Emirates Passengers Soaked as Water Leaks From Plane Ceiling
Water reportedly dripped from the roof of an Emirates Airbus A380 for nearly five hours on a flight from Dubai to Istanbul, leaving passengers in 'wet seats'.
Passengers aboard an Emirates flight from Dubai to Istanbul experienced a disconcerting journey when water began leaking from the aircraft's ceiling, reportedly soaking seats for nearly five hours. The incident occurred on flight EK123 on September 17.
Video footage shared by passengers appears to show water dripping from the overhead panels of the Airbus A380. Some travelers were observed using cloths to shield themselves from the persistent leak. One passenger, Hsin Ying Chang, described the water pouring down "like a waterfall" shortly after takeoff. She claimed that cabin crew offered no explanation or apology.
Ms. Chang, who is Taiwanese, stated that while a foreign passenger next to her was moved, she and other Taiwanese passengers were relocated to seats in row 52 near the galley. She described their new seating area as lacking entertainment systems and that she could only face a wall. The experience, she said, significantly altered her perception of the airline.
Flight tracking data indicates that the plane departed from Dubai International Airport at 11:14 a.m. local time and arrived at Istanbul Airport at 2:16 p.m.
The cause of the water leakage is not definitively stated, but such occurrences on commercial aircraft are uncommon. Experts suggest that condensation from the air-conditioning system accumulating and then dripping can sometimes cause leaks.
Emirates has faced similar issues previously. In November 2025, a condensation-related drip was reported on flight EK12 from London Gatwick, which occurred after the aircraft had landed. Emirates is a major international airline headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and operates as one of the world's largest long-haul carriers.