On September 5, 2018, 106 of 521 passengers on Emirates Flight 203 from Dubai to New York reported symptoms including coughing, sneezing, fever, and vomiting, leading to a quarantine of the plane upon arrival. An investigation by the CDC found that only a few passengers had common colds or flu, and that the other passengers had developed symptoms after observing those around them. The incident was concluded to be a case of mass hysteria, highlighting the power of suggestion in triggering illness.

The Emirates Flight 203 illness panic has been the subject of news articles and literary works that explore the psychology of fear in confined spaces and the power of suggestion in triggering physical symptoms. The event has inspired writers to examine the dynamics of mass hysteria in travel and the role of media in amplifying panic. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass delusion and the importance of critical thinking, themes that resonate in contemporary discussions of health and travel.