Harsha Bhogle’s recent tweet praising Air India’s Mumbai–London service has triggered a divided response online. In his post, he commended the crew as exceptional, noted visible improvements in the airline, and urged people to support and be patient with the national carrier. He also clarified that the remarks were personal observations, not a promotional endorsement.
Passengers Share Contrasting Experiences
Soon after, many regular flyers shared that their own journeys with Air India were far less impressive. Complaints ranged from delayed flights and unhygienic conditions to inconsistent service quality.
One pointed reply suggested that celebrities often receive preferential treatment from the airline, leading to glowing public reviews from high-profile passengers such as Barkha Dutt and Vir Das. In contrast, frequent business-class travellers described their experiences as inconsistent, with seat quality, cleanliness, and service standards varying widely.
Perception Problem Persists
This long-standing perception issue for Air India continues despite recent improvements. While the airline can deliver excellent service—particularly for prominent passengers—the consistency of that experience for the general public remains in question.
Equal Service for All
As the national carrier, Air India represents the country in the skies. However, that representation holds true value only if ordinary travellers can expect the same level of care routinely provided to famous names. Public support and patience must be matched by the airline’s commitment to raise and maintain service standards across the board.
Through this tour, I did four flights on @airindia on the Mumbai-London-Mumbai sector. The quality of on-board service is a given with Indian crews but they were exceptional and I was very happy with the overall flying experience. I can see the change that they have been talking…
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 7, 2025
