Flight Attendant Hits Back at Rude Passenger after He Made Her Colleague Cry: ‘I Am Not Your Servant’

A video of a heated argument between an Indian airline crew member and a passenger went viral, amassing mixed views from netizens. The mid-air row occurred on a flight from Istanbul to Delhi, with many other passengers serving as astounded onlookers.

Airline travel is preferred by many for traveling long distances, and commercial flights are considered the safest transportation mode. While transition and layover flights prevent people from being jet-lagged, sometimes they have no other option but to embark on long plane journeys.

Usually, airlines try their best to provide passengers with the best services so they can have a splendid experience and consider them in the future. But sometimes, things can go awry, resulting in unlikely situations that can be deeply upsetting for everyone involved. A similar incident unfolded during an IndiGo flight in late 2022.

The female flight attendant from IndiGo airline. | Source: twitter.com/shukla_tarun

Trouble Ensued Mid-Air

On December 16, 2022, an unpleasant argument ensued on flight 6E 12 from Istanbul to Delhi. A female flight attendant for the IndiGo airline told a male passenger to refrain from pointing his finger at her and not to shout at her after he reportedly made her crew members cry.

However, she was cut off mid-sentence, after which tempers flared, and the argument escalated.

The female flight attendant from IndiGo airline, alongside her colleague. | Source: twitter.com/shukla_tarun

The Heated Exchange

A video of the mid-air row showed the female crew member trying to reason with the passenger, whose face was not visible. Standing beside her was another female airline worker who did her best to calm and comfort her in the wake of the unfortunate incident.

In the clip, the passenger was heard interrupting the flight attendant with the words, “Why are you yelling?” And she replied, “Because you are yelling at us.” Standing her ground, she continued:

“I am so sorry, sir, but you do not talk to the crew like that. I am peacefully listening to you with all due respect, but you have to respect the crew as well.”

The female flight attendant from IndiGo airline, alongside her colleague. | Source: twitter.com/shukla_tarun

Soaring Tempers & the Airline Attendant’s Response

When the male passenger asked for details of how he disrespected the crew, he was told off for pointing his fingers at them. The argument picked up pace when the man screamed “shut up” at the air stewardess, after which she lost her cool and retorted:

“You shut up! I’m sorry you cannot talk to me like that…I’m an employee, I am not your servant.”

Shortly afterward, the female airline worker put her face mask back on, turned around, and left, with her colleague following behind. Several other passengers witnessed the whole episode and were baffled by how things went south.

The female flight attendant from IndiGo airline, alongside her colleague. | Source: twitter.com/shukla_tarun

A Statement from the Airline

According to a representative for IndiGo, the unpleasant incident occurred over meals chosen by a passenger traveling through a codeshare connection. They said the airline was committed to providing a courteous and hassle-free experience to their customers, who had always been their top priority.

Moreover, the airline’s spokesperson noted that they would investigate the incident to the best of their ability. A closer look at the videotape from the December incident showed that the dispute came to be over IndiGo’s meal options.

The female flight attendant told the man that only a specific number of meals were uplifted on the plane—served according to the passengers’ boarding passes. However, she was cut off mid-sentence, after which tempers flared, and the argument escalated.

The female flight attendant from IndiGo airline, alongside her colleague. | Source: twitter.com/shukla_tarun

An Indian media outlet reported that the male passenger had asked for a sandwich; the crew told him they would check if it were available before he became angry and an airline member started crying.

Amassing Mixed Views Online

A video of the mid-air argument went viral on Twitter, racking up over 4.5 million views and more than 17,000 likes. The incident was met with mixed views, but many netizens rallied in the airline attendant’s support. Let’s take a look at a few comments that people wrote after watching the shocking footage:

“Good for her for taking a stand and snapping at an obnoxious, entitled passenger.”

— (Kalvapalle) December 21, 2022

“The crew deserves equal respect.”

— (sumitsaurabh) December 21, 2022

“More power to the crew! They let this obnoxious, self-entitled man off too easy. So wish law enforcement was called to greet the ‘unruly passenger’ on landing. Baffling (sic).”

— (Ax_Sharma) December 22, 2022

“Respect for basic human dignity needs to be strongly emphasized. Regardless of the job and difference in the ‘social status’ it can’t be violated.”

— (PS_IAIOC) December 22, 2022

“She is absolutely right, she is not his servant. Well done cabin crew!!!!!”

— (cardenthu24) December 21, 2022

“Hope @IndiGo6E does not reprimand the crew here. Some passengers are obnoxious and it must have taken a lot for her to break down like this. She stood up for her fellow crew and she deserves only praise!”

— (bhatiajaideep) December 21, 2022

“The CC, however justified is trained to de-escalate situations. Losing one’s temper in a customer facing role is a no-no. She should have called the flight purser and if the pax was further disruptive, should have informed security before landing and put him on the no-fly.”

— (Upintheair380) December 21, 2022

“Shocking behaviour from the crew member, if she loses her cool with a passenger how can she be expected to handle an 8-9 hour flight? @IndiGo6E must seek an explanation from the air hostess & give her some training on how to handle her temper!”

— (DharRenuka) December 21, 2022

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think the air stewardess was justified in standing up for crew members, or should she have adopted a different approach? Please share your valuable feedback in the comment section on Facebook.

Click here to read another story about a woman who claimed a flight attendant harassed and kicked her off a flight for wearing an inappropriate crop top.