Vir Das Slams Air India Over Broken Seats, Missing Wheelchair For Injured Wife: 'Pains Me To Write This'

Comedian Vir Das on Tuesday criticised Air India, alleging that despite paying ₹50,000 for each seat, he encountered broken amenities and poor service during a flight to Delhi.

In a post on X, Das claimed he and his wife experienced several issues on board, including a faulty table, broken leg rests, and a seat that remained stuck in a reclined position. He also alleged that his wife, who has a fractured foot, did not receive a wheelchair despite having pre-booked the service.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/thevirdas

"Dear Air India, please reclaim your wheelchair. I'm a lifetime loyalist. I believe you've got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write," he wrote.

"Broken table, broken leg rests, her seat is stuck reclined, won't straighten fully. Were told the flight is 'newly refurbished'. Two hours late, we get off in Delhi and we're told it's a stepladder. Again wheelchair and Encalm (meet-and-greet services at airports) pre-booked," Das explained.

He said he approached air hostesses at the front of the plane for assistance with his wife while he carried four bags.

"Silence and a clueless look at each other. We step off the plane to the top of the ladder. I ask an Air India male ground staff member to help us, looks at me, shrugs, and ignores me," he claimed.

He further stated that his wife, who was injured, had to descend the stepladder on her own. "I tell an Air India staff member at the bottom near the buses what happened. He says 'Sir kya karein... sorry' (Sir, what can we do... sorry)," he wrote.

Upon arriving at the terminal, Das said Encalm representatives informed the wheelchair staff that the service had been pre-booked. "He's clueless. There are wheelchairs everywhere. No staff because the flight is late," he noted.

He added that he had to take matters into his own hands.

"I grab a chair and wheel my wife to baggage claim and then out of the airport to the parking. Encalm lets Air India know this is happening. No one shows. Anyway. One of your wheelchairs is on the second floor of the parking in Delhi. Do claim it," he said.

Responding to the now-viral post, Air India stated that they "understand and empathise" with the experience and assured that the matter is being looked into "on priority."

Das, however, curtly replied, telling the airline to "AI816. Get your wheelchair bro."