Air India Faces Backlash Over Broken Seats; BJP Leader Calls It ‘Worst Airline’.

By – Sanju Choudhary

New Delhi: The controversy surrounding Air India’s service quality continues to escalate after Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s complaint about a broken seat. Now, another BJP leader, Jaiveer Shergill, has lashed out at the national carrier, branding it the “worst airline.”

Shergill took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to express his frustration over multiple issues, including broken seats and poor customer service. In a sarcastic remark, he stated that Air India deserved an “Oscar” for being the worst airline in every category.

Shergill’s Outburst Against Air India

In his post, Shergill listed his grievances, saying, “If there were an Oscar award for the worst airline, Air India would win in every category: > Broken seats > Worst staff > Pathetic ground assistance > Complete disregard for customer service!”

His tweet quickly gained traction, with many passengers resonating with his concerns. However, it took the airline nine hours to respond. Air India replied, “Dear Mr. Shergill, we regret the inconvenience caused. Please share your travel details via direct message, and we will reach out to you.”

Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Complaint

The uproar began about a week ago when Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took to social media to highlight his experience of being allotted a broken seat while flying from Bhopal to Delhi on an Airbus A321. In his post, he questioned the airline’s direction under its new ownership and criticized the unfair business practice of charging full fares while providing substandard seating.

Passenger Reactions and Air India’s Defense

Following these incidents, several passengers came forward with their grievances. One passenger called Air India’s service “horrible and pathetic,” while another complained about paying for a business class ticket but being assigned an economy seat.

However, some customers defended the airline, pointing out that Tata Group, which took over Air India in January 2022, has been working on upgrading the fleet and improving service standards.

Ongoing Issues and Airline’s Future

Despite efforts to revamp its operations, Air India has faced multiple service-related complaints in recent months. With growing criticism from both political leaders and passengers, the airline is under increasing pressure to address these concerns and improve customer experience.

As Air India continues its transformation, the coming months will determine whether the airline can rebuild its reputation and meet passenger expectations.