Passengers aboard Air India flight A1909 from Mumbai to Dubai faced a distressing five-hour delay on January 25, leading to heated protests onboard and criticism on social media.
The flight, initially scheduled to depart Mumbai at 8:25 AM IST and arrive in Dubai by 10:15 AM GST, was delayed due to technical problems with the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. During the wait, passengers experienced rising cabin temperatures and insufficient communication from the crew.
Video footage circulating online captured the frustrated passengers demanding updates and requesting to deboard. “We don’t trust you,” one passenger shouted, while another pleaded, “Open the door.” Under pressure, the cabin crew eventually allowed passengers to leave the plane.
Neha Sharma, a passenger, described the ordeal on Instagram, calling it her worst flight experience. “We were left without air conditioning for hours, and no one communicated with us,” she shared.
The flight captain cited a technical issue involving the aircraft’s ground jack as the reason for the delay, but passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency. The flight eventually landed in Dubai at 6:29 PM GST.
The incident has drawn criticism online, with some social media users questioning Air India’s service quality. “This is exactly why I avoid Air India,” one Twitter user commented.
Air India, which is under Tata Group’s management, is working to improve its reputation after years of operational challenges. The airline has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
