Pune Man Shares Ordeal with Air India, Highlights Delays and Unhygienic Conditions; Airline Reacts

A Pune-based author Aditya Kondawar, recently took to social media to express his frustration with Air India Express following a harrowing flight experience.

Kondawar, who is an author and Vice President at Compcircle, recounted his ordeal on a late-night flight (IX 974) from Bengaluru to Pune. According to his posts on social media platform X, the flight, scheduled for 9:50 PM, eventually departed around 12:15-12:20 AM, resulting in a substantial delay.

Detailing the unpleasant conditions onboard, Kondawar described the seats as dirty and stained, accompanied by a foul odor throughout the cabin. He expressed dismay over the state of the aircraft, comparing it unfavorably to his expectations, particularly considering Air India Express’s association with the Tata Group, known for its commitment to high standards.

In his social media post directed at Air India Express, Kondawar emphasized his disappointment, stating unequivocally that he would avoid flying with the airline in the future, even if it meant paying significantly more to choose alternative carriers that prioritize punctuality and passenger comfort.

In response, Air India Express acknowledged the complaint and assured Kondawar and other passengers that steps would be taken to address the issues raised.

The airline attributed the delay to reasons beyond their control but acknowledged the need for improvement in service delivery.

This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Air India’s operational efficiency and service quality. Earlier this year, the airline faced similar criticisms, including delays on international routes and complaints regarding food quality and cleanliness on board. The Aviation Ministry had previously issued a show-cause notice to Air India following a significant delay on a Delhi-San Francisco flight, underscoring broader concerns about the airline’s performance.

As Air India Express works to address these issues, passengers like Kondawar hope for tangible improvements in service standards to restore confidence in the airline’s reliability and customer satisfaction.