On May 26, 2026, a Malaysian family traveling from Singapore to Kuching on an AirAsia X flight was ordered to disembark after a dispute over the use of a specialised child restraint seat for their daughter, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The daughter’s aviation-approved restraint device is certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) [1, 2, 3, 4].
The family completed check-in, immigration, and boarding at Changi Airport before the pilot decided to deny use of the special seat on board [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. AirAsia X said the decision was based on safety requirements related to the suitability of the child restraint device at the time of travel [2, 3, 5]. The airline’s policy allows specialised child restraints only for children between six months and three years old weighing no more than 18 kilograms [1, 3, 6].
The mother, a healthcare worker, said their daughter had traveled many times using the same seat, including previous AirAsia flights, without issues [1, 3, 4]. She expressed disappointment at the lack of clear explanation and alternative options offered by airline staff. "We were not given a clear explanation regarding the safety or operational concerns behind the decision. We were only told that it was company policy," she said. "What safety issue was involved? Was it the seat itself or my daughter's medical condition?" [1]
AirAsia X said its ground and cabin crew are trained to handle such situations with care and professionalism following established procedures [2, 3, 5]. The airline encouraged passengers with disabilities to submit relevant documentation for child restraint devices ahead of travel to facilitate approval [2, 3, 5].
Following the incident, AirAsia X announced on May 29 a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures for specialised child restraint seats. Captain Saravanan Subramaniam, Chief Safety and Quality Officer, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our guests will always remain our highest priority. While we empathise with the disappointment experienced by the family, the decision was made in accordance with applicable safety requirements and operating procedures at the time of travel." He added that the airline is reviewing its policies "to ensure greater clarity and consistency" [2, 3, 5].
AirAsia X contacted the family to provide further clarification and assistance after the incident [2, 3, 5]. The policy review is ongoing as the airline seeks to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
