‘Delay, Not Denial’: Air India Responds to Vir Das’s ₹50,000 Flight Complaint Over No Wheelchair

‘Delay, Not Denial’: Comedian Vir Das on Tuesday slammed Air India, alleging that he got a broken table, broken leg rests, and a seat stuck in a reclined position despite paying Rs 50,000 for the seat.

In a post on X, Mr Das also claimed that his wife, who had a fractured foot, didn't get a wheelchair even after pre-booking the service.

Air India, however, said the operating cabin crew offered to assist the guest, including deplaning by using the 'ambulift' assigned to the aircraft.

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The "delay, not denial" in providing wheelchair assistance was due to "unusually high demand" for wheelchairs and staff at that time, the airline said in an official statement.

"We empathize with the guests, especially given the mobility concern involved, and recognize that this experience fell short of expectations," the airline said.

Mr Das, who was flying from Mumbai to Delhi, said he paid Rs 50,000 for each seat.

"Dear Air India, please reclaim your wheelchair. I'm a lifetime loyalist. I believe you've got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write," he said.

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"Broken table, broken leg rests, her seat is stuck reclined, won't straighten fully. Were told the flight is 'newly refurbished'. Two hours late, we get off in Delhi and we're told it's a stepladder. Again wheelchair and Encalm (meet-and-greet services at airports) pre-booked," he claimed.

"I ask the air hostesses at the front of the plane to assist my wife while I carry four bags. Silence and a clueless look at each other. We step off the plane to the top of the ladder. I ask an Air India male ground staff member to help us, looks at me, shrugs, and ignores me," Vir Das alleged.

"I tell an Air India staff member at the bottom near the buses what happened. He says "Sir kya karein... sorry" (Sir what do we do). We get to the terminal, Encalm people inform wheelchair staff that we had pre-booked a chair. He's clueless. There are wheelchairs everywhere. No staff because the flight is late," Vir das said.

He also said that then grabbed a chair and wheeled his wife to the baggage claim and then out of the airport to the parking.

"Encalm lets Air India know this is happening. No one shows. Anyway. One of your wheelchairs is on the second floor of the parking in Delhi. Do claim it," Vir Das said.

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