Neelesh Misra claims IndiGo hostess was rude to his daughter, called her 'finicky eater'. Airline responds

After conducting an internal review, the airline issued a longer statement disputing the allegation.

Writer and audio storyteller Neelesh Misra has accused IndiGo of inappropriate behaviour by a cabin crew member towards his 10-year-old daughter while she was travelling alone as an unaccompanied minor, prompting widespread reaction on social media and a formal response from the airline.

Misra raised the issue in a post on X, where he described his daughter’s experience during a flight from Lucknow to Goa. According to him, the child was spoken to harshly by an IndiGo staff member while she was under the airline’s unaccompanied minor service.

In his post, Misraalleged that the crew member made remarks that he described as insulting and distressing for a child. He claimed the staffer referred to his daughter as a “finicky eater” and said to her, “Don’t you have eyes? Go, go eat! Go and miss your flight!”

“This and a barrage of other rude things is what the @IndiGo6E staffer (Laraib?) said about my 10-year-old daughter,” Misra wrote. He went on to say that the incident reflected what he characterised as the airline’s dismissive attitude, adding that this time it was directed at a child rather than an adult passenger.

Misra said he contacted the staff member directly but found no change in her behaviour. He also tagged the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s AirSewa account while sharing his complaint publicly. He noted that he became aware of the interaction because he had given his daughter a basic feature phone for emergencies during the journey.

#Indigo

“This girl is getting on my nerves. She is such a finicky eater! …” “Don’t you have eyes? Go, go eat! Go and miss your flight!” This and a barrage of other rude things is what the @IndiGo6E staffer (Laraib?) said about my 10-yr-old daughter Vaidehi Misra who just… — Neelesh Misra (@neeleshmisra) January 13, 2026

IndiGo initially responded to the post on X, stating: “Please be assured that we are taking this matter on priority and are reviewing the details thoroughly.”

Subsequently, after conducting an internal review, the airline issued a longer statement disputing the allegation. IndiGo said the child “was cared for and assisted throughout her journey,” and that its staff remained “courteous, attentive and supportive at all times.”

The airline said that its unaccompanied minor protocol had been followed without deviation and that the child was under continuous supervision during her time at the airport and on board the aircraft.

I understand your need to defend your employee and your protocols. It is predictable. Your detailed account doesn’t address any of the concerns I raised. That said, I don’t wish to waste any of your or others users’ social media time. I would only advise parents sending their… https://t.co/Zowi3pimE2 — Neelesh Misra (@neeleshmisra) January 14, 2026

Addressing the specific issue raised by Misra, IndiGo said that as boarding time neared, the child expressed a wish to visit nearby food outlets. “Despite the limited time available, our team members waited patiently, escorted her safely and ensured that she boarded the flight,” the airline said.

Misra rejected the explanation, stating that the response did not address the behaviour he had highlighted. “I understand your need to defend your employee and your protocols. It is predictable,” he wrote. He also advised parents to exercise caution when sending children to travel alone.

The episode triggered extensive discussion online, with many users expressing concern over the alleged treatment of a child travelling without family.

One user wrote, “This is just awful. Poor kid, she must be so traumatised.” Another commented, “I am shocked. As an ex flight attendant, I can tell you that when there is a lone minor, extra care is always taken. Not done.”

Several others described the alleged behaviour as “shocking”, “unacceptable” and “deeply concerning”.