Air India flight AI2421 flying from Delhi to Mumbai saw high-intensity haggling between passengers and crew. As per videos viral on social media, several passengers lost their temper after learning the dysfunctional air-conditioning in the economy section of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Clips of passengers arguing and shouting, “This is not the first time,” surfaced, questioning why proper checks weren’t performed before boarding. They were outraged that air conditioning was working only in the business class section of the Air India plane. A man demanded the crew to “switch on the AC in the back,” with rage.
As per the post on X, the aircraft was then changed last-minute from A320 to Boeing before the passengers boarded the plane. As chaos unfolded on the scene, both the crew and passengers were left sans AC.
Huge Crisis In AI 2421 Del-Mumbai flight
Passengers lose temper after learning AC in Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner isn't working in economy section.
Aircraft last minute changed from A320 to Boeing
Unruly scenes as passengers-crew haggle.
Rohan Dua reports.#AirIndia #AI171 pic.twitter.com/cA7Qet5vDs
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) July 16, 2025
As per the AI2421 flight status on FlightAware, it was scheduled for a 2:15 AM takeoff from Delhi. However, it departed at 3:43 AM and reached an hour late of its scheduled time at 5:43 AM in Mumbai on July 17.
Aviation sector under the lens
Air India has been under scrutiny ever since the fatal tragedy on June 12. AI171 nose-dived in Ahmedabad, crashing mere seconds after take-off, which led to a loss of over 260 lives. A month after the mishap, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on the Air India crash.
While it pointed out a mid-air engine fuel control switch cut-off, the reason behind it remained unanswered. A recent RTI report also revealed that in the last five years, India reported 53 air accidents, which led to 320 fatalities. This has been an increase of over 14% as compared to the previous five-year data.
Moreover, the report also highlighted that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India’s central agency for aviation security, is grappling with a chronic staffing crisis, with over 30% positions unfilled. Not just this, the estimated financial loss from air accidents over the past five years exceeds Rs 4,000 crore, including loss to life and infrastructure.