On Sunday, May 18, 2025, passengers on an Air India flight from Delhi to Patna faced a harrowing experience after the aircraft's air conditioning system malfunctioned. The incident occurred amidst a severe heatwave in Delhi, where temperatures soared to 41.1 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the discomfort of those on board.

Passengers were reportedly kept inside the aircraft for over an hour without functional air conditioning. A video circulating on social media showed visibly sweating passengers using boarding passes and other available materials as makeshift fans. The distressing situation prompted strong reactions, with many questioning the airline's preparedness and maintenance protocols, particularly during extreme weather conditions.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Rishi Mishra, who was among the passengers, shared a video on social media, capturing the ordeal. In the video, he highlighted the plight of passengers, including children, struggling with the stifling heat and lack of ventilation. His brother-in-law, Dr. Bipin Jha, also reached out to Air India via X, noting that passengers were enduring the sweltering conditions for three hours and that a former MLA had fallen ill due to the heat.

Air India responded to the complaints on X, citing "operational reasons" for the delay and assuring that real-time assistance was being provided. However, this did little to alleviate the immediate discomfort and anger of the passengers.

Later, Rishi Mishra posted on Facebook that passengers were moved to another aircraft after enduring the non-functional AC for three hours. He criticised the airline for neglecting passenger comfort and safety and alleged that the situation amounted to a form of extortion.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the AC malfunction and the airline's handling of the situation. Questions are being raised about why the flight was boarded without ensuring the air conditioning was working, especially given the known heatwave conditions in Delhi. Some reports indicate that a similar incident occurred just days prior on a Patna-Delhi flight, suggesting a recurring problem.

This incident follows other recent reports of Air India flights experiencing issues, adding to concerns about the airline's operational efficiency and passenger care.