Video | Hong Kong aviation authority demands answers from Cathay on why passenger filmed in cockpit
Online storm over passenger's photos of landing at Chek Lap Kok, but airline confirms employees and their families can ride with the pilots
The Civil Aviation Department will ask Cathay Pacific for an explanation after photographs and a video of a Cathay flight landing at Chek Lap Kok airport, posted on Weibo by someone who said she captured them from inside the cockpit, caused a stir online.
But the outrage may be unwarranted, as Cathay allows employees and their immediate family members to ride in the cockpit jump seat, in accordance with government guidelines.
The passenger, Ada Ng Tsz-yan, posted the video and six photos on her Weibo microblog this week. One photo was of her boarding pass, which indicated she was assigned the jump seat.
Commenters on multiple internet news and social media platforms expressed outrage that the woman was allowed to ride up front. The department said it was "seeking clarification from the concerned airlines". In her post dated Tuesday, Ng said the flight was full and she was fortunate the captain allowed her to sit behind him in the cabin.
"Experiencing the take-off and landing inside the cockpit is very cool," she wrote.
WATCH: Woman allowed by captain to sit in Cathay Pacific flight's cockpit