A recent Air India flight from New Delhi to Bangkok has become the centre of a major controversy after a passenger allegedly engaged in shocking, unruly behaviour inside the business class cabin. The incident, which involved a man reportedly urinating on fellow travellers, has ignited a firestorm of anger on social media and forced a critical re-examination of passenger safety protocols and in-flight crisis management.
Content Creator's Harrowing Account Goes Viral
The disturbing claims originate from 23-year-old content creator Shivamm Raghav, who provided a detailed narrative and video evidence on his Instagram profile. According to his account, the individual responsible was a middle-aged man who seemed to be heavily intoxicated during the flight. The video shared by Shivamm has rapidly gained traction online, amassing over a million views, though its contents have not been independently verified by external sources at this time.
Shivamm, who was travelling solo, described the episode as one of the worst flight experiences of his life. He mentioned that he frequently flies the Delhi-Bangkok route and had specifically chosen Air India's business class on this occasion to compare it with Thai Airways, his usual preferred carrier. He stated that while the onboard service was acceptable, the handling of this extreme situation left him deeply disappointed and shaken.
Sequence of Events: From Mid-Air Disturbance to Lack of Accountability
Shivamm's narrative outlines that the intoxicated passenger exposed himself and began urinating on other passengers seated nearby in the business class cabin. The situation created immediate chaos and distress among those present. The video he posted captures the ensuing confusion, with another passenger heard confronting the cabin crew, demanding, "He's exposing himself to us. What are you guys talking about?"
In his Hindi explanation within the video, Shivamm adds that the man emerged from the washroom and started urinating right there, compelling another traveller to change his trousers. He further alleged that the mess was not confined to one area, claiming he later found the floor near the washroom soiled as well.
However, what compounded the trauma for Shivamm was the apparent lack of consequences upon landing. He claimed the man simply disembarked the aircraft normally, with no visible action taken against him by the airline or authorities. "There was no accountability," Shivamm wrote, expressing his dismay. He highlighted that a one-way business class ticket on this route costs approximately ₹80,000, making the lapse in addressing such serious misconduct even more egregious.
Social Media Outcry and Unanswered Questions
The viral video has triggered a massive response online. A significant portion of users has criticised Air India's alleged handling of the event, calling for stringent punishment and lifetime flying bans for unruly passengers. The incident has also reignited debates about alcohol service on flights, particularly in premium cabins.
Simultaneously, some netizens have pointed out that the issue stems from individual misbehaviour rather than an airline's direct fault. One comment read, "Just because someone can afford business class doesn't mean they have basic manners."
Shivamm raised a poignant concern about gender safety, noting that the business class cabin had only eight seats in a 2-2 configuration and, at that time, had no female passengers. "That's honestly the most disturbing part," he reflected. "If a woman were travelling alone and went through something like this, how would she ever feel safe again?" He tagged Air India's official account, demanding to know if this is the standard passengers should expect.
As of now, Air India has not released an official statement or provided any update regarding potential action against the accused passenger. This silence has further fueled public frustration. The episode has undeniably reopened critical conversations about passenger conduct, the enforcement of rules at 35,000 feet, and the measures airlines must have in place to protect everyone on board when situations spiral out of control.
