A video capturing a heated exchange between an Indian airline crew member and a passenger has gone viral, sparking mixed reactions from viewers. The mid-air argument took place on a flight from Istanbul to Delhi, with fellow passengers witnessing the confrontation unfold.

Air travel is often chosen for its convenience over long distances, and airlines strive to provide the best service to ensure customer satisfaction. However, unforeseen conflicts can sometimes arise, leading to tense situations for both passengers and crew. A similar incident occurred aboard an IndiGo flight in late 2022, drawing widespread attention.

On December 16, 2022, an argument erupted on IndiGo flight 6E 12 from Istanbul to Delhi. A female flight attendant confronted a male passenger, asking him not to raise his voice or point his finger at her after he allegedly caused distress to another crew member. The situation quickly escalated as she attempted to assert herself but was interrupted mid-sentence.

In a video of the incident, the flight attendant can be seen trying to explain her position to the passenger, whose face remains unseen. Her colleague stood beside her, offering support as she addressed the situation. When the passenger interrupted, asking, “Why are you yelling?” she responded, “Because you are yelling at us.” 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.”

As the exchange intensified, the male passenger demanded to know how he had disrespected the crew. The flight attendant pointed out that he had been pointing fingers at them. The argument escalated further when the man shouted, “Shut up!” prompting the flight attendant to respond sharply, “You shut up! I’m sorry, you cannot talk to me like that… I’m an employee, I am not your servant.” Following this, she put her face mask back on and walked away, accompanied by her colleague, leaving onlookers stunned by the confrontation.

IndiGo later released a statement clarifying that the dispute had stemmed from a disagreement over meal choices. The airline explained that the passenger had requested a meal that was not pre-ordered before the flight, and the attendant had attempted to explain that only a limited number of meals were loaded according to prior requests. However, the conversation was cut short, leading to the confrontation.

Reports from an Indian media outlet stated that the passenger had asked for a sandwich. When the crew assured him they would check for availability, he reportedly became agitated, leading to a crew member becoming visibly upset.

The video of the altercation quickly gained traction on Twitter, amassing over 4.5 million views and receiving more than 17,000 likes. While some criticized the flight attendant for losing her composure, many online users came to her defense, commending her for standing up against what they perceived as disrespectful behavior.

One user wrote, “Good for her for taking a stand and snapping at an obnoxious, entitled passenger.” Another commented, “The crew deserves equal respect.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one saying, “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.”

Some, however, believed the situation could have been handled differently. One user pointed out, “The crew 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 passenger was further disruptive, informed security before landing.”

Another person expressed disapproval, stating, “Shocking behavior from the crew member. If she loses her cool with a passenger, how can she be expected to handle an 8-9 hour flight? IndiGo must seek an explanation from the air hostess & give her some training on how to handle her temper!”

The incident has ignited debate over professionalism, passenger conduct, and the challenges airline staff face while maintaining order during flights. Whether one views the flight attendant’s response as justified or inappropriate, the incident has sparked important discussions on the treatment of service workers and the balance between assertiveness and professionalism in high-pressure situations.