EVA Air Flight Attendant Died: Milan Flight Incident

A 34-year-old flight attendant who felt unwell before boarding a flight to Milan never recovered. Sun, an EVA Air crew member, fell ill during the September 25, 2025, journey and died less than three weeks later, prompting scrutiny of how the airline handles crew medical emergencies. The incident has ignited debate over workplace safety culture at the Taiwanese carrier.

Age: 34 · Airline: EVA Air · Death date: October 10, 2025 · Suspected cause: Adult-onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) · Incident flight: BR95 (Milan–Taipei)

What happened to EVA Air?

EVA Air, Taiwan’s second-largest carrier, found itself at the center of a workplace safety controversy in October 2025. A viral social media post drew attention to the death of a cabin crew member, sparking widespread criticism of how the airline handles medical emergencies involving its own staff.

Flight details

Sun, a 34-year-old flight attendant, reported for duty on an EVA Air flight to Milan on September 25, 2025. She had felt unwell before even boarding the outbound flight to Milan, but still proceeded with the assignment. During the return leg—flight BR95 from Milan Malpensa to Taipei—her condition deteriorated significantly.

A passenger on the return flight reported seeing Sun visibly unwell while still serving meals, according to FTV News coverage. Upon landing at Taoyuan Airport, Sun received an injection for pain and fever, then was referred to hospital care.

Timeline of events

The sequence of events spans approximately two and a half weeks, beginning when Sun felt unwell prior to her Milan assignment and ending with her death in a Taichung hospital.

What was the cause of the EVA Air flight attendant’s death?

Medical professionals suspected Adult-onset Still’s Disease (AOSD), a rare autoimmune condition, as the cause of Sun’s rapid decline. Doctors identified a rheumatology-related issue on September 25, 2025, according to Taiwan News, the same day she was hospitalized.

Reported medical condition

AOSD is a rare inflammatory disorder that typically affects adults, causing symptoms including fever, rash, and joint pain. The disease can progress rapidly in severe cases, though it remains uncommon and diagnosis often takes time. No confirmed pre-existing condition has been reported for Sun, though online commenters have questioned whether underlying health issues may have contributed.

The suspected AOSD diagnosis came from initial hospital assessments at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, where Sun was first treated upon arrival from Milan. She was subsequently transferred to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung for continued care.

Distinction from other reports

Early headlines and some secondary reports referenced “acute liver failure” in connection with Sun’s death, but primary sources including Taiwan News make no mention of this condition. The medical focus appears to have been on the suspected autoimmune condition rather than liver involvement, at least in the publicly available information from hospital assessments.

How did EVA Air respond?

EVA Air issued a public apology and announced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sun’s death. The airline confirmed it was informed of the death on October 11, 2025, and indicated it was providing support to Sun’s family.

Apology issued

The airline’s apology addressed concerns raised in the viral social media post that first brought attention to the incident. The post accused EVA Air of failing to protect its employees when medical emergencies arise, and of maintaining a culture that discourages crew members from taking sick leave.

EVA Air acknowledged responsibility for the handling of Sun’s case, particularly the decisions made regarding medical assistance during the return flight. The airline stated it was reviewing its protocols for crew medical emergencies.

Internal investigation

Beyond the internal review, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants’ Union and EVA Airways Corporate Union announced they would jointly investigate whether the cabin manager’s actions constituted workplace bullying. The cabin manager, for her part, claims she checked on the crew before the return flight and that Sun did not request medical help in Milan.

Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection dispatched officials to examine the case, making it a formal regulatory matter rather than simply an internal airline concern.

“this was not some regrettable coincidence, but the result of systemic and long-term indifference to crew members’ health.” — Fellow EVA Air flight attendant (One Mile at a Time)

The catch: the cabin manager’s decision not to contact Medlink—the standard inflight medical consultation protocol—appears to be a procedural failure regardless of whether Sun explicitly requested help. Aviation commenters have noted that the protocol exists precisely for situations where crew members may be reluctant to speak up about their health.

How much do EVA Air flight attendants make?

The controversy has drawn attention to working conditions at EVA Air, including compensation structures that union members claim create pressure against taking sick leave. Understanding the financial context helps explain why crew members may hesitate to report health concerns mid-flight.

Salary range

According to employee-reported data, EVA Air flight attendants earn monthly salaries ranging from approximately NT$48,000 to NT$72,000, depending on experience and seniority. Total compensation—including allowances and bonuses—can push annual earnings higher, but the performance review system ties these bonuses to attendance metrics.

Glassdoor data

Glassdoor reviews from current and former EVA Air employees cite a “high-pressure” service culture where attendance records factor significantly into evaluations. Several reviews mention reluctance to take sick days due to concerns about how it would affect performance scores and bonus eligibility.

What is EVA Air doing about crew welfare?

The airline’s response extends beyond this single incident. EVA Air has committed to reviewing its medical protocols and sick leave policies, though specific changes had not been announced as of late October 2025.

Possible policy shifts

The Taoyuan Flight Attendants’ Union has called for clearer guidelines on when Medlink must be contacted and when crew members displaying symptoms should be relieved of duties. The union argues that current protocols place too much discretion in the hands of individual cabin managers.

The EVA Airways Corporate Union’s joint involvement suggests that management and labor are negotiating over how to balance service delivery expectations with crew health protections. One proposed change involves removing or reducing the performance penalty for sick leave taken under documented medical circumstances.

Health protocol review

EVA Air’s internal investigation is examining whether proper procedures were followed during Sun’s return flight, particularly regarding the decision not to contact Medlink or arrange wheelchair assistance. The Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection’s parallel inquiry carries regulatory weight that could compel policy changes if violations are found.

“The manager’s failure to at least contact Medlink is problematic, and perhaps was a violation of the airline’s procedures.” — Aviation industry commenter Timtamtrak (One Mile at a Time)

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Frequently asked questions

For Taiwanese airline passengers, the lesson is uncomfortable: the crew members serving your meals may be operating under pressure to conceal health problems that could compromise their ability to respond in an emergency. Until EVA Air implements concrete reforms to sick leave policies and mandatory medical consultation protocols, the structural incentive to prioritize service over safety remains intact.