Passenger Endures '15 Hours of Horror' on Air India's First-Class Flight

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New Delhi – Air India recently faced backlash after a passenger shared a video detailing his "nightmarish" 15-hour journey in the airline's first-class cabin. Anip Patel, founder of Chicago-based firm CaPatel, posted the viral video on Instagram, describing the cabin as poorly maintained and unfit for the premium fare of $6,300.

The non-stop flight from Chicago to Delhi in September 2024 became a source of frustration for Patel, who reported broken in-flight entertainment, a lack of Wi-Fi, and unclean surroundings. "Everything was ripped, ruined, or had mildew on it," he stated, adding that food services were subpar, with limited menu options for the four passengers in the cabin.

The video highlighted several issues, including headphones with mildew, leftover trash in the cabin, and taped-up furnishings. Patel also noted that despite multiple resets, the entertainment system remained non-functional throughout the flight.

"I was hoping for improvements under Air India's new management, but it was a deeply disappointing experience," Patel remarked.

Following the incident, Air India refunded Patel’s ticket fare, acknowledging the problems and issuing an apology. While the airline has been striving to rebuild its image under new ownership, this episode underscores the ongoing challenges in meeting customer expectations.

The video has sparked widespread discussion about the airline's services, prompting calls for further improvements to restore passenger confidence.