Air India Express' Surat-Bangkok Debut Flight Runs Dry Mid-Air As Passengers Gulp Down Alcohol Worth ₹1.8 Lakh

Air India Express launched its inaugural direct flight from Surat, Gujarat, to Bangkok on Friday. The fully booked flight gained attention on social media after passengers shared videos of their onboard experience.

Reports suggest that passengers consumed around 15 litres of premium alcoholic beverages, including Chivas Regal, Bacardi, and beer, valued at ₹1.8 lakh.

Photo Credit: WISE

The consumption was so high that the crew had to announce they had run out of alcohol before reaching Bangkok.

The journey also stood out for its culinary aspects, as passengers brought traditional Gujarati snacks such as thepla and khaman, along with pizza and other items. These personal food items complemented the onboard refreshments, all of which were consumed during the 4-hour flight.

However, some social media users questioned aspects of the initial reports. Several comments pointed out inconsistencies, particularly regarding the reported passenger count of 300.

One user remarked, "The aircraft, whether an Airbus or Boeing 737, cannot accommodate 300 passengers. The maximum capacity would be around 176 passengers. Even with this number, the alcohol consumption averages to about 85ml per passenger over the 4-hour flight."

The incident sparked debate about Gujarat's prohibition policy, with one user stating, "This is a clear indicator that Gujarat residents can and want to consume alcohol. Perhaps it's time for the state to review its prohibition policy and potentially generate revenue through regulated alcohol sales, especially considering the ongoing illicit trade in the state."

Others viewed the incident from a cultural perspective, with one user commenting, "Gujarati people always make the most out of everything, and they certainly demonstrated that here."