Etihad Passenger Vomits 30 Times After Bad In-Flight Meal

Severe Food Poisoning on Etihad Airways Flight: Passenger’s Harrowing Experience

A British traveler recently endured a terrifying ordeal aboard an Etihad Airways flight, suffering from severe food poisoning that led to over 30 instances of vomiting during the journey. This alarming incident, which occurred on a six-hour flight from Manchester (MAN) to Abu Dhabi (AUH), raises questions about airline food safety and passenger health protocols.

Etihad Passenger Faces Severe Illness Mid-Flight

Cameron Callaghan, 27, was on his way to Bangkok (BKK), Thailand, when he experienced significant gastrointestinal distress shortly after consuming an inflight meal. Following a five-hour flight delay, he had eaten an egg sandwich before boarding. The meal served on the flight—a “tomato, cheesy, chicken pasta”—was noted by Callaghan to have an unpleasant odor, but he chose to eat it regardless.

Approximately 20 minutes post-consumption, he began to feel ill. Callaghan described the experience as excruciating, stating, “I was going to the toilet every five minutes, laying in the fetal position. Towards the end of the flight, I’d emptied my body so much that I couldn’t even stand up.” His ordeal left him severely dehydrated and in urgent need of medical assistance upon landing.

Medical Emergency Upon Arrival in Abu Dhabi

Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, Callaghan was so weak that airport personnel had to wheel him to the medical room. There, a doctor administered an IV with an anti-nausea drip to stabilize him. However, he continued to experience symptoms throughout his stay in Bangkok, remaining bed-bound for two to three days due to extreme fatigue and dehydration.

Callaghan attributes his illness to the inflight meal, suspecting that improper food storage during the delay led to food safety issues. “I believe the food had been sitting out since the original time the plane was supposed to take off and not been stored properly,” he remarked.

Etihad Airways Responds to Allegations

Etihad Airways has refuted claims that their inflight meal caused Callaghan’s illness. A spokesperson stated, “We take all such matters very seriously and investigate thoroughly. Our food on this flight, as with all our flights, was prepared and stored under strict temperature-controlled conditions to ensure safety and quality.” The airline also noted that no other passengers reported similar symptoms after consuming the same meal.

Passenger’s Concerns and Future Precautions

Despite the airline’s assurances, Callaghan remains convinced that the meal was the source of his distress. He criticized Etihad’s handling of the situation, labeling it “unprofessional” and demanding a refund along with an acknowledgment of the issue. Following this unsettling experience, he expressed anxiety about his upcoming return flight, stating, “After what I’ve been through, I don’t really want to get on a plane, so I’m stuck in Thailand at the minute.” To avoid a repeat of his experience, he plans to refrain from eating during his flight back.

For more information on airline food safety and passenger health, consider reading about the best practices for food storage during flights and how airlines ensure meal quality and safety.

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