Comedian Aditi Mittal recounts how an air hostess comforted her after father's death: 'Wherever you are...'

The post quickly struck an emotional chord online, with many viewers expressing admiration for both Mittal’s vulnerability and the air hostess’s compassion.

Comedian Aditi Mittal shared a deeply personal story about a compassionate Air India air hostess who comforted her during one of the most difficult moments of her life. In a recent Instagram video, the comedian reflected on an encounter from 2017, when she was travelling from London to Mumbai after the sudden death of her father.

Mittal began by explaining that her grief was visible as she boarded the flight. “It was very obvious from my face that I was upset,” she recalled in the video. During the journey, an air hostess named Preeti noticed her distress and quietly brought her warm beverages without asking. “I was just sitting there and sobbing and sipping,” Mittal said, describing how the gesture brought her some comfort.

After completing one round of in-flight service, the air hostess approached her again. Mittal recounted how Preeti gently invited her to talk if she felt the need to. “She came up to me and said, ‘If something is bothering you, you can talk to me. Sometimes it helps,’” the comedian said.

When Mittal told her about her father’s passing, the air hostess offered an idea that would eventually become a lasting source of solace. “She said, ‘How about this: every time I pass by, why don’t you tell me one funny story about him?’” Mittal quoted her as saying.

Following that suggestion, Mittal spent the remainder of the flight sharing anecdotes about her father’s quirks and humorous moments. What began as a small act of kindness turned into a form of catharsis. “Now, whenever I feel that familiar sense of loss or grief, I remember those moments and they crack me up,” she said.

Over time, Mittal compiled what she called a “depository” of her father’s funniest memories, drawn from that single conversation in the air. She admitted that she has since been unable to locate any information about the air hostess who inspired it.

Reflecting on the encounter, Mittal praised cabin crew members for their often underappreciated work. “Air hostess is such a non-descript way of describing all the work that these women do up in the sky in the pressurised cabin,” she said, adding, “Just shoutout to all the air hostesses who are flying over the holidays.”

The post quickly struck an emotional chord online, with many viewers expressing admiration for both Mittal’s vulnerability and the air hostess’s compassion. One user wrote, “This is literally the most heartwarming reel of the month for me. Let’s find Preeti Air India.” Another comment read, “Preeti was a better therapist than most I’ve come across.” A third person added, “This is beautiful and it melts my heart.”