Airlines

Air India Modifies In-Flight Alcohol Service Policy

Air India Resumes Non-Stop Delhi-Zurich Route After 25 Years

Air India has changed its in-flight alcohol distribution policy in response to recent incidents of unruly passenger behavior, instructing the cabin crew to politely provide additional alcohol if necessary.

The DGCA has recently imposed fines on the airline operated by the Tata Group for failing to report incidents of disruptive behavior on two international flights. It was not immediately possible to determine the precise changes in the updated policy.

Parents let kid jump all over plane tray table for entire eight hour flight(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the revised policy, guests should not be permitted to drink alcohol unless served by the cabin crew and the cabin crew be attentive to identifying guests that might be consuming their own alcohol. Alcoholic beverages must be served in a responsible and secure manner. This includes politely declining to (further) serve a guest alcohol,” as stated in the guideline.

An Air India representative said in a statement that the company had evaluated its current in-flight alcohol serving policy, taking into account best practices from other airlines as well as recommendations from the US National Restaurants Association.

Global Airline Emirates Selects Uplift as Buy Now Pay Later Solution(Opens in a new browser tab)

“These were mostly in accordance with Air India’s current procedure, though some clarifications have been made, and NRA’s Traffic Light system has been included to aid crew members to recognize and handle potential cases of intoxication.

“The new rule has now been announced to the crew and incorporated into the training courses. The spokeswoman for Air India added, “Air India is still dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and cabin crew, including but not limited to the responsible serving of alcohol.

Source:

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.