On June 10, 2018, at about 1215 local time, American Airlines 181, N826AN, B787-9, was enroute to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Beijing, China, when two flight attendants were burned as a result of a beverage cart tray being overturned with three pots of hot liquids on it. At the time of the event, the airplane was in smooth air with no turbulence. Of the 292 passengers and crew onboard, one flight attendant received minor injuries and one flight attendant received serious injuries. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California to PEK.

The crew reported that the two injured flight attendants were in the aft galley setting up the beverage cart when the cart overturned. The injured flight attendants were treated by a passenger physician. Paramedics met the airplane at the gate and one flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with 2nd degree burns and released.