Air India announced a probe after a video went viral showing a passenger claiming that he was “treated like a dog" by the crew members after being told that his pre-booked non-vegetarian meal was unavailable.
The post shared by a woman on X claimed that a passenger, Abhishek Chaudhary, who was travelling on Air India flight AI2335 from Bangkok to Delhi on January 19, 2026, had paid for a non-veg meal. However, when the meal trolley reached the last rows, Abhishek was told that the non-veg meal was “over" and a senior crew member behaved in a rude and accusatory manner.
In response to the viral video, Air India said it was investigating the matter and apologised for the inconvenience caused. “Air India is aware of a video posted on social media by a passenger on flight AI2335 from Bangkok to Delhi on 19 January 2026. We are currently investigating the matter to ascertain the allegations made in the video," the airline spokesperson said in a statement.
“Necessary measures will be taken depending upon the outcome of the investigation. Air India deeply regrets the inconvenience caused and remains committed to prioritising the safety and comfort of all passengers and the crew," the spokesperson added.
‘Treated Like A Dog’
In the viral post, the woman claimed that Abhishek’s simple request for a non-veg meal, which he had paid for, turned into a heated argument, as the crew behaved inappropriately. She also mentioned that a foreign passenger seated next to Abhishek, who had also pre-booked a meal, faced similar treatment.
In the video, the foreign national said that instead of apologising for not having non-veg meals, the crew instead spoke rudely and demanded to see their tickets, as if it was their fault. “I was treated like a doggy," he said.
Abhishek also narrated his part of the story, saying he told the airhostess that it was not the way to talk to a passenger. In response, the airhostess told him to stay quiet. When he raised the issue again, he was asked to show his ticket. He said the matter was handled unprofessionally and rudely throughout, especially by the flight manager.
The situation is said to have escalated after Abhishek said he would file a complaint and speak about the incident on social media. The woman in her post claimed that he was detained on the aircraft after landing, his phone was taken away, and he was pressured to write that he would not post online.
She further alleged that he was handed a “Code of Conduct Warning Letter" signed by the pilot, even though he did not abuse, threaten, or endanger anyone. “His only ‘offence’ was asking for his confirmed meal and respectful treatment," the post stated.
Within hours, the video crossed one lakh views and triggered outrage online. “Unacceptable conduct, Air India. This looks like misuse of authority and a violation of the Passenger Charter of Rights," a user said.
