Air India flight turbulence leaves passengers shaken.

Phuket–Delhi journey turns chaotic as aircraft drops mid-air, sparking safety concerns.

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi recently experienced severe turbulence, leaving passengers and crew members injured and sparking debate about in-flight safety measures. Among those on board was passenger Shilpi Jain, who later shared her harrowing account on Instagram, describing the incident as a “near-death experience.”

Jain explained that the aircraft suddenly dropped nearly 300 feet, causing chaos inside the cabin. Seated in row 23F, she recalled how passengers were thrown against the ceiling, with some sustaining injuries. “People around me were tossed about,” she said, adding that even cabin crew members were hurt during the ordeal. Despite the frightening situation, she praised the crew for their composure and assistance, though she expressed disappointment at the lack of medical support upon landing in Delhi. Injured passengers, she claimed, were transported in wheelchairs due to the absence of stretchers.

Her video also highlighted concerns about transparency, alleging that crew members had requested that passengers not upload videos of the incident to avoid damaging the airline’s reputation. Jain questioned why the flight continued to Delhi instead of making an emergency landing elsewhere, emphasizing that passengers deserved clearer communication and better care after such a traumatic event.

The incident quickly drew reactions online. A self-identified cabin crew member commented that turbulence, particularly clear-air turbulence (CAT), is unpredictable and can occur on any airline, stressing that the crew’s priority was ensuring a safe landing. Others echoed similar sentiments, sharing personal experiences of turbulence on different carriers and reminding passengers always to keep seat belts fastened, even when the sign is off. Many pointed out that turbulence is typically linked to weather conditions rather than mechanical faults.

While Jain’s account raised concerns about post-landing medical arrangements, several commenters urged passengers to appreciate the pilots and crew who managed to land the aircraft safely despite the unexpected drop. The episode underscores the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of safety protocols, while also highlighting passengers’ expectations for transparency and care during emergencies.