Doctor Claims IndiGo Crew Ignored Emergency Call and Delayed Pre-Booked Meal; Airline Reacts

A recent incident aboard an IndiGo flight has led to strong criticism from a Delhi-based doctor, who accused the airline of poor service, including a delayed pre-booked meal and an ignored emergency call. Dr. Suvrankar Datta, a former radiologist at AIIMS Delhi, shared his distressing experience on social media platform X, describing his flight from Bengaluru to Delhi as a “nightmare” that could have resulted in serious health consequences.

According to Dr. Datta, the incident began when he pre-booked a sandwich for his flight, as he is pre-diabetic and relies on timely meals to manage his blood sugar levels. Despite his preparations, the crew failed to serve him the meal at the designated time, and after multiple requests, he was forced to wait for more than two hours. The meal was eventually served only as the plane began its descent into Delhi, but the doctor was further dissatisfied to receive an incorrect beverage.

In his post, Dr. Datta emphasized the importance of timely meals for individuals with medical conditions, particularly those with hypoglycemia, like himself. He noted that while waiting for his meal, his symptoms of hypoglycemia worsened, and he had to rely on a fellow passenger’s sandwich to alleviate his discomfort. At one point, Dr. Datta activated his emergency call light, but the crew allegedly ignored it for nearly 30 minutes. He questioned how the situation would have been handled had he been facing a true medical emergency.

“I couldn’t help but wonder how the situation would have been handled if I were in true medical emergency!” Dr. Datta wrote on X, highlighting the crew’s lack of professionalism.

Dr. Datta’s ordeal worsened when, after receiving his meal, he was served the wrong beverage—a cup of black coffee instead of black tea, which he had requested. By this time, he was too weak from his hypoglycemia to argue.

IndiGo responded to Dr. Datta’s complaint, apologizing for the delay and inconvenience caused. “We sincerely apologize for the delay in serving your pre-booked meal and the inconvenience this caused,” the airline stated. “At IndiGo, we are committed to understanding and prioritizing our customers’ needs and comfort. Please be assured that we take your feedback seriously and have taken the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence.”

While IndiGo expressed regret over the incident, Dr. Datta made it clear that he was considering escalating the matter to the National Consumer Forum. He criticized the airline for its unprofessionalism and arrogance, particularly given the potential health risks the situation posed.

This incident has reignited concerns about the quality of inflight service, particularly in situations where passengers may have medical conditions that require careful attention.

Sources By Agencies