Singapore Airlines Apologises to Muslim Passenger on New York Flight

SINGAPORE- Singapore Airlines or SIA (SQ) has apologised after a Muslim passenger was mistakenly served a pork dish on an 18-hour SQ24 flight from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The business-class passenger, identified as Jey, said he was served “Grilled Mediterranean Salad with Prosciutto” despite having dietary restrictions. Cabin crew initially told him the meat was not pork, but he later discovered that prosciutto is a type of cured pork.

Photo: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines Apologises to Muslim Pax

Jey, a Singapore permanent resident and practising Muslim for more than 30 years, said the misunderstanding occurred during one of the three meal services on the ultra-long-haul flight.

He had booked a Muslim meal for one service but selected the airline’s “Book the Cook” option for another, choosing a dish he believed to be pork-free.

After tasting the unfamiliar meat, Jey searched online and learned it was pork. When he raised the issue, crew members said the junior staff who served him did not know prosciutto was pork.

An SIA customer service email later admitted the crew were initially uncertain about the ingredient but served it without confirmation.

Photo- Singapore Airlines

Airline Response and Compensation Offers

Jey lodged a formal complaint with SIA. The airline first offered him a S$150 (RM490) KrisShop voucher, then 15,000 KrisFlyer miles, and later 30,000 miles — all of which he rejected, calling them “saddening and insulting.” He stressed that no person of faith would willingly violate a sacred dietary law for compensation.

SIA confirmed the incident, apologised for the distress caused, and said the dish was removed once the dietary issue was identified. The airline stated it has strengthened cabin crew training and service procedures to prevent similar errors. It also reminded passengers with dietary needs to pre-book special meals for all services on flights with multiple meal rounds.

This incident highlights the importance of accurate food labelling and crew awareness of religious and dietary restrictions.

According to SIA’s website, dishes containing pork generally do not carry a visible label, and passengers with restrictions must book special meals in advance for every service. Jey has since filed a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.

Photo: Mark Gower, Managing Director at Gatwick Ground Services (GGS)

Other Incident

An Indonesian content creator has been jailed for using Singapore Airlines (SQ) KrisFlyer miles from accounts he bought illegally. He was sentenced to three months and four weeks in jail, along with a fine, after redeeming the stolen miles in Singapore.

Rizaldy Primanta Putra, 28, obtained access to multiple KrisFlyer accounts by purchasing them online. He later used the miles to pay for goods, including purchases at Changi Airport (SIN) worth over S$1,600.

How the Offences Took Place

Between May and November 2024, Putra acquired login details for eight KrisFlyer accounts from sellers he met through a Facebook group. He paid between S$16 and S$200 per account, fully aware they were from compromised sources.

After logging in via the KrisFlyer mobile app, he converted the stolen miles into KrisPay miles and spent them at participating merchants. His first misuse occurred in June 2024, a day after arriving in Singapore, when he redeemed 4,672 KrisPay miles—worth more than S$30—for food and drinks at Bugis Junction.

Later that month, during his second trip to Singapore, Putra used 245,491 KrisPay miles to purchase a Samsung phone and case at Changi Airport Terminal 3, valued at over S$1,600. Additional offences, including purchases of cameras, shoes, and clothing, were considered in sentencing, though their value was not disclosed.

The fraud was uncovered after Singapore Airlines staff detected unusual activity on the accounts and reported it to the police. Putra left Singapore in September 2024 but was arrested upon his return on 11 January 2025.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Putra initially intended to contest the charges but later pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally modifying computer material. Two additional charges were taken into consideration. The court also ordered him to pay S$1,667.76 in compensation.

His lawyer claimed he was unaware his actions were illegal in Singapore, believing the miles could be used legitimately. The prosecution argued that the low purchase price for the accounts, compared with the high value of goods redeemed, should have raised immediate suspicion.

Under Singapore law, those convicted of illegally modifying computer material face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

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