Flight tickets are pretty expensive and they can cost you a few thousand rupees. Since flight bookings are done online and are computerised, it is almost impossible to book the wrong ticket. Recently, a passenger faced a ticket mishap while flying with Air India and wasn’t allowed to board the flight.
Air India Stops Passenger From Boarding Citing Date Change
Air India is India’s flag carrier and offers flights to various destinations, including domestic and international. Recently, a passenger who was supposed to fly from Frankfurt to Bangalore experienced a date change in his flight ticket. He shared posts on both Reddit and X where he shared his experience.
In his X post, he shared that he was extremely disappointed with Air India’s service at the Frankfurt Airport. He had received the ticket from the airline which was dated Dec 13. However, when he reached the airport, he was informed that the date was changed to Dec 14, which was mysterious. Further, he received no assistance from the staff and called it sheer incompetence. He also asked how a booked flight could change without notice.
The personnel at the airport were clueless about the problem. He presented them with the airline-issued ticket, dated for the 13th (FRA-BLR). He continued hearing from the check-in worker that it was set for the 14th according to his system.
The executive rescheduled my flight for the 14th when he called customer service, apologising for the error and stating that the 13th flight was reportedly filled. Further, he was not provided with any assistance, compensation or accommodation.
Also Read: Air India Express Starts New Route Connecting Gwalior & Hyderabad With 3 Weekly Direct Flights
At Frankfurt Airport, the ground crew had little recourse. Having gone through all of this, he still had to go retrieve one of his bags from the conveyor belt. He further tagged the DGCA and stated that he hoped this problem would be solved.
Airline Asked To Pay ₹2 Lakhs To Passengers
In 2003, four customers experienced flight delays; as a result, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) ordered Air India to compensate them with ₹2 lakh.
NCDRC stated that it is the responsibility of airlines to tend to these stranded passengers. A large number of them miss their connecting flights, particularly when those connecting flights are operated by the same carrier, as is the situation here.
It further stated that, in compliance with established airline procedures, passengers are entitled to essential services including food, lodging, hospitality, and transportation in the case of flight cancellations or significant delays.
The commission awarded a litigation cost of ₹25,000 to be paid by Air India to the complainants, finding the airline guilty of breaching these duties and raising the compensation to ₹1.75 lakh (total for all four complainants).
The Case Details:
The complainants bought four separate plane tickets on December 13, 2003, to return, for a trip from Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai, Chennai to Kolkata, and finally Kolkata to Dibrugarh.
The passengers on the Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai flight were unable to make their connecting connection because of delays, a diversion via Coimbatore, and a delayed landing in Chennai.
The complainants said that although the airline had promised a 6 am departure from Bangalore to Kolkata, other plans had been abruptly changed at midnight.
Also Read: Air India Express Introduces Vista VIP Fares; Enjoy Spacious Seats & More Legroom While Flying
Comment below and tell us if you have faced the same situation ever.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia & Anirudh/ X
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