When a long-haul flight goes wrong, it usually means a stiff neck, bad food, or crying. But actor Neelam Kothari went through something far worse on her journey from Etihad Airlines’ Toronto to Mumbai flight, and she’s not keeping quiet about it.
“Unacceptable Neglect”, Neelam Kothari Shares Shocking In-Flight Experience
The trouble began before the plane even left the ground. Her Etihad flight ran 9 hours late. By the time the aircraft finally pushed back, most people would expect a smooth ride and a bit of pampering to make up for the wait.
According to her post on social media on X, things took a worrying turn shortly after she ate her meal. She felt unwell, fainted, and needed help from a fellow passenger just to make it back to her seat. That alone is frightening, especially at 30,000 feet. But what really raised eyebrows is what she says happened next.
No Help From Etihad Staff
No crew member checked on her. No follow-up or a glass of water was offered. The absence of the duty-of-care gesture you’d expect when a passenger collapses mid-air was unacceptable.
Neelam didn’t sugar-coat her frustration. She called out the airline directly, tagging Etihad and laying out exactly what went wrong. Also, Neelam mentioned the delay, illness, and total absence of support from the cabin crew. Her post also mentioned how she reached out to customer care after landing and hasn’t heard back. For a major international airline, that kind of silence doesn’t suit.
Also Read: Etihad Airways Is Offering Up To 35% Off On Global Flights For A Limited Period
Neelam Complaints About The Absence Of Basic Service By The Airline
Her message basically said: this isn’t just poor service, it’s neglect. Airlines love talking about hospitality, safety, and world-class service. But moments like these show what really counts. In Neelam’s case, the help she needed simply didn’t arrive.
Now all eyes are on Etihad to respond. Whether they apologise, investigate, or try to repair the damage remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear that this incident has struck a nerve with travellers who’ve dealt with similar treatment. And if a fainting passenger doesn’t get a basic check-in, what does that say about in-flight care by the airline?
Cover Image Courtesy: Neelam Kothari/Instagram/X, Etihad Airways/X
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