Air India Passengers Exchange Blows Over Armrest Dispute

"The two passengers started an argument over the armrest space in economy class, which turned into a heated exchange."

New Delhi: Two passengers on an Air India flight from Copenhagen to Delhi reportedly engaged in a heated altercation over armrest space in the economy class cabin. The incident occurred on Sunday as the plane approached its landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport at approximately 7:35 a.m., according to PTI.

Argument Escalates Mid-Flight

A source revealed to India-based news agency PTI that the disagreement began when the cabin crew was serving food and beverages. “The two passengers started an argument over the armrest space in economy class, which turned into a heated exchange. The cabin crew pacified them by giving one of the passengers another seat,” the source said.

However, the issue resurfaced as the aircraft prepared to land. “When the aircraft was about to land in Delhi, the passenger came to collect his baggage from the seat he was sitting in earlier. They again started the fight and came to blows,” the source added.

The exact number of passengers aboard the Boeing 787-8 operating as flight AI 158 was not disclosed, but the plane was reported to be nearly full.

Air India Responds

An Air India official, when contacted, downplayed the incident. “There was an argument between the two passengers over some issue, but it was resolved amicably. They even shook hands before leaving the airport,” the official stated.

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Past Incident Highlights Passenger-Staff Conflict

This incident follows a separate report from last month involving Air India. A 60-year-old woman passenger on an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Lucknow accused airline staff of misconduct and improper behavior.

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In a letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Uma Srivastava alleged that her cabin luggage was forcibly relocated against her wishes. She also accused the crew of denying her basic facilities, including access to drinking water and the washroom, and claimed to have been physically assaulted during the flight.

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