Travellers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ800 from Singapore to Beijing on Monday morning were held for 21 minutes because of a sick three-year-old child.

Cabin crew who noticed the child was ill had advised the family to seek medical treatment before flying. But it is believed the family initially refused to get off the aircraft, which was due to depart at about 1am.

The child and family were later escorted to the airport clinic, an SIA spokesman said.

As it turns out, the child was found to be fit for travel.

SIA made arrangements for the family to fly out on the next flight to Beijing, which left at 8.45am.

The rebooking fee was waived and the airline also made arrangements for the family to rest at its airport lounge before the flight.

The spokesman said: "Generally, customers who do not declare an existing medical condition and show no clear signs of discomfort or difficulty before a flight are considered to be fit to travel, and would be allowed to board the aircraft."