Passengers Endure Heat on Air India Flight to Patna Without AC

Passengers aboard an Air India flight to Patna faced extreme discomfort when the air conditioning system failed, leaving them sweating in high temperatures. The incident, which occurred on May 18, prompted complaints on social media from travelers, including a local MLA. Air India attributed the delay to operational issues and assured that they were working to assist passengers. Reports indicate that the airline plans to send affected travelers to Patna on another flight shortly. This situation raises concerns about passenger comfort and operational efficiency during peak travel times.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 19, 2025, 13:18 IST

Passengers Sweat Inside Air India Flight Without AC

On Sunday, travelers aboard an Air India flight at Delhi airport reported being confined inside the aircraft without air conditioning. The flight was scheduled to depart for Patna.

In response to a social media inquiry, Air India attributed the delay to "operational reasons" and assured that their team was assisting passengers in real-time.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the temperature in Delhi reached 41.1°C on Sunday, slightly above the seasonal average.

Air India responded to a video shared by journalist Sukesh Ranjan on his X account, addressing the situation.

Rishi Mishra, a passenger and MLA from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, posted a video highlighting the uncomfortable conditions.

"This is an Air India flight to Patna. Today is May 18, and it is 4 pm. We have been inside the plane for an hour without air conditioning. You can see how much we are sweating. Children are affected, many people are affected, but there is no one to address this issue," Mishra stated, visibly sweating.

Dr. Bipin Jha, a surgeon and Mishra's brother-in-law, also took to social media to express his concerns. He tweeted, "Regarding AI2521 Delhi to Patna flight! The air conditioning failed, and hundreds of passengers endured the heat for 3 hours! My brother-in-law, a politician and former MLA, became unwell! Can you address this for the future, please?"

Air India's response to Dr. Jha acknowledged the issue, stating, "Dear Mr. Jha, thank you for bringing this to our attention. The flight was delayed due to operational issues. We have instructed our team to assist passengers as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding."

Reports indicate that the aircraft's air conditioning system malfunctioned. Additionally, Air India plans to arrange for the passengers to be flown to Patna on another flight within 30 minutes.