Former pop star sues world's second-best airline, says satay skewer scarred her vocal cords
A former teen pop star in Thailand is suing Singapore Airlines, alleging that a wooden splinter from a chicken satay skewer served in business class lodged in her throat and scarred her vocal cords.
Briohny Smyth, a 44-year-old yoga instructor who previously pursued a career in music, has filed a lawsuit against Singapore Airlines, alleging that a wooden skewer used in their satay dish caused significant damage to her vocal cords. The incident allegedly occurred during a flight from Singapore to Los Angeles on July 28, 2024.
Smyth claims she unknowingly ingested a splinter from the skewer, which led to severe throat pain, coughing, and choking. She managed to expel a jagged piece of wood measuring approximately 3.8 cm in length, but the experience left her with ongoing vocal fatigue, raspy voice, and difficulty speaking and singing. An otolaryngologist examining her later detected scarring and trauma to her vocal cords, consistent with injury from a sharp object.
Smyth, who relies heavily on her voice for her profession, is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, emotional distress, and additional damages. Her lawsuit also addresses the broader issue of liability for in-flight meals, citing other recent cases involving passengers who suffered injuries from airline-provided food.
Singapore Airlines, currently ranked second in Skytrax's 2025 World Airline Awards, has not yet commented on the matter.
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