Friends laughed along with the reference to missing Malaysia flight MH370, wishing him and his partner happy holidays.

'If this plane disappears, this is what it will look like': The Dutch man joked on Facebook before boarding the flight. Facebook

However their comments later turned to shock and disbelief.

One wrote "rest in peace dear Cor and (his partner) Neeltje, and we wish strength to your family - what a nightmare this is."

The photo went viral and was picked up by the world's media, now having been shared more than 11,000 times.