A Cathay Pacific flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong was rocked by severe turbulence in the final stages of its journey early Saturday morning, injuring ten people and sending eight to the hospital. Cathay Pacific flight CX156, operating an Airbus A350-900, landed safely at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), where emergency medical teams boarded the aircraft immediately after arrival. The incident has renewed scrutiny of in-flight turbulence safety, particularly for cabin crew working during meal service.

In a statement to Simple Flying, Cathay Pacific confirmed the sequence of events, saying: “Flight CX156 from Brisbane to Hong Kong on 22 May encountered turbulence. The flight arrived in Hong Kong at 06:45 am local time. Medical personnel boarded the aircraft to assess the conditions of a small number of passengers and crew who reported feeling unwell, and they were provided with the utmost level of care.” The airline added that six cabin crew and four passengers sustained minor injuries, eight of whom were transferred to hospital for further treatment. “The safety of our customers and crew guides every decision we make,” the statement concluded.

CX156: Key Details

Credit: Shutterstock

The turbulence struck during the latter stages of the flight as the aircraft was approaching Hong Kong. Airport Authority Hong Kong confirmed that emergency response teams, including firefighters and ambulance personnel, had been placed on standby shortly before arrival, with medical personnel entering the cabin promptly after landing. Police later confirmed that the eight individuals requiring hospital care were transported to North Lantau Hospital in Tung Chung, while the remaining two received attention at the airport.

Social media footage and photographs circulated after the event showed food containers, napkins, and loose items strewn across the cabin floor. One widely shared image showed an injured flight attendant being assisted on a stretcher while wearing a cervical collar. Cathay Pacific has not announced any operational disruptions or reported structural damage to the aircraft.

“The safety of our customers and crew guides every decision we make.”

Passengers Describe Sudden Freefall

Credit: Shutterstock

One passenger described the experience as comparable to “free-falling from a drop tower,” recounting an abrupt, violent movement that sent unsecured items airborne and caused immediate panic throughout the cabin. She added that many travelers appeared visibly shaken in the aftermath and that several remained seated for an extended period while medical crews worked through the cabin. The event was made worse due to the turbulence hitting during meal service, when crew members were walking unsecured throughout the cabin.

The description echoes accounts from a high-profile Delta Air Lines incident in July 2025, when severe turbulence struck Delta flight DL56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, sending service carts and unbelted passengers into the air and forcing an emergency diversion to Minneapolis, where 25 people were taken to hospitals. In that case, a passenger described the sensation as being on a 300-foot roller coaster drop, coming completely out of the seat. Dinner service had just begun on that flight as well, highlighting a recurring pattern: turbulence during active meal service significantly compounds the injury risk for crew members moving through the cabin.

Why Turbulence Injures Crew More Than Passengers

Credit: Cathay Pacific

Cabin crew are disproportionately at risk during turbulence events because attendants are frequently moving through the cabin during meal and beverage services, with no opportunity to be seated and belted when sudden atmospheric disturbances occur. Passengers seated with seatbelts fastened, even loosely, are substantially better protected. If the pilots are aware of ensuing bumpy conditions, they will tell the crew to sit down, but often the worst turbulence is unexpected.

Some scientists warn that turbulence is not only becoming more frequent but also more severe, with climate change driving temperature shifts and altered wind patterns in the upper atmosphere that increase the likelihood of encounters and their intensity. Airlines universally advise passengers to keep seatbelts fastened whenever seated, regardless of whether the seatbelt sign is illuminated. On CX156, that guidance proved relevant as those already secured in their seats avoided the worst of the event, while crew members in the aisles bore the brunt of the injuries. Cathay Pacific confirmed it will continue to follow up and provide the necessary assistance to all those affected.