Air Transport Association, there was one notable incident for every 480 flights last year, almost double the 2021 rate. While committed by a tiny minority of passengers, such acts have a disproportionate impact. “They create inconvenience, may threaten the health, safety and security of other passengers and crew, and can lead to significant operational disruption and costs for airlines,” says IATA. It appears alcohol is often a contributing factor. Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has called for a two-drink limit for passengers at airports, pointing out: “We don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them in aircraft at 33,000 feet.”
Like all airlines, Cathay Pacific has protocols for dealing with errant behaviour. Just last week, an unruly passenger was handcuffed and removed from a plane after it landed in San Francisco. Last month, CX banned two passengers for insulting a mainland Chinese woman on a flight to London. It can be an expensive business for those who break the rules. Airlines may seek compensation for losses incurred by a forced landing. Our city’s Aviation Security Ordinance prohibits unruly behaviour on aircraft; anyone convicted faces a stiff fine and up to five years in prison.
Such incidents – and, usually, more banal happenings – keep CX in the news. Flight diverted due to a geomagnetic storm? Hold the front page. Engine issues? Worth a story. Passenger complaints? Let’s make a video. In many ways, you have to feel sympathy for CX. No other airline is subject to the same level of scrutiny. And certainly, no other flag carrier has so many experts – that’s you, legislative councillors – offering advice on how it should be run.
Our leader John Lee urges citizens to tell good stories about Hong Kong, yet one of the best is often overlooked. It relates how two pilots, American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow, founded a new airline in 1946; how it flourished in the 1960s; expanded services to Europe and the US in the ‘70s; and became an award-winning icon – four times ranked as the world’s best airline by Skytrax – that epitomised our city’s can-do, innovative spirit. Its rebound from pandemic crisis and government bailout four years ago to HK$9.8 billion profit in 2023 adds to the legend.
The best is yet to come. CX is planning to spend HK$100 billion on upgrades to its fleet, cabins and lounges. Chair Patrick Healy confirms: “We want to get back to being the very best in the world.” As a frequent flier who is partial to a glass of wine with his meal, I’ll drink to that.
If CX one day resumes its service to Dublin, you can bet Jennifer Bourke will be happy. Ireland’s Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau is loving life in our city, as she reveals in our Law & More podcast where she discusses politics, business, culture and much more. She is quickly followed by forensic accountant Anoop Gidwani, who reflects on his long career with the Independent Commission Against Corruption and our mutual passion for cricket. We are both relishing the return of the Hong Kong Sixes.
Ahh, cricket – “the gentleman’s game” – where statistics and records are woven into the rich tapestry of test match history: Don Bradman’s 99.94 batting average, Brian Lara’s 400 runs, Jim Laker’s 10 wickets … and David Boon’s 52 not out. What? I refer, of course – and without condoning such antics – to the Australia team’s infamous flight from Sydney to London in 1989 and, legend has it, the number of beers Boon consumed.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight? He certainly did.
Until next time, everybody!
Colin Cohen
Senior Partner
Boase Cohen & Collins
