Business Class Bag Thief Jailed After Targeting Luxury Watches On Singapore Airlines Flight

Business class comes with Champagne, lie-flat seats and an unspoken sense of calm. What it does not guarantee is immunity from crime. A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 months in jail after attempting to steal another passenger’s carry-on bag mid-flight on a Singapore Airlines service from Dubai to Singapore.

Liu Ming boarded the August flight with intent. Prosecutors told the court he deliberately targeted business class passengers, assuming premium cabins meant premium valuables. He was seated only a few rows away from an Azerbaijani couple whose overhead luggage contained items worth more than S$100,000, roughly A$116,000.

The timing was calculated. After dinner service wrapped up and the cabin lights were dimmed, Liu moved through the aisle while most passengers slept.

The husband was asleep, but his wife woke to see Liu removing her husband’s bag from the overhead locker and carrying it back to his own seat. She confronted him immediately and alerted cabin crew when his explanation failed to add up.

Realising he had been caught, Liu returned the bag and claimed it was an honest mistake. Cabin crew were unconvinced and alerted ground staff ahead of landing. Liu was arrested on arrival at Changi Airport.

Inside the bag was a serious haul. Cash, a Huawei laptop, dozens of cigars, and two luxury watches, including an Audemars Piguet valued at more than S$51,000 and a Chopard worth over S$35,000. None of the items were stolen purely because the theft was interrupted so quickly.

Police later said Liu remained uncooperative and continued to deny wrongdoing, despite his own luggage being entirely different in size and material.

Theft At 40,000 Feet Is A Growing Problem

While the value of this case grabbed headlines, onboard theft is not unusual. Airlines globally have reported similar incidents, particularly on long-haul overnight routes where passengers sleep for hours at a time.

Cathay Pacific has previously warned passengers after repeated reports of overhead luggage theft on Europe to Asia services. Emirates has dealt with high-profile cases involving stolen watches and cash, often resulting in swift arrests on arrival in Dubai. Even legacy carriers like British Airways and Air France have issued reminders urging travellers to keep valuables close during overnight flights.

Budget airlines are no exception. Earlier this year, another Chinese national was jailed after stealing from a passenger on a Scoot flight into Singapore, reinforcing that opportunistic theft cuts across cabins and ticket prices.

Why Singapore Punishes Crime So Harshly

Singapore’s tough stance is no accident. The city-state has built its global reputation on safety, order and predictability, qualities that underpin its success as a financial hub, aviation centre and tourism destination. Crimes that threaten public trust, especially on national symbols like airlines, are treated seriously.

Under Singapore law, theft carries heavy penalties when aggravating factors are present, including high-value items, premeditation, or offences committed in transit where victims are especially vulnerable. Prosecutors argued that allowing such crimes to spread onboard flights would undermine confidence in Singapore’s aviation system and tarnish its international image.

The result is a zero-tolerance approach designed to deter copycat behaviour. Jail terms are not symbolic warnings. They are meant to be seen, reported, and remembered.

For travellers, the message is blunt. Singapore remains one of the safest places in the world, but that safety is actively enforced. Business class may feel insulated, but vigilance still matters. Keep valuables under the seat in front of you, use discreet cases, and never assume altitude equals security.

At 40,000 feet, the rules still apply.

The Takeaway For Travellers

Authorities in Singapore made it clear that sentences will be firm, warning that thefts onboard national carriers risk damaging tourism and aviation reputations. For travellers, especially those flying with luxury watches or significant cash, the message is simple.

Business class may feel insulated, but vigilance still matters. Keep valuables under the seat in front of you, use discreet pouches, and do not assume altitude equals safety. Even at cruising height, someone is always watching.

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