An airline has issued an apology after mistakenly giving wine to a three-year-old boy during a flight.

The incident occurred on a flight from Hong Kong to London in the business class section where meals were being served.

The young boy took a sip of what he thought was water and commented that it tasted sour.

His mother, referred to only as Mrs Wong, 35, tasted it and realised it was sparkling white wine. 

The angry mum said: “The flight attendant started to serve dinner to passengers, and our child just had chicken and water.

“We saw a glass of a water-like drink served to him, and then my husband went to his seat and cut the chicken for him. 

“After a while, my son asked for water again, and then we asked what the problem was, he said he took a sip and the water was too sour.

“We immediately took a sip and found it was white wine instead of water.” 

On Chinese social media, she said: “The attendant did not take his life or death seriously.” 

Staff on the Cathay Pacific flight sought medical advice but Mrs Wong said she could not sleep after “almost losing her child’s life”. 

The NHS says alcohol can shut down brain functions in children, resulting in comas. 

Cathay Pacific apologised, saying immediate training was being held. 

A spokesman for the attendants union said an investigation was ongoing.