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Broken Seats, Bad Food: Passenger Wins Rs 1.5 Lakh
21 Jan
Summary
- Air India fined Rs 1.5 lakh for poor flight conditions.
- Passengers faced broken seats and unsanitary washrooms.
- Airline cited as liable for mental agony and harassment.
A consumer commission has ordered Air India to pay Rs 1.5 lakh in compensation to a father and daughter. The passengers experienced severely degraded conditions during a Delhi to New York flight in September 2023, citing issues such as broken seats and unsanitary washrooms.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in New Delhi ruled that Air India was liable for the mental agony and harassment experienced by the complainants. The airline had contested the allegations, labeling them as unfounded and an attempt to gain undue advantages.
The complaint detailed a flight marred by non-functional entertainment systems, dirty and foul-smelling washrooms, and rude cabin crew. The commission directed Air India to pay Rs 50,000 each to the father and daughter, plus Rs 50,000 for litigation expenses.
Despite the airline's defense that the aircraft passed pre-departure checks, the commission found the passengers' claims credible. The ruling underscores the airline's responsibility to provide promised services and maintain acceptable standards.
