Air India Passenger Claims Crew Misconduct Over Meal Request
French flier says rude staff made him feel like a “dog”; Indian passenger alleges threats and unprofessional behavior.
An explosive allegation of cabin crew misconduct has emerged from an Air India international flight from Bangkok to Delhi on January 19, 2026. Passenger Abhishek Chaudhry, traveling with his cousin, recorded a video onboard detailing how the crew allegedly mishandled a pre-booked non-vegetarian meal request, leading to heated exchanges, threats, and a formal warning from the pilot.
According to Chaudhry, when he and a French passenger seated next to him inquired about the missing non-veg meal, the crew—led by staff member Meenakshi Chaturvedi—responded rudely, demanded tickets repeatedly, accused them of returning meals, and refused further discussion. The French passenger, visibly upset, told the camera in broken Hindi and English: “They spoke very tough to me. I felt like a dog in 33 years… Kutta nahi hu” (I’m not a dog). Chaudhry claimed his 22-year-old cousin went without food the entire flight, calling the treatment disrespectful to both him and the foreigner.
Chaudhry further alleged that other passengers accused him of siding with a foreigner, escalating tensions, though he insisted the issue was purely about crew conduct and respect, not racism. He requested the flight logbook to file a complaint but was denied. After landing, he claimed crew members threatened him, attempted to forcibly check his phone, and violated privacy.
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The pilot, Tushar Singh, issued a written warning to Chaudhry, stating his actions disturbed other passengers. Chaudhry called this a dangerous precedent against legitimate complaints.
Air India responded by confirming awareness of the viral video and initiating an internal investigation. A spokesperson stated: “We are currently investigating the matter to ascertain the allegations… Necessary measures will be taken depending upon the outcome of the investigation. Air India deeply regrets the inconvenience caused and remains committed to prioritising the safety and comfort of all passengers and the crew.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has reportedly contacted the passenger for details of the journey and incident, sources said. The episode has sparked online debate about passenger rights, in-flight service standards, and the handling of meal-related grievances on long-haul flights.
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