Air India Under Fire Again: From cockroach in omelette to mishandled luggage

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s recent complaint about Air India’s service has once again put the Tata Group-owned airline in the hot seat. Chouhan raised concerns over being assigned a "broken and sunken" seat on a flight from Bhopal to Delhi, reigniting criticism about the airline’s declining service standards.

Shivraj Chouhan’s Complaint: Broken Seats, Full Fare

On Saturday, Chouhan took to social media to share his discomfort, stating that while passengers pay full fare, they are made to sit on defective seats. He also pointed out that several other seats on the flight were in similar condition.

“Fellow passengers insisted that I exchange seats with them and take a better one, but I didn’t want to trouble anyone for my own comfort. So, I decided to complete my journey on the same seat,” Chouhan wrote in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter).

His complaint has sparked widespread backlash against Air India, with many passengers recalling their own unpleasant experiences with the airline.

Not the First Time: Air India’s Growing List of Passenger Complaints

Chouhan’s concerns are just the latest in a series of complaints that have plagued Air India over the past few months. From hygiene issues to luggage mishandling, the airline’s reputation has taken multiple hits.

Cockroach in Omelette Shocks Passenger

In September 2024, a passenger on Air India’s flight AI 101 from New Delhi to New York faced a horrifying experience when she discovered a cockroach in her omelette. The woman, Suyesha Savant, who was traveling with her 2-year-old son, shared a video of the incident on social media. She claimed that both she and her child suffered from food poisoning after consuming the meal.

Tagging Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Savant’s post quickly went viral, forcing the airline to issue a statement. Air India promised to investigate the matter and improve food quality checks to prevent such incidents in the future.

Indian Hockey Star’s Luggage Mishandled

In another instance, Indian hockey star Rani Rampal voiced her frustration in October 2024 after her luggage was mishandled by Air India staff upon her return from Canada. She took to social media to express her disappointment, sharing images of her damaged bag.

These repeated issues have only added to Air India’s woes, with passengers growing increasingly vocal about their grievances.

Aviation Watchdog Steps In

Following Chouhan’s complaint, India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA, has announced that it will look into the airline’s seat maintenance and overall service standards. With mounting public pressure, Air India now faces an urgent need to address its service quality and regain passenger trust.

What’s Next for Air India?

As Air India continues to expand its fleet and operations under the Tata Group, its ability to deliver consistent and reliable service remains a significant challenge. With high-profile complaints making headlines, the airline will need to take swift corrective action to restore confidence among its passengers.