An Air India traveller has sparked controversy online after posting a detailed account of what he describes as mistreatment by airline staff during a flight from Bangkok to Delhi earlier this month. The incident, shared through a video on Instagram, has since drawn the attention of aviation regulators.

According to the passenger, Abhishek Chaudhry, the issue began when his cousin, seated with him on the January 19 flight, did not receive a pre-booked non-vegetarian meal once food service reached their section of the aircraft. Chaudhry claims that when he raised the matter with the cabin crew, he was repeatedly asked to prove his booking and spoken to in an abrasive manner.

He further alleged that a French co-passenger experienced similar treatment after requesting his meal. In the video, the foreign national can be heard expressing surprise at being abruptly asked to show his ticket instead of being politely informed that the requested meal was unavailable.

Chaudhry said tensions escalated when he objected to the crew’s tone. He alleged that a senior crew member silenced him and dismissed his concerns, even instructing another staff member not to engage with him. Despite producing his ticket to show that meals had been pre-selected—vegetarian for himself and non-vegetarian for his cousin—he claims the staff continued to challenge his account and cited incorrect flight details.

The passenger also alleged that the crew later blamed him for the shortage of meals, creating what he described as a cycle of accusations. When he requested a complaint register, he claims communication from the crew stopped entirely.

In his post, Chaudhry further alleged that after landing in Delhi, he was prevented from leaving the aircraft, his phone was confiscated and checked, and he was pressured into writing a statement promising not to post about the incident online. He also denied accusations that he was intoxicated, stating that he had consumed only one alcoholic beverage and that no breathalyser test was conducted.

Chaudhry shared images of his ticket and a warning letter allegedly issued by the pilot, stating that the matter was never about food but about being treated with dignity. His companion, YouTuber Akash Gupta, echoed the claims and said ground staff intervened after landing, further intensifying the situation.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has since reached out to Chaudhry to gather details related to the flight. Air India, meanwhile, has acknowledged the allegations and said it has initiated an internal investigation.