Travel

Air India Fined Rs 1 Lakh for Providing Faulty Seats to Passenger

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In an unfortunate travel experience, Retired Admiral Anil Kumar Saxena faced significant discomfort on a round-trip flight from Delhi to Toronto with Air India. Despite paying a substantial amount for his premium return flight, Saxena encountered malfunctioning seats on both legs of his journey.

Saxena’s ordeal began on his outbound flight from Delhi to Toronto, where his premium seat failed to recline properly. The airline crew attempted to fix the seat, but the technician responsible for repairs was asleep for three hours. After an hour of unsuccessful attempts, Saxena was relocated to another seat, which he found unsatisfactory given the high price he had paid.

The troubles persisted on Saxena’s return flight from Toronto to Delhi on June 24, 2023. The controls for his business class seat were non-functional, forcing him to sit awkwardly for over 14 hours. This caused him significant discomfort, including backache, sleeplessness, and fatigue.

After receiving no response to his complaints via email, Saxena sent a formal notice to Air India on August 28, 2023, requesting a refund and compensation. air india acknowledged the inconvenience and offered Rs 1.18 lakh in non-transferable travel vouchers (75 percent of the ticket value) and an additional Rs 10,000 for the return journey. Saxena rejected this offer, seeking a full refund and additional compensation for mental agony and litigation costs.

Saxena subsequently filed a suit in the South Mumbai district consumer disputes redressal commission. He demanded a refund of Rs 2,36,000 with 18 percent annual interest from the payment date, along with Rs 1,00,000 for mental agony and Rs 50,000 for litigation costs.

The commission found Air India guilty of providing deficient service and practising unfair trade practices. They ordered the airline to pay Rs 80,000 for mental agony and Rs 20,000 for litigation costs within 30 days. The commission acknowledged Saxena’s significant discomfort due to the defective seats and Air India’s negligence, mandating the compensation for the distress and inconvenience caused.

Airlines

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

British Airways has introduced its brand-new First Class seat, blending sleek design with expert British craftsmanship. Reflecting modern British luxury travel, this new cabin is part of the airline’s Airbus A380 retrofit plans, set to take flight in mid-2026.

The updated First Class cabin has been crafted to feel like a modern luxury hotel in the sky, complete with cozy touches and thoughtful British details.

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Designed by top experts from across Great Britain and Ireland—including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel, and Dublin—the seat reflects the best of British design and quality.

Features and Comforts
The new First Class seat is ultra-wide at 36.5 inches, with a bed length of 79 inches for ultimate comfort. It includes:

A multi-purpose ottoman and stowable table.
A 32-inch 4K TV screen.
Adjustable mood lighting with modes like “relax,” “dine,” and “cinema.”
A cocooned 60-inch curved wall for privacy while maintaining a spacious feel.

Passengers traveling together can enjoy a shared experience with a sliding divider that creates a lounge-like space. The stowable tables also allow for “buddy dining,” where two people can dine together.

The cabin’s flowing curves, inspired by the iconic Concorde wings, create a welcoming and stylish environment. Additionally, passengers can now wheel their luggage directly into their personal storage space, making settling in easier.

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British Airways carefully considered customer feedback when designing this cabin. The seat includes practical storage and features like a fully rectangular bed for home-like comfort. Every detail, from usability to elegance, has been designed to enhance the travel experience.

British Airways is proud to be the only UK-based European airline offering a First Class product across the Atlantic. british airways premium economy and First Class travelers enjoy exclusive perks such as stylish seats, access to luxury lounges, fast-track security, and the First Wing at Heathrow. The airline ensures a premium experience from booking to landing.

This cabin upgrade is part of British Airways’ £7 billion investment in improving customer experiences. The airline has already introduced over 120 initiatives, including new short-haul seats, free onboard Wi-Fi messaging, and refreshed lounges worldwide.