Airlines

Air India Cancels NY-Delhi Flight to Retrieve Stranded Indian Cricket Team from Barbados

Air India faced scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after a scheduled commercial flight from New York to Delhi was allegedly cancelled to accommodate the victorious Indian T20 World Cup team stranded in Barbados.

The incident sparked controversy when passengers slated for the New York-Delhi flight were abruptly informed of its cancellation, reportedly to prioritize a chartered flight for the cricket team.

As Bridgetown Grantley Adams International Airport, (BGI/TBPB) becomes operational, India sent a Private chartered plane Boeing 777-237(LR) "Avijit" from Air India to bring back its world champion team (Men's Cricket T20 World Cup 2024), those stuck in Barbados due to category 5… pic.twitter.com/Vdqvef8bSB
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) July 3, 2024

Ajay Awtaney, a passenger affected by the cancellation, voiced his frustration on social media, sharing details of his disrupted travel plans. He claimed the commercial flight was sacrificed for a specially arranged charter, dubbed AIC24WC (Air India Champions 24 World Cup), arranged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to swiftly bring the team back to India following their triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Amidst growing concerns over flight prioritization and adherence to civil aviation regulations, the DGCA intervened, directing Air India to submit a comprehensive report to clarify the circumstances leading to the flight cancellation.

Aviation expert Mohan Ranganathan emphasized the seriousness of such incidents, highlighting potential violations of DGCA’s civil aviation rules (CAR). The special charter flight, facilitated by Air India amidst impending weather challenges, departed Barbados early morning local time, with a scheduled arrival in New Delhi anticipated the following day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to honor the returning champions upon their arrival, followed by celebratory events in Mumbai commemorating India’s first T20 World Cup victory in over a decade.

Airlines

These 6 Airlines Are Giving You Free Wi-Fi on Your 2025 Flights

In a world where staying connected is more important than ever, airlines are stepping up their game by offering passengers free Wi-Fi during their flights.

Gone are the days of paying exorbitant fees to check your emails or scroll through social media at 30,000 feet. Staying connected during a flight is becoming easier than ever, and in 2025, wireless password wifi airport and several airlines are taking it a step further by offering free Wi-Fi for their passengers.

Why Elon Musk Believes the F-35 Stealth Jet Is Obsolete – Here’s Why

Here’s a look at six airlines that are leading the way in offering free high-speed internet for everyone on board.

1.Air France
Starting in the summer of 2025, Air France is teaming up with Starlink to offer ultra-fast Wi-Fi on all its flights. The service promises a “ground-like” internet experience and will be available free of charge for passengers in all cabin classes. To access the Wi-Fi, passengers can log in using their Flying Blue loyalty program accounts.
2.Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines made history as the first U.S. airline to partner with Starlink back in 2022. By September 2024, the airline successfully installed the high-speed Wi-Fi on all of its Airbus aircraft. With this partnership, airport wifi passwords passengers can enjoy reliable internet throughout their flight.
3.JetBlue
JetBlue has been a pioneer in offering free Wi-Fi to its passengers. The Boston-based airline was the first major carrier to provide free Wi-Fi for all its customers, regardless of cabin class. The service is powered by ViaSat, ensuring that JetBlue passengers stay connected even in the sky.
Virgin Australia Launches Black Friday Sale on Flights Worldwide
4.Delta Air Lines
Delta is rolling out fast, free Wi-Fi across its fleet, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile. As of 2025, SkyMiles® Members on most domestic flights can enjoy free Wi-Fi. The airline is also working to extend this service to its international and regional routes, ensuring more passengers can stay connected.
5.Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand is one of the first international airlines to offer free Wi-Fi, thanks to its partnership with Starlink. The airline has already rolled out free Wi-Fi on many of its flights, allowing passengers to enjoy seamless internet access while traveling to and from New Zealand.
6.China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines offers free Wi-Fi on select flights to and from major U.S. cities, including San Francisco and Chicago. American passengers flying on these routes can stay connected with no extra cost during their journey.