TAIPEI — A 34-year-old EVA Air flight attendant died on 11 October 2025, two weeks after a taxing return from Milan to Taipei. Her death has triggered a multi-agency probe and fierce criticism of the airline’s care for crew health.
The attendant, identified as Sun, joined EVA Air in December 2016. What began as flu-like symptoms on a long-haul rotation became a medical emergency that colleagues say was downplayed on board.
Sun worked on EVA Air flight BR95 from Milan to Taoyuan on 25 September. An anonymous colleague wrote in a viral post that she had already warned her cabin manager that she felt unwell on the earlier outbound leg to Europe.
During the return, her condition worsened. She reportedly had a fever, felt weak, and struggled to carry out service. The purser on duty allegedly told her to keep working when she asked to rest and to contact MedLink, the airline’s ground medical advisory service.
The account, shared on Threads and echoed across Facebook and X, claims Sun was told to tend to passengers who wanted tea or water. Her symptoms were dismissed as tiredness. After landing at around 8 a.m. in Taoyuan, she again asked for help.
She requested a wheelchair and an ambulance. The same manager allegedly refused both, and Sun made her own way through the terminal. Her family took her to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on 26 September. Her condition declined.
She was moved to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung on 8 October for intensive care. She died three days later.
Doctors have not released a final cause of death. Specialists suspect Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD), a rare autoimmune illness that affects about 1 in 100,000 people worldwide. It can present with high fevers, a salmon-coloured rash, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Eva Air Supervisor Condemned
These signs can resemble common infections, which can delay diagnosis. Sun’s family has condemned the supervisor’s actions in media interviews. Her sister told ET Today that the handling of the case was unforgivable. As of 14 October, no lawsuit has been filed.
The Taoyuan Flight Attendants’ Union (TFAU) says the family has spoken with lawyers about possible negligence claims under Taiwan’s Labour Standards Act. “They are heartbroken and furious,” said Zhou Shengkai, TFAU secretary-general. “This points to a wider problem.”
Authorities moved quickly. The Taoyuan City Office of Labour Inspection opened an inquiry on 13 October, interviewing crew and checking records to see if procedures were ignored. Investigators are reviewing whether Sun was discouraged from taking sick leave before departure and if MedLink protocols were breached.
The Civil Aeronautics Administration is examining post-flight reports, which did not mention her illness. The Ministry of Labour may impose fines of up to NT$1.5 million (about US$46,000) per offence if negligence is confirmed, with tougher penalties if bullying is found.
EVA Air issued a brief statement expressing sadness and promising to cooperate. The airline said it is supporting the family, including help with funeral arrangements and counselling. An internal review is in progress.
Public Anger Over Sun’s Death
Public anger has grown. The hashtag #JusticeForSun surged on X, with more than 50,000 posts in two days. Flight attendants shared stories online about a punitive work culture. EVA’s sick leave policy does not force staff to work while ill, but multiple crew members say taking leave can hurt performance scores, bonuses, and future rosters.
“It is a trap,” one crew member wrote under a pseudonym. “Take time off, and your next schedule is a mess, with red-eyes no one wants.” On 13 October, the TFAU and the company union issued a joint statement calling for reform, citing what they called systemic indifference and urging managers to show care over punishment. They pointed to the health costs of the job, such as irregular hours, UV exposure at altitude, and chronic fatigue that can weaken immunity.
EVA Air’s safety reputation is strong, yet critics say staff welfare lags. The carrier has had no fatal crashes or hull losses since 1989. AirlineRatings.com placed EVA seventh on its Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025, marking a 12th straight year on the list. JACDEC ranked it 15th among 100 major airlines in 2018.
IOSA audits have praised pilot training and a young fleet, with an average age of seven years. Labour records tell a different story. Since 2023, EVA has received seven fines totalling NT$2.95 million (about US$90,000), most tied to overtime violations. Some workers logged more than 80 hours a month without proper pay.
In 2019, the TFAU clashed with EVA in court over issues linked to a strike, including withheld passports. A February 2025 ruling favoured the airline on compensation claims. Unions argue these are surface fixes for a deeper staffing crunch after the pandemic. Cabin crew now average about 75 flight hours a month. That stays within CAA limits, but many say it feels relentless.
The case has drawn notice abroad. Unions in the United States and Europe, including the Association of Flight Attendants and the ETF, offered solidarity and warned that crew burnout is a global issue. EVA Air president Clay Sun faces pressure to show that the airline values crew health as much as cabin service and safety awards.
Sun’s family wants clear answers. “She loved flying,” her sister said. “No one should die because of it.” In Taoyuan’s terminals, talk among crews is growing louder. Change, or face the cost.
