2021 Sunwing Airlines party incident
2021 Sunwing Airlines party incident
On December 30, 2021, Sunwing Airlines operated a charter flight from Montréal–Dorval to Cancún with about 130 passengers, many of them Quebec-based influencers and reality TV stars. Before boarding, 40 passengers were refused entry because they were not adequately vaccinated.
During the flight, some passengers were unruly: they blocked aisles, removed their masks, smoked electronic cigarettes, and drank alcohol. The vaping could have triggered the onboard fire alarms, and several passengers later tested positive for COVID-19. Flight attendants had to hide at the back of the plane as the situation worsened. Sunwing said regulations were violated and launched an internal investigation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the passengers, calling them “idiots” and “barbarians” and saying their behavior was a “slap in the face” to airline workers and those following health rules.
The incident occurred during Canada's COVID-19 pandemic, when mask and vaccination requirements were in place. With the Omicron variant rising, officials also warned against non-essential travel.
On January 4, 2022, Transportation, Health, and Public Safety ministers announced a joint investigation, with potential fines up to $5,000 per offence. The Sûreté du Québec joined the inquiry, coordinating with the Public Health Agency of Canada. By January 12, 2022, 12 notices of infractions under the Quarantine Act had been issued, and several passengers had tested positive.
Afterward, Air Canada, Air Transat, and Sunwing canceled the passengers’ return flights. The aviation union urged stronger health measures for crews, including more booster shots, reduced in-flight service, and faster testing. Members of Parliament also called for the government to review pandemic support given to Sunwing.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:33 (CET).