Writer Neelesh Misra Alleges Rude Behavior by IndiGo Staff Towards His Daughter
A major conversation about airline conduct and child safety protocols is currently trending across social media platforms. This discussion gained momentum after renowned writer and storyteller Neelesh Misra shared a deeply concerning experience involving his ten-year-old daughter.
Alleged Incident During Solo Flight from Lucknow to Goa
Misra detailed the incident in a post on X, which quickly captured widespread public attention. According to his account, his daughter Vaidehi traveled alone as an unaccompanied minor on an IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Goa. During this journey, Misra claims a flight attendant spoke to the young girl in a rude and inappropriate manner.
The writer specifically alleged that the staff member referred to Vaidehi as a "finicky eater" and made dismissive comments. Misra quoted the attendant as saying, "Don't you have eyes? Go, go eat! Go and miss your flight!" He described this as part of a barrage of rude remarks directed at his child.
"This and a barrage of other rude things is what the @IndiGo6E staffer said about my 10-year-old daughter Vaidehi Misra," Misra wrote in his social media post. He further expressed his disappointment, stating, "We all know about the arrogance of Indigo towards adults. Today I saw it towards a child as well."
Misra revealed that he personally called the staff member to address the issue but found her maintaining what he described as an unapologetic attitude. He concluded his post with strong words, saying, "You should be ashamed," while tagging the Ministry of Civil Aviation's AirSewa account to ensure official attention to the matter.
IndiGo's Official Response and Internal Review
IndiGo promptly responded to Misra's allegations on the same social media platform. The airline acknowledged his concerns and assured him they were treating the matter with high priority.
"Mr. Misra, thank you for your time on the call," the airline wrote in its official response. "Please be assured that we are taking this matter on priority and are reviewing the details thoroughly. Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your patience while we examine this closely."
Following an internal investigation, IndiGo released a statement presenting a different perspective on the incident. The airline asserted that Vaidehi "was cared for and assisted throughout her journey, with our teams remaining courteous, attentive and supportive at all times."
The carrier clarified that they followed their established Unaccompanied Minor protocol diligently. According to their version of events, as the flight departure time approached, Vaidehi expressed a desire to visit several food outlets in the airport. IndiGo stated that their staff waited patiently, escorted her safely, and ensured she boarded the flight without any delay.
The airline emphasized that attentiveness and support remain central pillars of their service philosophy, particularly when dealing with young travelers flying without parental supervision.
Social Media Reactions and Broader Concerns
Misra's post ignited significant concern across social media platforms. Numerous users described the alleged behavior as "awful," "crazy," and "genuinely shocking." Many expressed worry about how such treatment might affect children psychologically.
Several commenters noted that negative experiences with airline staff could potentially create travel anxiety or even trauma for children flying alone. The incident has sparked broader discussions about how airlines handle unaccompanied minors and what training staff receive regarding child sensitivity and communication.
The conversation has expanded beyond this specific incident to examine industry-wide practices concerning child safety during air travel. Many social media users are calling for stricter protocols and better training for airline staff who interact with young solo travelers.
Important Note: The details presented in this report originate from public posts and official statements by the involved parties. The specific claims regarding staff behavior have not undergone independent verification. IndiGo's official responses are included to provide complete context to readers.
