“It pains me...': Vir Das pays Rs 50,000 for Air India seat, gets broken table, no wheelchair for injured wife

In response, Air India issued a statement acknowledging Vir Das’s complaint

Comedian and actor Vir Das on Tuesday criticised Air India in a social media post, alleging a series of service failures during a flight from Mumbai to Delhi, including faulty seating, delays, and a failure to provide a pre-booked wheelchair for his injured wife.

In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), the Emmy-winning performer said he and his wife had paid Rs 50,000 per seat — Rs 1 lakh in total — for the Air India flight AI816 to the national capital. Despite the premium fare, Das claimed they encountered broken seat components, an aircraft delay of two hours, and a lack of ground assistance, which forced his wife, who has a fractured foot, to disembark using a stepladder without any aid.

“Dear Air India, please reclaim your wheelchair. I'm a lifetime loyalist. I believe you've got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write,” he began.

Listing the issues faced during the journey, Das wrote: “Broken table, broken leg rests, her seat is stuck reclined, won’t straighten fully. Were told the flight is 'newly refurbished'.”

The problems did not end in the air. Upon landing in Delhi, Das said the aircraft was parked at a remote bay and passengers were required to deplane via a stepladder. Despite having pre-booked wheelchair assistance and Encalm’s Pranaam meet-and-greet services for his wife, there was no help in sight.

“Two hours late, we get off in Delhi and we’re told it’s a stepladder. Again, wheelchair and Encalm pre-booked,” he wrote.

“I ask the air hostesses at the front of the plane to assist my wife while I carry four bags. Silence and a clueless look at each other,” he added.

According to Das, he then approached a male ground staff member at the top of the ladder for assistance, only to be met with indifference. “Looks at me, shrugs, and ignores me,” he wrote.

His wife, despite her fractured foot, had to descend the stepladder unassisted. At the bottom, near the waiting buses, Das said he again informed another Air India staff member about the situation. The staff member reportedly responded, “Sir kya karein... sorry (What to do, sir... sorry).”

The trouble continued inside the terminal building, where Das claimed that the Encalm team informed wheelchair staff about the pre-booked service. However, they appeared unaware of the booking.

“There are wheelchairs everywhere. No staff because the flight is late,” he added.

Das said he eventually took matters into his own hands. “I grab a chair and wheel her to baggage claim, then out of the airport to the parking,” he wrote.

He concluded the post with a final jibe: “Encalm lets Air India know this is happening. No one shows. Anyway. One of your wheelchairs is on the second floor of the parking in Delhi. Do claim it.”

Dear @airindia Please reclaim your wheelchair. Im a lifetime loyalist. I believe youve got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write. My wife and I book Pranaam and a wheelchair because shes got a foot fracture thats still healing. Were flying to delhi.
Vir Das (@thevirdas) April 14, 2025

The post quickly went viral, drawing attention to the airline’s handling of special assistance services. In response, Air India issued a statement acknowledging Das’s complaint: “We understand and empathise with your experience and are getting it checked on priority.”

However, Das reiterated his frustration, telling the airline to “get their wheelchair.”

Vir Das, 45, is a prominent stand-up comedian and actor, known internationally for his streaming specials and appearances.