Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Air India Ordered to Pay Rs 1.5 Lakh for Poor Service
A father and his daughter had a very bad experience on an Air India flight from Delhi to New York.
They complained about broken seats, dirty bathrooms, and unfriendly crew.
The court agreed with them and told Air India to pay them Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation.
Air India said the plane was checked before the flight and the complaints were because they couldn't upgrade to business class.
But the court didn't believe Air India and said they should have answered the complaints properly.
The court also said that airlines must follow the rules set by the government to make sure passengers have a good experience.
Air India ordered to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to a father and daughter for poor service on a Delhi-New York flight.
Complaints included broken seats, filthy toilets, unresponsive crew, poor food quality, and inoperative entertainment.
Air India defended by stating the aircraft passed pre-departure checks and suggested complaints were due to a denied upgrade.
The court found Air India's defense weak and noted their failure to respond to a legal notice.
Compensation awarded for harassment and mental agony, with Rs 50,000 each for the father and daughter, and Rs 50,000 for litigation expenses.
- Who
- Shailendra Bhatnagar and his daughter
- What
- Air India fined for poor service on a Delhi-New York flight
- When
- Incident in September 2023, ruling on January 21, 2026
- Where
- Delhi-New York-Delhi flight
- Why
- For deficiency of service and mental agony caused to passengers
- Complainant
- Shailendra Bhatnagar and his daughter
- Flight Route
- Delhi-New York-Delhi
- Issues Reported
- Broken seats, filthy toilets, unresponsive crew, poor food, inoperative entertainment
- Compensation Awarded
- Rs 1.5 lakh
- Airline's Defense
- Aircraft passed pre-departure checks, complaints due to denied upgrade
- Court's Observation
- Airline's silence on allegations indicated lack of valid rebuttal
- Date of Incident
- September 2023
- Date of Ruling
- January 21, 2026
Sources
'Broken Seats, Filthy Toilets, Callous Crew': Consumer Court Asks Air India To Pay Rs 1.5 L To Father-Daughter Duo
Air India slapped with Rs 1.5 lakh fine for foul smell, bad food, broken seats
15-hour ‘nightmare’ to New York: Why a Delhi consumer forum just ordered Air India to pay this passenger Rs 1.5 lakh
Air India told to pay Rs 1.5L to 2 pax for poor services
Delhi consumer forum directs Air India to pay Rs 1.5 lakh compensation for poor services
Air India Told to Pay Rs 1.5 Lakh Compensation For Poor Services
