China Southern Airlines faced passenger complaints following an August 1 domestic flight from Wuhan to Urumqi after cabin crew distributed 100-milliliter cartons of prune juice to more than 100 travelers aboard an aircraft equipped with only two working lavatories. The in-flight beverage service reportedly led to long bathroom lines in the narrow aisle, with multiple passengers claiming they experienced sudden digestive reactions midair.
Travelers said the drink containers resembled standard fruit-juice packaging and did not clearly highlight the beverage’s laxative properties. According to Dexerto, one traveler said he drank the entire carton, assuming it contained grape juice, before realizing what he had consumed.
Prune juice naturally contains sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that can have a laxative effect, particularly when consumed in larger quantities. The reported reactions prompted some passengers to crowd the aisle as they waited to use the aircraft’s limited restroom facilities.
Passengers Were Furious
A passenger described the situation on social media shortly after arriving at the destination terminal. He questioned the crew’s decision to serve prune juice given the limited number of restrooms available during the flight.
“Why hand out prune juice when there are just two toilets for over 100 people? You nearly made me embarrass myself,” the passenger said.
Other travelers responded with more humorous accounts of the beverage’s unexpected effects during the roughly four-hour flight across central China. One passenger joked about the thoroughness of the drink’s impact, saying, “My intestines have never been this clean in my entire life.”
Online commentators also joked about the incident as photos showing passengers waiting in the aisle circulated on social media. Another traveler described the beverage service as an unexpected health benefit.
“China Southern is so thoughtful. Free gut cleanse and weight-loss service for all passengers,” the traveler said.
Several passengers claimed the rush for restrooms continued after landing, with some travelers hurrying toward public facilities in the airport terminal and nearby hotels. However, airline representatives disputed the severity of the reported onboard queues.
A customer service representative defended the carrier’s standard catering practices during a press inquiry following the flight, explaining that beverage selections can vary depending on aircraft routes and available supplies.
China Southern Airlines has not announced a formal internal investigation into the catering choices on the Wuhan-Urumqi route. The state-owned carrier operates a large fleet serving domestic and international destinations across Asia.