Air India Complaints & Reviews

My parents boarded AirIndia from Hyderabad to Jabalpur on 13th Sep'16. After collecting their luggage they found that the wheel of their bag was completely damaged. Please share who is responsible for this damage. The entire bag is of no use.

Details
E-Ticket No: 098 [protected]
098 [protected]

Passenger Name: Arun Nayak and Amita Nayak.
Worth of Damage:INR 2, 500

My Contact...

I have been a member of flying returns for 10+ years but never had the online account.

Now I need the online account to book and redeem. It's a simple matter of getting ID and password but their website doesn't help (it cannot enable existing accounts, only for brand new account).

When called the center in May, they asked me to send a mail to flying-returns.[protected]@iclployalty.com with id/address proof. I did so...

I m a frequent flyer of air India and I always preferred it above other airlines, but Friday the 17th June journey was one of the worst experience for me with this airline.
I was travelling with my two children aged 8 and 4 and an infant three months old by flight number AI_753 from kolkata to Silchar. My baggage allowance was 85kg luggage and 21kg hand luggage. As children were young enough to carry 7kg hand luggage and I had an infant...

Dear Sir/Madam This is to inform you that I am extremely disappointed with what has happened last night (9th Jan 2016) at Mumbai Airport with the passengers of flight AI 945 which included my wife along with 2 kids (younger one only 7months old). As you can see the trailing email shows the flight was suppose to start at 11:30pm from Mumbai and reach Abu Dhabi at 1:30am. Following are the things that happened on 9th January 2016 related...

My father was travelling to the US with my mother, who was in a wheelchair. Three "official" AI ground staff/porters asked my father to pay money to each of them to wheel my mother to a connecting flight.
When my father refused, they stopped the wheelchair in the middle of the airport. In a hurry, my father took out a Rs. 100 note. The porters said the minimum charge was 300 Rs. As my father couldn't afford to miss the...

Dear Sir

I wish to bring to your notice that I have incurred a loss of nearly Rs 20,000 due to a delay at Air India's end. Please find attached the details:

I deeply reget to inform you that I was inconvenienced due to the delay in your flight IT 613 from Ahmedabad to Mumbai on the 31st of December 2009.

Attached are the details of my flight:
AI631 AHMD - MUMBAI Departure time: 3:05...

I had a confirmed booking from Hyderabad to Toronto (HYD → DEL → YYZ) via Air India. My HYD to DEL flight (scheduled at 8:00 PM) got delayed by 2.5 hours due to pilot issues, and landed at Delhi around 1:15 AM (supposed to reach at 10:30pm), 2.5 hours late plus an additional 10 - 15 minutes late due to air traffic.

Despite this, Air India closed the international boarding (DEL to YYZ) way earlier than expected. Even though the halt was supposed to be 3 hours, they stranded several connecting passengers, including me, without any prior notice or proper assistance.

What did they offer? Chaos. The earliest passengers were rerouted via Paris, and I was tossed into a nightmare route:
DEL → Vancouver → Toronto
That’s two transits, unnecessary stops, and over 5 hours of added delay. I never signed up for this.

No compensation, no responsibility, no proper communication — just blank stares and apologies. This airline seriously lacks professionalism, coordination, and basic customer care.

I’ll never fly Air India again and I strongly advise others to avoid them unless you’re prepared to gamble with your time, money, and sanity.

1I had one of the most frustrating experiences with Air India on 3rd June 2025. My flight AI-639 from Mumbai (BOM) to Chennai (MAA) was scheduled to depart at 10:55 PM. I arrived at the airport by 9:55 PM, and despite the heavy rush at the entrance and security check, I managed to reach the boarding gate by 10:05 PM.

Shockingly, I was denied boarding. The staff informed me that boarding was closed at 9:55 PM, which is exactly the time I had reached the airport. This is completely unreasonable, especially given the fact that the flight was delayed and eventually departed at 11:21 PM, as per live tracking data. Even then, they refused to let me board.

I was traveling with my 5-year-old child, and despite my repeated requests and the clearly visible delay in departure, the ground staff showed no empathy or flexibility. The attitude was cold and unhelpful.

Air India must seriously rethink how they treat passengers, especially in situations where delays are involved. It is unacceptable to close boarding so early and then not accommodate passengers—even when the delay provides ample time. The lack of compassion shown toward a mother traveling with a child was especially disappointing.

I hope this feedback reaches the right people at Air India. Such experiences erode customer trust and loyalty.

I recently traveled from Hong Kong to Mumbai via Air India flights AI 315 and AI 2933. Upon collecting my luggage, I was horrified to find one of my bags (Tag No: 862806) completely drenched in what appeared to be human waste. The stench was unbearable, and all contents inside were destroyed.​

This incident is not just a case of damaged baggage; it reflects a severe lapse in hygiene and safety protocols. Such negligence is inexcusable and poses serious health risks.​

I urge Air India to take immediate responsibility for this appalling incident.

Greetings,
We are a family of 7 people.
We purchased seven round-trip tickets to India with "Air India".
Outbound flight on 2.7.2024, and return flight on 1.8.2024.
Outbound flight:
The outbound flight no. AI 140 was canceled without us receiving any notification about it!
We only discovered the flight cancellation upon arriving at the check-in counter at Ben Gurion Airport.
We asked for information and to find out what could be done in order to fly alternatively.
We received no assistance.
We were directed to an international phone number in India.
We returned home disappointed - the couple and five children - after the flight we had been looking forward to for many months was canceled.
For many hours we tried to reach a company representative in India.
Finally - after numerous calls and hours of waiting - we received tickets for 9.7, and return on 6.8.2024.
Return flight:
Again!
Our return flight on 6.8.2024 was canceled.
We planned to return home after an enjoyable trip in India.
To our astonishment, we discovered that our return flight was canceled again.
Once more we had to spend many hours dealing with agents and companies.
You canceled all flights to Israel.
We were in great uncertainty.
We were forced to spend a considerable, unplanned amount of money from our pocket to purchase return tickets to Israel through another company. The tickets were very expensive; the amounts will be detailed below.
According to the laws of the State of Israel, "Aviation Services Law, " we are entitled to a refund for 14 canceled tickets.
We also request reimbursement for the return flight via "Ethiopian Airlines."
Cancellation of one ticket - 2, 310 NIS
Multiplied by 14 round-trip tickets - 32, 340 NIS
Alternative flight tickets from New Delhi to Israel - 12, 000 NIS
Distress and additional expenses due to the cancellations - 10, 000 NIS
Total compensation requested: 54, 340 NIS
Sincerely

Shimrit Hofi Baharav
Naftali Hertzel Baharav

address:

Moshav Nehusaha 149
D.N HAELA
ISRAEL

PHONE NO
[protected]
[protected]

Email:
[protected]@gmail.com
[protected]@gmail.com

I have now requested my due refund on 5 November 2024, 16 & 21 January 2025 and 8th February 2025 but have not received any contact or monies. An automatic message comes up immediately I send the email, saying "...We would like to inform you that your recent request has already been successfully resolved...".

Yet I have received no refund - can you please inform me then how this matter has been successfully resolved.

I look forward to hearing from you failing which I will have to instigate Legal Action.

Harilal Hirani

Pnr no. H7ycy, ticket no.[protected].C1
flight no.: ai-043 dated 27.10.2019
flight from maa to del
abyakt pandey with family 4 members
reason on 21/10/2019, i made 5 tickets frm my mobile number[protected] through goibibo round trip ticket del to maa
and back maa to del on 27.10.2019 & 31.Which 10.2019 respectively. In which goibibo del to maa on 27.10.2019 on right date but returning ticket maa to del made 0n same day which was 27.10.2019in respect of 31.10.2019 at 21:05 reached del 23:55 at night.
Therefore my request is to made complaint and help me out to refund my money which is rupees 32, 425/- ( rupees thirty two thousand four hundred twenty five only) with interest @18% per annum which is rupees 31, 021/-( rupees thirty one thousand & twenty one only) also with mental harrasment
which is 10, 000/- per annum which is 53, 888/- ( rupees fifty three thousand eight hundred eighty eight only) total amount 1, 17, 334/- ( rupees one lac seventeen thousand three hundred & thirty four only)
thanks & regards for claiming and supporting for my monetary as well as mental harrasment .
Abyakt pandey
r/o kailash enclave
f/ 505, sector 18
raibareli road
near sgpgi
lucknow - 226029
uttar pradesh
bharat.
Contact number- +[protected]

Air India has not issued a refund for three bookings that were canceled approximately 50 days ago. Despite multiple emails and over 30 calls to customer service, I am repeatedly told that the refund has been processed. However, I have not received it yet, and they are unwilling to provide transaction details. I have also shared my bank account statement for the same account used for booking, but they have stopped responding. Please assist on an urgent basis.

Pending Refunds:
Traveller: KHANDARE PAARMITA MS (ADT)

Booking Reference: ON3CN9
Ticket Number: 098-[protected]
Refund Amount: INR 57, 475
Refund Status: Not received from January 10, 2025, to February 24, 2025
Traveller: ADVANI MYRA MS (ADT)

Booking Reference: LFIHWL
Ticket Number: 098-[protected]
Refund Amount: INR 57, 475
Refund Status: Not received from January 10, 2025, to February 24, 2025
Traveller: NAUTIYAL RACHIT MR (ADT)

Booking Reference: OHAKTJ
Ticket Number: 098-[protected]
Refund Amount: INR 57, 475
Refund Status: Not received from January 10, 2025, to February 24, 2025

Mohit Bhardwaj
Phone No: +91 [protected]

I booked my flight a month ago but Air India changed my flight timings three times before my travel date. Then, just 1 hour before departure, they canceled my flight via email, leaving me stranded. They rebooked me for a flight the next day, but it had a 16-hour layover for a simple domestic connection, which was unreasonable. With help from my travel agency, I changed it to a better option but had to pay an extra 46 to reschedule. Unfortunately, due to an Elizabeth Line failure, I missed my flight the next day. I went to the Air India reception at the airport, where the staff initially said they would help. Instead, they wasted 30 minutes of my time, only to tell me I was a no-show and that all my remaining tickets were canceled. To make matters worse, the flight did not even depart on time. It left 45 minutes late. My travel agent said he could issue a full refund before 1 pm, but Air India wasted time. In total, I paid 972 and had to book a new flight for 1500 for Thai Air.

Getting calls from Air India regarding jobs related data entry and field staff and have to pay Rs 1399 for registration.

Date: 24th Jan, 2025
Name: Aakansha Verma
Number: [protected]

This is the mail I have sent to Air India:

This is with reference to my refund request, Case ID: 13886149, regarding my cancelled Vistara tickets ( PNR: VHTECJ ) on 4th November 2024. Despite repeated assurances and multiple follow-ups, the refund of ₹55, 612 has not yet been credited to my credit card account since 4th Nov 2024.

The following critical points are worth reiterating:

a) Cancellation Confirmation: The tickets were cancelled on 4th Nov at 11:18 AM, and I was assured of a 100% refund by Aradhana of Vistara
Vistara Cancellation Reference Number: 12177506.

b) Vistara Ticket Details:
Mr. Ramesh Taparia – Ticket No: 228-[protected]
Mrs. Poornima Taparia – Ticket No: 228-[protected]

c) Further Clarifications:
I have already uploaded the Vistara tickets confirming the paid fare of ₹55, 612 (₹27, 806 per person).
Air India tickets, as mentioned earlier, are unnecessary for this process.

I today spoke with Ms. Parvwana from your Customer Care Team on 17th December 2024, who confirmed after checking with Mr. Amit that the refund would be processed by today evening. Hope that Air India will stick to their words and process the refund today itself.

It is highly disappointing that even after 45 days, the refund has not been credited, especially when tickets were purchased with a 100% refundable fare in Premium Economy, as reconfirmed by Ms. Aradhana.

Given this unacceptable delay, I have decided to shift my future travels to IndiGo, where refunds are processed within 48-72 hours.

It is also a pity that a very good product of Vistara, rather than upgrading, all the good systems & SOP's have gone down the drain and a very good product is literally killed.

The cancellation took place on 04-Nov-2024 & even after 45 days the refund is still not made. It is indeed a shame & ridiculous that even after providing the credit card statement & Vistara tickets as a proof that for each person Rs 27, 806 (totalling to Rs 55, 612) were paid.

You also know that Madam Aradhana has reconfirmed that full refund shall be made as the tickets were purchased with a 100% refundable fare on premium economy class.
Can some person in Air India systems be bold enough and unreasonable to process this refund at once. The reasonable person & reasonable process might take another 6 months.

Kindly confirm once the refund has been successfully initiated.

Warm Regards,
Ramesh Taparia

Please help me to get this money.

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the unfortunate experience I faced at Kolkata Airport on the 14th and 15th of October while traveling with Air India. The repeated cancellations of my flight AI 769 to Delhi on both days, combined with poor management at the airport, caused me significant inconvenience and a financial loss of 233.83 euros.

The issues I encountered are as follows:

Abrupt Flight Cancellations: On both the 14th and 15th of October, my flight was canceled without prior notice, leaving passengers, including myself, stranded. We endured nearly 5 hours of waiting on the first day and 10 hours on the second day without any explanation or alternative arrangements.

Lack of Assistance and Coordination: Throughout the ordeal, the airline and airport staff provided inadequate support. There was no clear communication regarding rebooking options or compensation, which added to the distress and confusion among passengers.

Provided a Flight to a Different Destination: After hours of waiting, I was provided a flight to Paris instead of my intended destination, Milan. I was left with no choice but to accept this option to avoid being stranded further. Despite an available alternative flight to Milan with your partner airline, Air France, the staff refused to book it for me.

Financial Loss: Due to the lack of proper assistance, I was forced to book a separate flight to Milan at my own expense, which amounted to 233.83 euros.

Resolution Sought: I kindly request your immediate intervention to investigate this matter and take appropriate corrective actions. Specifically, I would appreciate:

Compensation for the financial losses incurred.
Clear guidance on the process to file a formal claim for reimbursement.
I have attached all relevant receipts and documentation to support my claim. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [protected]@gmail.com if further information or clarification is required.

I raised this issue with Air India officials, but their response was unsatisfactory. They offered me compensation of 2, 000 INR, which is significantly inadequate compared to the financial losses I incurred.

I trust you will address this matter promptly, and I look forward to your response and a swift resolution.

Thank you for your attention and understanding.

Warm regards,
Niteen

Complaint in relation to Flights AI 282 Colombo to Delhi 23/9/24 Paid Seating 9 A & B AUD $ 60.20
Complaint in relation to Flight AI 302 Delhi to Sydney 23/9/24 Paid seating 11 H & J AUD $ 120.40.

Online check in confirmation email confirmed our flights and seat allocation as per our booking.

Checking officer at Columbo allocated us other seats for Columbo and Delhi Flights despite having our Air India booking tickets provided to him. On query he referred is to Mr J A Jayswickrama who initially told us he's fix it- than after speaking to someone on the phone told us we were too old! We are middle aged couple not old or infirmed in any way, much older and infirmed Indian people struggling to get out of their seats sat in other exit row seats. Thats a major safety issue in itself as they would not be able to assist in an emergency!
Allocating us 6A&B and 16 H&J . When we said that we were not happy with that he shrugged and told us to go away.

Fellow travelling companions sat in our 9A&B seats from Colombo!

On boarding in Delhi, we advised flight attendant that we had paid for the exit row seats as seat 11 J was vacant, other people sat in the other 2 seats and advised that they also had paid for those seats! The flight attendant did not offer the vacant seat to us (we had our booking conformation available) and gave it to a man who requested it!

Staff conduct is rude, discrimatory and unacceptable. I believe that we are owed a formal apology from Air India and a full refund for all 4 exit row seats I paid for.

Hi, I would like to bring your attention to most horrible experience in flight AI- 162, I travelled to London Heathrow to Delhi with 2 kids who are 7 years and 5 years. Our seats were 18G, 18H and 18J.

Soon we got it we realised the TV screens were not working. I escalated to flight attendant, who politely told me that they are resetting and it will work. But it didn’t work for all three screens. Since it was quite long flights, kids were getting restless and upset. I kept asking flight attendant but she told me 95% of screens are not working and you can make a complaint . I ask her how should I do it? She said when you get off you will receive sms for link which I never received. When I asked for some other alternatives to keep kids busy, she said she had activity pack but not enough to give out to all the kids.

Second, the call bell isn’t working. How awful is that? I kept pressing the bell for water, when my daughter felt nauseous but no one answered. Soon I realised, something is wrong. So I had to stand and wave my hand when I see flight attendant, I complained again. She said sorry, I will keep checking on you.

Third, the table or base for water or food was very wobbly and slanted that my son and daughter dropped their food twice . We had to use the pillow to make it stable so that we can at least eat our food.

Fourth, my seat wouldn’t recline, so I couldn’t rest, I had intense back pain when I got off, I was tired as I was attending my 2 little ones in whole of the journey.

The condition of flight was disgusting, I have made up my mind, air India is not a same anymore and I will not recommend this flight to anyone.

This is really unacceptable and beyond the worst experience. I hope this issues will be taken on board and a proper resolution will be made.

I booked a flight using my credit card for a friend coming on a group trip. We all had the same dates from 21 Aug to 11 Sept return airfare from New Zealand to Delhi. HOWEVER, the webpage to fill in credit card details does not ALSO SHOW FLIGHTS, so you cannot confirm they are correct. That webpage only asks for credit card info and to confirm those details. When u click 'confirm' for the details, the payment is taken and only afterwards you can see the flights booked. Mine were immediately wrong, out by a month (21 July to 11 Aug) and so for a dyslexic person this needs to be checked before being charged. I immediately opened a case file, and instead of 24hrs it took DAYS for anyone to respond. I even called that same day, a cost to me because there's no office in NZ, and they said it's free to change once but there's a penalty??! There was no fare difference, the flights were available, but they refused to do anything but charge me 240nzd (+12000INR) to change to the dates I actually wanted/needed. Terrible service, and no explanation. Not even a way to complain, so I am here. Booking reference: WEBZSP (Roger Kenneth Holding, passenger).