Vir Das Criticizes Air India Over Inadequate Service During Flight with Injured Wife

Comedian Vir Das recently took to social media to share his disappointment with Air India after an unsatisfactory experience while traveling with his wife, who is recovering from a fractured foot. Despite paying over ₹1 lakh for a premium flight service from Mumbai to Delhi (AI816), Das claimed that both the in-flight experience and assistance at the airport were lacking.

Dear @airindia Please reclaim your wheelchair. I’m a lifetime loyalist. I believe you’ve got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write. My wife and I book Pranaam and a wheelchair because she’s got a foot fracture that’s still healing. We’re flying to delhi.…

— Vir Das (@thevirdas) April 14, 2025

Delayed Arrival and No Wheelchair Assistance

Das’s experience worsened when the flight arrived two hours late. Instead of using an aerobridge, passengers had to disembark via a stepladder. Although Das had pre-booked a wheelchair for his wife, no staff appeared to provide assistance. “I ask an Air India male ground staff member to help us, looks at me, shrugs, and ignores me,” he shared. He further described how the airline’s staff at the terminal was unhelpful, leaving him to wheel his wife to baggage claim and out of the airport parking lot himself.

Broken Seats and Lack of Comfort Onboard

Before the chaos at the airport, Das also expressed frustration over the poor conditions on the plane. Despite paying ₹50,000 per seat for Air India’s Pranaam meet-and-greet service, Das reported broken tables, malfunctioning leg rests, and a seat that wouldn’t adjust. He felt the premium service did not live up to expectations, especially after paying such a high amount for the tickets.

Viral Post Raises Concerns Over Airline Service

Das’s viral post quickly gained traction, with many travelers sharing their own stories of poor customer service. The post sparked a conversation about the accessibility and service standards on Indian airlines, particularly for passengers paying for premium services.

Air India Responds to Criticism

Air India responded to Das’s complaint, acknowledging the delay in wheelchair assistance. The airline expressed empathy for the inconvenience caused, especially given the mobility concern. Air India explained that the delay was due to unusually high demand for wheelchairs and staff. They also clarified that the cabin crew had offered to assist with deplaning using the ‘ambulift,’ but the assistance was delayed.

Despite the apology, the incident has left many questioning the airline’s commitment to providing adequate service for premium passengers and those with special needs.