After requesting a non-vegetarian lunch that was reserved on his ticket, a customer on a Tata-owned Air India trip from Bangkok to New Delhi has accused staff members of wrongdoing.
Incident on Bangkok–Delhi Air India Flight
According to Abhishek Chaudhry, the event occurred on January 19 while he and his 22-year-old cousin were returning to Delhi. Chaudhry stated in the video that by the time the food service arrived in the back rows of the plane, his cousin, who was sat next to him, had not received the non-vegetarian meal that had been reserved in advance.
He further said that when he brought up the matter, the cabin attendant rudely addressed him and demanded to see his boarding card. Chaudhry said that he felt like a “dog” because a French passenger sitting next to him had a similar experience.
Passenger Alleges Rude Behavior by Cabin Crew
“Instead of stating, ‘Sorry, sir, we do not have any meal,’ they asked for my ticket when I inquired for my non-vegetarian lunch. I had a really harsh conversation with the chief of staff. I had a dog-like feeling. Additionally, I am a customer of Air India, and I will not be able to take any more flights from them tomorrow,” he stated.
Chaudhry claimed that he was told to keep quiet when he objected to the crew’s tone and warned them that such behavior was inappropriate. “I replied, ma’am, the ticket that I had bought, I had selected everything,” he stated after approaching the staff once more about a non-vegetarian lunch he had reserved in advance for his cousin. I have chosen a non-vegetarian lunch for my relative and a vegetarian meal for myself. However, I downloaded it from my email and showed it to her when she insisted,” Chaudhry remarked.
✈️ Air India Passenger Meal Dispute
- Flight Route: Bangkok to New Delhi
- Date: January 19
- Issue: Pre-booked non-vegetarian meal not served
- Passenger: Abhishek Chaudhry and his cousin
- Allegation: Rude behavior by cabin crew
- Status: Internal investigation initiated
Alleged Mishandling of Complaint
He claims that after instructing a less experienced coworker to snap a screenshot of the ticket, the cabin crew member accused him of returning the meal earlier. According to Chaudhry, he then requested the flight’s logbook in order to legally file a complaint, but the crew declined to cooperate. He identified Meenakshi Chaturvedi, a member of the cabin crew, and claimed that she and others handled the incident in a way that was “unprofessional and unpleasant.”
“I am receiving this care. Can I fly for free with Air India? First, they treated foreigners with contempt. They then treated me disrespectfully. During the entire flight, my 22-year-old cousin did not receive any food. He said, “It is the first time that someone can speak so rudely.”
Claims of Intimidation and Privacy Violation
Chaudhry stated that when things became worse, some other travelers accused him of helping a foreigner. He explained that the issue was solely about behavior and respect and had nothing to do with racism. “They started talking on a different level,” he said. that foreigners do not appreciate us in their own country and that I am helping them. Racism is not a problem here. Conduct is the problem. The problem is that I did not receive respectful communication. The foreigner was not either. “I am not a dog,” the foreigner, who spoke a little Hindi, remarked, according to Chaudhry.
He also claimed that after the incident, pilot Tushar Singh sent him a warning letter, claiming that his actions had upset other travelers. Chaudhry said that crew members violated his privacy, intimidated him, and tried to inspect his phone without his will after the plane landed.
⚠️ Air India Response & Passenger Rights
- Airline Action: Internal investigation launched
- Passenger Claim: Warning issued for raising complaint
- Concern Raised: Right to file grievance without intimidation
- Public Reaction: Social media demands accountability
- Key Issue: Respectful communication and service delivery
Air India’s Official Response
In response to the video, a social media user called on authorities to take notice of the situation and said that issuing a code of conduct warning against someone filing a legitimate complaint could create a worrying precedent.
Air India responded by stating that it has started an investigation into the event and is aware of the footage that is making the rounds online.
“In order to verify the claims mentioned in the video, we are presently looking into the situation. The investigation’s findings will determine the necessary actions. A spokeswoman continued, “Air India is very sorry for the inconvenience and will continue to prioritize the safety and comfort of all customers and the staff.”
Frequently asked questions
1. What specifically transpired on the Air India aircraft from Bangkok to Delhi?
There was a violent argument on board after a passenger claimed that his cousin had not received the non-vegetarian dinner that had been reserved and that the cabin personnel had acted rudely when he brought up the matter.
2. Was there a reservation for the non-vegetarian meal?
Indeed, the customer claimed to have pre-booked a vegetarian lunch for himself and a non-vegetarian meal for his cousin, which he subsequently displayed to the crew using the information on his ticket.
3. What was Air India’s reaction to the accusations?
Air India said it had started an internal investigation into the event and acknowledged the footage that has been making the rounds on social media.
4. Was there racism or discrimination involved in the incident?
The traveler explained that the crew’s behavior and lack of courteous communication toward him and a foreign passenger were the real issues, not racism.
5. How was the passenger treated during the flight?
The passenger stated that after receiving a warning letter from the pilot for allegedly upsetting other passengers, he was threatened and had his privacy violated by crew members; these claims are currently being looked into.
Conclusion
The incident has spurred a lot of conversation about staff behavior on commercial aircraft, passenger rights, and customer service standards. Even though Air India has apologized and started an inquiry, the results will be critical in establishing responsibility and rebuilding passenger trust.
The case emphasizes the value of courteous communication, open grievance procedures, and making sure that reserved services are provided as promised, particularly for an airline looking to regain customers’ trust under new management.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on the passenger’s allegations and publicly available statements. Air India has not yet concluded its investigation, and all claims remain subject to verification. The information is presented for awareness purposes only and does not imply wrongdoing by any individual or the airline.
