Just a week after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London, the airline is facing severe backlash from passengers on social media over a range of issues, including poor service, damaged baggage, mishandled refunds, and alleged harassment. On June 12, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 275 lives, including 241 passengers and crew, as well as 34 individuals on the ground after the plane struck a medical college hostel.
The aftermath of this disaster has put Air India under intense scrutiny, with many passengers expressing longstanding frustrations regarding the airline’s service standards. Social media platforms have become a venue for sharing these grievances. A user named Qamar Saquib recounted that on June 18, upon arriving in Jeddah from a flight via Delhi, he discovered that 5.5 grams of gold was missing from his luggage. He promptly filed a complaint at Jeddah airport, tagging the airline in his plea for accountability.
Jasmeet Singh voiced concerns about the airline’s failure to honor a refund promise made by staff at the airport. He described the incident as a “clear case of cheating,” mentioning that the airport personnel were insensitive to his elderly mother’s needs during travel with her daughters.
In a concerning post, another user, Sakina, accused Air India of fraudulently canceling her grandparents’ tickets from Mumbai to Bengaluru. Both grandparents are heart patients, and Sakina reported receiving an email on June 9 stating that their flight for June 26 had been canceled-something she insists she did not authorize. The refund was a mere Rs 1,400 for tickets originally valued at Rs 15,000, and she claimed customer service has been unresponsive, labeling the experience as a “scam” and a “breach of security.”
Passenger Yash reported feeling mentally and physically harassed after being forced to switch seats multiple times on flight AI-558, despite having pre-booked a specific seat due to his back problems. Additionally, Rajneesh Khullar expressed his frustration over receiving broken baggage and a lack of response from Air India after he lodged a complaint, stating he had sent over two dozen emails without any reply.
Others have also echoed concerns about the quality of service. Parul Kumar, who traveled on flight AI-309, described the toilets as “super dirty” and complained about non-functional screens and unresponsive attendants, despite having spent AUD 1,500 on her tickets. Another traveler, identified as AR, shared a video from flight AI-810, urging Air India to replace the “dirty and worn-out tapestry” to uphold the Tata Group’s reputation.
These mounting complaints are further compounding the pressure on Air India, which is already under the spotlight following the tragic crash on June 12. The national carrier, which had been expected to experience a revival under the ownership of the Tata Group, is now facing renewed criticism not only for technical and safety oversights but also for pervasive failures in service delivery.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/business/after-ahmedabad-crash-air-india-faces-slew-of-passenger-complaints-on-social-media-7896844/
Category: Business,Ahmedabad crash,AI-171,Air india,Boeing 787
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Publish Date: 2025-06-21 01:36:00
