A Chinese family was kicked out of a Hong Kong bound flight after the child member refused to wear the safety belt.

The couple and their three-year-old son, who are from mainland China, were forced to get off a Cathay Pacific flight after an argument ensued among passengers because the flight was getting delayed.

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Flight CX 654 from Bangkok, Thailand to Hong Kong was scheduled to take off at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.  But the toddler refused to wear a seatbelt - a plane's safety requirement before the flight can proceed.

The incident triggered discussions between the mother and the flight attendant, causing delays. 

The mother insisted on letting her child sit on her lap during takeoff and all throughout the flight, which was against the airlines' safety rules.

A female passenger on board the plane stood up, seemingly irritated with the delay. 

The woman suggested to the crew to call airport police. 

The irate woman told the couple, "We are customers too. Why are you allowed to harass the whole flight?"

The father of the child insisted on staying on the plane, despite heated arguments with passengers demanding for them to get off the plane.

In the website's inflight safety section, Cathay Pacific said it is a legal requirement that passengers follow the instructions of the cabin crew at all times.

The airline also stated it has a "zero tolerance" policy against passengers who willfully obstruct the aircraft's crew in the performance of their duties. 

Cathay Pacific does not tolerate people who, without any reasonable excuse, fail to comply with the instructions given by the cabin crew for the purposes of securing the safety of the flight.

More airline staff was called to settle the dispute.  The family eventually got off the plane, allowing the flight to take off 27 minutes late.

TagsCathay Pacific, airline safety, Hong Kong, Thailand