Comedian Vir Das has voiced his frustration with Air India over an incident involving his injured wife, claiming that despite pre-booking wheelchair assistance, she was not provided with the service on a recent flight. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Das expressed his disappointment with the airline, accusing them of providing inadequate support during their journey.
Mr. Das, who was flying from Mumbai to Delhi with his wife, said that he had paid Rs 50,000 for each seat but encountered multiple issues with the flight’s service, including a broken table, damaged leg rests, and a seat that was stuck in a reclined position. Despite these issues, the comedian’s primary concern was the lack of wheelchair assistance for his wife, who had a fractured foot.
“I’m a lifetime loyalist. I believe you’ve got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write,” said Mr. Das. He further explained that even though the wheelchair service was pre-booked, his wife had to navigate the airport without proper assistance.
The comedian claimed that after arriving in Delhi, the situation worsened when his wife was forced to use a stepladder to exit the plane. He alleged that no Air India staff members assisted them, and he had to carry four bags while managing his wife’s condition. When Mr. Das sought help from Air India staff, he was reportedly met with indifference and lack of support.
According to Mr. Das, after reaching the terminal, the staff handling Encalm (the meet-and-greet service at airports) were unaware of the pre-booked wheelchair, even though there were plenty of wheelchairs available. He shared that he had to personally find a wheelchair and transport his wife to baggage claim and out of the airport himself.
In response to the allegations, Air India issued a statement explaining that the delay in providing wheelchair assistance was due to “unusually high demand” for wheelchairs and staff at the time. The airline clarified that the operating cabin crew had offered assistance, including the use of the ‘ambulift,’ a device designed to help passengers with mobility issues deplane.
“We empathize with the guests, especially given the mobility concern involved, and recognize that this experience fell short of expectations,” Air India said in its statement. The airline also mentioned that the issue was due to a delay, not a denial, of the requested wheelchair service.
Despite the airline’s response, Mr. Das made it clear that he was dissatisfied with the level of care his wife received, stating, “One of your wheelchairs is on the second floor of the parking in Delhi. Do claim it.” His post highlighted his disappointment with the airline’s lack of responsiveness to their needs during the flight.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the quality of service provided by airlines, particularly in terms of accessibility for passengers with special needs. As of now, it remains unclear if Air India will take further action to address Mr. Das’s concerns or improve its services for passengers requiring mobility assistance.
Sources By Agencies