China Southern Airlines passengers face restroom shortage after plum juice service

Over 100 passengers on a China Southern Airlines flight from Wuhan to Urumqi experienced gastrointestinal distress after being served free 100ml packets of plum juice. Many passengers reportedly consumed the juice, mistaking it for grape juice, before realizing its effects.

With only two restrooms available on the aircraft, long queues formed as passengers sought relief. The incident reportedly continued even after the plane landed, with passengers seeking facilities at airports and hotels. Plum juice contains sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that can act as a laxative.

China Southern Airlines stated it has not fully verified the passenger claims. A customer service representative noted that in-flight food and beverage service varies by flight and that plum juice is not a standard offering, as coffee, common fruit juices, and soy milk are more frequent. The airline suggested that reports of long queues for the restrooms may have been exaggerated.