Bhubaneswar: Air India has been facing significant backlash with even lawmakers, highlighting issues with customer care and operational efficiency.
On Monday evening, Odisha MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo called out the abysmal customer service of the airline after his flight between Dehradun and Delhi was delayed by 3 hours. “No help for young children/old ladies. Unhelpful & rude ground staff. And this is for their platinum members,” he wrote on X.
The legislator from Balangir said that he had expected improvement in the service after Tata’s takeover. “Maybe privatisation doesn’t really help,” he added.
One thought with @TataAirlines buying @airindia there would be an improvement. However it’s one big govt airline now with no customer service. 3 hours on the Ded-Del flight with missed connections. No help for young children / old ladies. Unhelpful & rude ground staff. And this…
— Office of Kalikesh Singh Deo (@DeoKalikesh) May 5, 2025
Air India responded to the post, saying, “Dear Mr. Deo, the delay of your flight was due to operational reasons. Our ground team has been in touch with you and will provide all necessary assistance. Request your kind understanding in this regard.”
In March, NCP MP Supriya Sule had criticised Air India for its persistent flight delays, calling the situation “unacceptable.” This came a month after BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill expressed disappointment with Air India, claiming it would win an Oscar for the worst airline. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had also blasted Air India for being allotted a broken seat during his recent flight from Bhopal to New Delhi in February. DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian had also criticised Air India after her Business Class seat on a Delhi-Chennai flight was downgraded to Economy without prior notice.
Last month, comedian and actor Vir Das narrated his disappointing experience while flying Air India with his wife in a long social media post. Das explained that he had reserved a wheelchair in advance for his wife, who was nursing a foot fracture, but the airline failed to coordinate effectively or provide the promised assistance. He further revealed that he was greeted by a “broken table, broken leg rests” and a stuck seat which refused to straighten.
