On Tuesday May 21st, 2024, Singapore Airlines\u2019<\/a> Boeing 777-300ER carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, originally headed from London Heathrow<\/a> to Singapore, was forced to divert to and make an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport<\/a> in Bangkok due to sudden air turbulence.<\/p>\n The aircraft took off at 10:37 pm on Monday night for a routine flight to Southeast Asia and suddenly encountered severe air turbulence from thunderstorms over the Bay of Bengal before 9 am British time.<\/p>\n Seven minutes later, the aircraft was forced to rapidly take a turn to Bangkok where it landed at 9:45 am in Suvarnabhumi Airport.<\/p>\n In the aftermath of the airline tragedy, 30 people were injured and one person died. In response to the fatality, Singapore Airlines offered condolences in a statement and deeply apologized for \u201cthe traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight\u201d.<\/p>\n Turbulence is unstable air movement caused by wind speed and direction changes such as thunderstorms, cold and warm weather fronts, and jet streams. Turbulence can range in severity and cause minor to dramatic changes in altitude and air speed.<\/p>\n There are four classifications for turbulence, such as light, moderate, severe, and extreme. In case of extreme turbulence, pilots could lose control of the aircraft and face structural damage. In severe cases, turbulence can also cause structural damage to the plane depending on the wind strength.<\/p>\n The first thing you have to do in order to stay safe during turbulence while on a plane is to always keep your seatbelt snugly fastened, which can prevent you from being propelled off of your seat and potentially hitting the ceiling in the event of a sudden drop.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re walking in the aisle, find the nearest seat available. Sit down and fasten your seatbelt immediately. Make sure to also secure large, heavy belongings such as laptops or large metal water bottles to prevent them from being flung around and possibly hurting you and other passengers.<\/p>\n Air sickness occurs when the ear sends movement <\/strong>signal while the eyes send stillness<\/strong> signal to the brain, which confuses the latter and results in symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting. Sudden movements in the aircraft from turbulence can also lead to air sickness.<\/p>\n In case of air turbulence, do your best to remain calm and still. Take a deep breath and try to keep your head against the headrest of your seat to reduce movement. To prevent air sickness, refrain from eating spicy foods that could upset your stomach, and stay hydrated before and during the flight.<\/p>\n Now that you know about the danger of air turbulence as seen in the Singapore Airlines tragedy, it\u2019s evident that the risk of injuries exists even in the most peaceful flight. Thus, it\u2019s crucial to secure travel insurance<\/strong><\/a> to safeguard your finances from potentially overwhelming medical bills.<\/p>\n Travel insurance offers financial protection in cases of injuries or illnesses, as well as luggage loss and delay during your vacation overseas. Let\u2019s say you sustained injuries from sudden air turbulence, this is where your travel insurance policy covers medical expenses for your injuries.<\/p>\n Which type of travel insurance you should select will depend on the duration of your trip or if you\u2019re bringing along your spouse and children along on your trip.<\/p>\n For example, a single trip <\/strong>option would be ideal for one-off trips for a set period of time while an annual or multi-trip <\/strong>option is a more cost-effective alternative for those looking to take more than two trips within a whole year.<\/p>\n Alternatively, for parents with children under the age of 18, the family <\/strong>option is strongly recommended as this covers both the parents and their children in case of luggage loss, injuries, or illnesses.<\/p>\n By keeping your seatbelts securely fastened and making necessary dietary adjustments before the flight in case of air sickness, you can stay safe in the event of sudden air turbulence in the middle of your flight.<\/p>\n However, despite your best efforts to stay safe during air turbulence, you still run the risk of injuries during your flight, and medical bills in Singapore can be especially costly in comparison to your home country. Fortunately, this is where Pacific Prime CXA<\/a> comes in.<\/p>\n As a leading international health insurance<\/a> broker, Pacific Prime CXA has helped match both expats and local citizens to a health insurance plan that matches both their budget range and unique health insurance needs. More specifically, travel insurance is one area you should never overlook.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re an expat or local citizen seeking health insurance in Singapore, or you\u2019re looking to stay safe during your trip, our team of specialists will be more than happy to help you out. And if you have any questions, please get in touch with us<\/a> or have a free no-obligation plan comparison<\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Blog-Banner_Singapore_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\nOverview: The Singapore Airlines Tragedy<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Overview-The-Singapore-Airlines-Tragedy.png\")
<\/p>\nWhat is Turbulence?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-Turbulence.png\")
<\/p>\nAir Travel Safety During Turbulence<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Air-Travel-Safety-During-Turbulence.png\")
<\/p>\nTurbulence and Air Sickness<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Turbulence-and-Air-Sickness.png\")
<\/p>\nTravel With Insurance: The Importance of Travel Insurance<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Travel-With-Insurance-The-Importance-of-Travel-Insurance-1.png\")
<\/p>\nTravel Insurance Recommendations<\/h3>\n
Secure Health Insurance with Pacific Prime CXA<\/h2>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/PPSG_Gen_02.jpg\")
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