Airlines

Air India Apologizes for San Francisco Flight Delay, Offers Compensation

Air India Alters Mumbai-San Francisco Flight Schedule Without Prior Notice

In response to a significant delay on a recent flight from Delhi to San Francisco, Air India has issued an apology and offered a $350 (Rs 29,203) voucher to the affected passengers.

The flight, originally scheduled to depart around 3:30 pm on Thursday, experienced multiple reschedulings and ultimately took off at 9:55 pm on Friday. The plane landed in San Francisco at 12:45 pm on Saturday, far exceeding the typical 16-hour duration for this route.

According to PTI, passengers also have the option to credit the voucher amount instead of using it for future travel. Air India Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Klaus Goersch addressed the situation in a letter, expressing regret for the extensive delay and the inconvenience caused.

“Please allow me to sincerely apologise, on behalf of Air India, for the extended delay in bringing you to San Francisco, which was caused by several technical delays and other operational constraints,” Goersch wrote in the May 31 letter.

Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also commented on the issue, emphasizing the unacceptability of prolonged delays. “Making passengers wait for hours, whether in a plane or the terminal, is unacceptable. If the flight delay extends beyond a reasonable period, then you must cancel the flight and reschedule to alleviate the passengers’ suffering,” he stated.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.