4 dni temu
DELHI- Comedian Vir Das recently called out Air India (AI) on social media after the airline failed to provide a pre-arranged wheelchair for his wife, who is recovering from a foot fracture.
The incident occurred during their flight, Air India AI816 from Mumbai (BOM) to Delhi (DEL), where multiple service failures left Das handling the situation himself.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Air India Service Complaint
Das paid ₹50,000 per business-class ticket for himself and his wife on flight AI816. Despite the premium fare, they encountered numerous equipment problems during the journey.
Their seats had broken tray tables and malfunctioning legrests, and his wife’s seat remained stuck in a reclined position throughout the flight.
Before traveling, the couple booked Pranaam meet-and-greet services and specifically arranged wheelchair assistance, knowing his wife had limited mobility due to her foot fracture. After a delayed landing in Delhi (DEL), they learned they would need to exit the aircraft via stairs, but the wheelchair service was nowhere to be found.
When Das asked flight attendants for assistance while he managed their luggage, he received only confused looks and no help. The situation worsened when the ground staff ignored his requests for support.
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
Staff Indifference
At the top of the aircraft stairs, Das again asked an Air India (AI) ground employee for help. The staff member simply shrugged and walked away, leaving Das’s wife to carefully navigate down the steps with her injured foot.
When Das later expressed his concern to another staff member, he received a dismissive response: “Sir kya karein… sorry” (What can we do, sir? Sorry).
Inside the terminal, Das discovered that Encalm, the airport services provider responsible for wheelchair arrangements, seemed unaware of their booking. Seeing unused wheelchairs nearby, Das took one himself and transported his wife through the terminal and to the parking lot.
“No staff were available since the flight was delayed. I grabbed a wheelchair and took her to the luggage area and out of the terminal myself.”
Vir Das, Comedian
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Air India Response
The Emmy-winning performer emphasized that he has always been loyal to Air India (AI) and believes they have “the nicest cabin crew in the sky.” However, the poor service experience compelled him to share his story publicly.
Air India (AI) responded to Das’s social media post with an apology and requested details about the flight.
The incident involving Vir Das and Air India (AI) reveals significant service gaps in the airline’s premium offerings and accessibility accommodations.
Air India (AI) failed to deliver basic service standards through multiple breakpoints: malfunctioning seat equipment, lack of staff coordination between flight crew and ground personnel, and complete abandonment of responsibility for a passenger with mobility limitations.
Das’s experience suggests deeper operational and training issues within the airline that likely might affect many more passengers.
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The post Air India Fails to Deliver Wheelchair Service: Comedian Vir Das appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
