According to The Independent, the video was recorded by Russian passenger Yevgeny Kaymov, while on a business class flight to Dubai.
Kaymov said that he inadvertently recorded the strange behaviour of the flight attendant.
In an Instagram post, he said, "I accidentally filmed this video, and didn't even notice this moment at the time, pouring unfinished champagne back into the bottle". “Is that normal practice for Emirates?”
Crew members come to the rescue
The short clip has gone viral with some commenters suggesting the airline was going to re-serve the Champagne to other passengers, or that the flight attendant intends to keep it for herself.
However, in a comment thread about the video on Reddit, a flight attendant gave one possible explanation for the action, saying it was probably not about re-using the champagne at all.
“I’m a flight attendant. I think what is going on here is that the attendant is probably pouring the unused champagne back in the bottle before take off to then dispose of once the plane takes off. We're not allowed to pour things out while we're on the ground,” the comment on Reddit read.
One social media user interrogated his girlfriend who works for Emirates. Here's a screenshot of him asking her questions:
Many others supported the airlines
A Reddit comment read, "fly Emirates all the time. They have terrific champagne and wine choices in business and first class. And given the quality of Emirates flight experience and their flight attendants, I am pretty sure they would never in a million years serve anything recorked to the customers."
TripAdvisor calls Emirates - Best airline in the world
Emirates has been named the best airline in the world in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards for 2017. A number of factors were taken were taken into account including legroom, seat comfort, customer service, cleanliness, food and beverage, and value for money.
The 32-year-old airline was recognised for its comfortable economy class and its famously luxurious first class cabins.