Flight delays often occur due to passengers’ unruly behavior, such as taking too long to settle into their seats or ignoring boarding calls. However, a recent incident in China has brought a new twist to this issue. A woman refused to stow her luxury Louis Vuitton handbag, claiming it was too valuable to be placed under the seat in front of her.
According to the South China Morning Post, the Chinese woman’s refusal to comply with the flight attendant’s request led to a one-hour delay and ultimately resulted in her being escorted off the plane. The incident, which occurred on August 10, went viral after a passenger posted a video on the Chinese social media app Douyin, amassing 4 million views and sparking heated discussions. The woman, seated in economy class, insisted on keeping her Louis Vuitton bag beside her rather than placing it under the seat as required.
The flight, departing from an airport in Chongqing municipality in southwestern China, was forced to return to the boarding gate due to the woman’s refusal. Passengers applauded as police escorted her off the plane.
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The South China Morning Post noted that a Louis Vuitton handbag costs approximately US$3,000 (Rs 2,51,803) in China, while an economy class ticket for the China Express Airlines flight from Chongqing to Hebei province costs around 800 yuan (US$110). The airline did not comment on the incident or disclose the outcome of their conversation with the passenger, whose identity remains unknown. The incident has ignited a heated debate on mainland social media.