Cathay Pacific has apologised and suspended a number of flight attendants over claims of discrimination against passengers who don't speak English during a flight from Chengdu to Hong Kong on Sunday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the carrier said its probing the incident, in which crew members are said to have complained among themselves in English and Cantonese about the language skills of the passengers.

In particular, they're said to have made fun of a passenger who asked for a "carpet" instead of a "blanket", saying that if they couldn't ask for a blanket in English, they couldn't have one.

The incident came to light in a widely-circulated post on the mainland's Xiaohongshu social media platform, which included a recording of the conversation.

“This plane ticket was originally a gift from Cathay Pacific Airways for the Greater Bay Area. Before boarding, I thought that the last row would be quiet, but I didn't expect it to be a front-row ticket to the door leading to the ugliness of human nature”, the post’s author wrote.

Cathay Pacific, for its part, said it has suspended the crew members involved, adding that it has launched an investigation into the incident – the results of which will be announced within three days.

“We solemnly promise that any improper words or actions that violate rules or professional ethics will be seriously dealt with once confirmed,” the carrier said.

In an online commentary, the People's Daily expressed shock at the incident and criticised Cathay's corporate culture for "worshipping foreigners and respecting Hong Kong people", but looking down on mainlanders.

The state-owned newspaper said the airline should establish rules and regulations "to stop the unhealthy trend from the root”.