2-hour delay, stinking flight, dirty seats: Pune author says he's 'never flying Air India in my life again'

A Pune-based author and vice-president of a wealth management company has shared his harrowing experience after taking an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Pune on Monday. Aditya Kondawar said the experience has made him so wary that he would rather pay double and take a different airline next time.

Addressing a note to Air India Express, he wrote on X, "Thank you for teaching me a very valuable lesson last night. Never and I mean it with all seriousness -- I am never flying Air India Express or Air India in my life again -- I will pay 100 percent extra cost if needed but will take other airlines that are on time (only two other airline options anyways). Will take a bullock cart but not your airline."

Kondawar said his 9.50 pm flight was delayed by two hours and when he boarded it at 12.20 am, it was "stinking and the seats were so dirty and full of stains". He eventually reached home at 3 am.

"I have immense respect for the Tata group and their leaders - I expect perfection from them always and this is a disaster honestly speaking," Kondawar added.

Responding to his post, the Air India Express clarified that the Bengaluru to Pune flight was delayed by circumstances beyond their control.