A Bengaluru-based doctor has raised several issues concerning business class seats on Air India flights, which were experienced firsthand during his journey from Delhi to Toronto on September 29. The doctor, Sundaran Sankaran, posted on X, stating, "This is your business class seat, No Seat Belt. Seat not reclining. God save us and Air India."
In a separate post, Sankaran urged people not to fly on such aircraft, adding that issuing partial refunds to passengers was not an adequate solution. He even tagged Ratan Tata, Tata Sons' Chairman Emeritus, in his post to draw attention to the situation.
Sankaran's previous contributions to Air India flights have also been highlighted, where he acted as a Good Samaritan doctor during emergencies. The doctor came into the spotlight in November 2023 when he saved the life of a passenger on an Air India flight from Delhi to Toronto. Sankaran shared articles from two different publications to remind the airline of how he had previously assisted them.
The doctor had posted on X about the incident, describing how he saved the life of a passenger onboard. He stated that he, along with a radiologist from Toronto, was called upon to attend to a middle-aged woman who was suffering from seizures and disorientation. He further explained that this was the third time he had been asked for medical assistance during his 45-year medical career. The first instance, according to the doctor, was on a Delhi to Bengaluru flight when an IAF officer experienced chest pain. Sankaran was able to provide emergency care, and the officer was subsequently transported to the command hospital, where he received treatment for an acute myocardial infarction (MI). Sankaran also mentioned receiving a letter of thanks from the Air Force chief and a heartfelt letter from the officer's wife and daughter.
This is not the first time Air India's services have been flagged by notable travelers. Grammy award-winning musician Ricky Kej also raised concerns regarding the airline's services, mentioning two incidents in recent times. One of the incidents cited was during a Mumbai to San Francisco flight on September 20, where flight attendants reportedly failed to respond to a passenger's repeated call for service.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
