The Delhi High Court has asked aviation regulators to expeditiously examine a complaint filed by two passengers against Air India over the quality and quantity of food served during a 16-hour international flight from Delhi to San Francisco.
The passengers alleged that despite informing the airline about their diabetes and hypertension, they were served only one hot meal and limited snacks throughout the journey. They further claimed that the inadequate food arrangement caused severe discomfort and health complications during the long-haul flight.
A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to complete the grievance redressal process within six weeks and issue a reasoned order after considering responses from both the passengers and the airline.
Passengers alleged serious medical distress onboard
The case relates to Air India flight AI-173 operating between New Delhi and San Francisco on November 11, 2020. According to Bar and Bench, the food served onboard was grossly insufficient for such a lengthy international journey. One of the passengers allegedly suffered food poisoning, dehydration and weakness after consuming the meal provided during the flight.
The petition further stated that one passenger experienced repeated hypoglycaemic episodes during the journey and had to rely on sugar and sweetened beverages to stabilise her condition.
The passengers also accused the cabin crew of failing to properly identify or respond to the medical emergency, raising concerns about the training standards of airline staff handling onboard health situations.
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Court backs regulator-led grievance process
According to Bar and Bench, the passengers had originally approached the High Court in 2021, seeking the formation of an independent committee to review the quality and quantity of food served on the flight. Earlier this year, a single judge of the court directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to treat the matter as a formal grievance and decide it according to law. The petition was subsequently closed.
However, the passengers later challenged that decision, arguing that the court itself should have adjudicated the matter instead of referring it back to aviation authorities. They also questioned whether the DGCA could impartially investigate allegations made against the regulator itself.
The Division Bench rejected these objections, observing that disputed factual issues are often better examined by specialised regulatory bodies before judicial intervention.
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Authorities asked to issue speaking order
According to Bar and Bench, the court acknowledged that the passengers’ grievances had still not been adequately addressed. The Bench directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA to conclude the complaint process swiftly and issue a detailed order explaining their findings within six weeks. The court also clarified that the passengers would remain free to pursue further legal remedies if they were dissatisfied with the final decision taken by the authorities.
