A British holidaymaker endured a six-hour ‘flight from hell’ on an Etihad Airways journey from Manchester Airport to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi on January 6. The traveller, Cameron Callaghan, fell seriously ill after eating what he described as a ‘smelly’ in-flight chicken meal. The 27-year-old’s ordeal began after consuming a tomato and chicken pasta dish served on the flight, following an egg sandwich three hours before boarding. This led to a series of unfortunate events that left him in distress throughout the flight.
Cameron shared his harrowing experience of suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting almost continuously during the entire six-hour journey. He recalled feeling unwell just 20 minutes after eating the plane food, causing him to experience severe digestive issues for the rest of the flight. The former delivery driver spent most of the time curled up on the bathroom floor, with an air hostess accommodating him when he was not vomiting. The situation escalated to the point where Cameron could no longer stand due to dehydration upon landing at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Due to his deteriorating condition, Cameron had to be wheeled off the plane in a wheelchair for urgent medical attention at the airport. The distressing experience left him bed-bound for the initial days of his trip to Thailand, significantly affecting his planned holiday. Cameron attributed his illness directly to the in-flight meal he had on the Etihad Airways flight. Despite feeling fine before boarding, he believes the food’s quality or preparation was the primary cause of his extreme sickness, which persisted even after landing.
Following his assessment by medical personnel at the airport, Cameron needed intravenous fluids and anti-sickness treatment due to severe dehydration from constant vomiting. The physical toll of the ordeal led him to describe the journey as a ‘flight from hell’ and prevented him from enjoying the beginning of his long-awaited holiday. Reflecting on the incident, Cameron expressed disappointment in how the airline handled the situation, pushing for a refund due to the impact on his travel experience and health.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson from Etihad Airways stated that they take such matters seriously and investigate thoroughly. They maintained that their food preparation adheres to strict safety standards, with temperature controls in place to ensure quality and safety. The airline noted that no other passengers who consumed the same meal reported any health issues during the flight. They emphasized their commitment to passenger safety and well-being as a top priority, despite Cameron’s unfortunate experience.
Cameron’s traumatic journey highlights the unpredictable nature of travel and the importance of food safety on flights. His ordeal serves as a reminder for airlines to ensure the quality and hygiene of in-flight meals to prevent similar incidents in the future. As he continues his holiday in Thailand, Cameron’s experience prompts reflection on the impact of such unexpected events on travellers and the need for swift and effective responses from airlines to ensure passenger comfort and safety.