Mid-Air Argument Between IndiGo Flight Attendant and Passenger Sparks Debate Online
A video capturing a tense exchange between a flight attendant and a passenger on an IndiGo flight went viral, drawing a wave of mixed reactions across social media. The confrontation occurred during a flight from Istanbul to Delhi, leaving fellow passengers stunned as the scene unfolded mid-air.
Air travel is generally seen as a reliable and convenient way to cover long distances, with airlines striving to offer a comfortable experience. But sometimes, things don’t go according to plan—leading to uncomfortable and unexpected situations. That’s exactly what happened aboard flight 6E 12 in December 2022.
What Happened on the Flight
On December 16, a dispute broke out when a male passenger reportedly upset a crew member to the point of tears. In response, a female flight attendant stepped in and firmly asked the man not to raise his voice or point fingers at her.
The situation escalated when the passenger interrupted her and asked, “Why are you yelling?” to which she replied, “Because you are yelling at us.” She stood her ground, saying, “I am so sorry, sir, but you do not talk to the crew like that. I am listening to you with all due respect, but you need to show the crew some respect as well.”
Tensions continued to rise when the man demanded to know how he had disrespected the staff. Things reached a boiling point when he shouted “Shut up!”—prompting the flight attendant to fire back, “You shut up! I’m sorry, you cannot talk to me like that. I’m an employee, not your servant.”
After the heated exchange, she put her mask back on and walked away, accompanied by a colleague who had been trying to calm the situation. Several passengers witnessed the argument, visibly shocked by the incident.
Airline Responds
IndiGo later issued a statement explaining that the altercation was over a meal request. The passenger had asked for a sandwich that he hadn’t pre-ordered, and the flight attendant explained that meals are loaded based on passenger requests made before boarding. The statement emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing courteous service and noted that an investigation would be conducted.
The Video Goes Viral
Footage of the confrontation quickly made the rounds on Twitter, racking up over 4.5 million views and thousands of comments. Public opinion was split—while many praised the flight attendant for standing up to rude behavior, others questioned her reaction.
Here are some of the reactions:
“Good for her for taking a stand and snapping at an obnoxious, entitled passenger.”
– Kalvapalle
“The crew deserves equal respect.”
– sumitsaurabh
“More power to the crew! They let this self-entitled man off too easy.”
– Ax_Sharma
“Respect for human dignity is non-negotiable, no matter your job or social status.”
– PS_IAIOC
“She’s absolutely right—she’s not his servant. Well done!”
– cardenthu24
“Hope IndiGo doesn’t reprimand her. She stood up for her team and deserves praise.”
– bhatiajaideep
Others, however, expressed concern about the way the situation was handled:
“Flight crew should be trained to de-escalate, not lose their temper. This should have been handled by the purser and security upon landing.”
– Upintheair380
“If she loses her cool on an 8-hour flight, how can she manage emergencies? IndiGo should address this professionally.”
– DharRenuka
Tempers soaring even mid-air: "I am not your servant"
An @IndiGo6E crew and a passenger on an Istanbul flight to Delhi (a route which is being expanded soon with bigger planes in alliance with @TurkishAirlines ) on 16th December : pic.twitter.com/ZgaYcJ7vGv
— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) December 21, 2022
What Do You Think?
Was the flight attendant justified in standing up for her fellow crew member? Or should she have handled the situation differently? Let us know your thoughts in the comments on Facebook.