📍नई दिल्ली | 3 months ago
In a shocking turn of events, Tata owned Air India refused to upgrade the seat of Retired Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi, an gallantry award veteran the option of upgrading his seat during his travel.
In a post on social media platform X, Retired Brigadier Hardeep wrote, “Travelled by Air India AI 2403 from #Chandigarh to #NewDelhi today and approached the crew of #AirIndia for upgrade if vacant seat is available. The crew checked up with Air India Manager at Chandigarh Mr Virender who flatly refused that such free upgrade for gallantry award winners is not anymore after take over by @TataCompanies @airindia @DGCAIndia. Kindly clarify to avoid further embarrassment.”
Travelled by Air India AI 2403 from #Chandigarh to #NewDelhi today and approached the crew of #AirIndia for upgrade if vacant seat is available. The crew checked up with Air India Manager at Chandigarh Mr Virender who flatly refused that such free upgrade for gallantry award… https://t.co/vtTXlFo4qd
— Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi,Shaurya Chakra (R) (@Hardisohi) January 28, 2025
Gallantry Award Veteran: WHAT IS THE UPGRADE POLICY
According to the then Air India policy, the soldiers who have been bestowed with military honours such Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Vir Chakra (VC), Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, will get an upgrade to business class from economy at the time of boarding in case seats are available in the aircraft from this month.
The upgrade scheme, according to the then Air India, can be availed on the production of identity cards at the airline’s check-in counters.
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Domestic carriers including Air India already provides a 50 per cent discount on basic fare on select classes on their domestic network to active Military personnel of Indian Armed Forces and their family members travelling at their own expense.
Gallantry Award Veteran: VETERANS REACT
Army veteran and AFT Advocate Col. Mukul in a post on X said, “The Staff of Air India (which has come to Tata post merger of Air Vistara with Air India) is most useless, arrogant and High headed. Actually, this is the reason that Air India went down and finally it had to be sold to Tata. It will take some more time for Tata to weed out the old staff of Air India and then only we can expect something good out of the “new” Air India.”
My take on this….. The Staff of Air India (which has come to Tata post merger of Air Vistara with Air India) is most useless, arrogant and High headed. Actually, this is the reason that Air India went down and finally it had to be sold to Tata. It will take some more time for…
— Mukul (@Warrior_Mukul) January 28, 2025
Former IAS and chief secretary of Punjab in a post on X said, “The Tata’s bought it as a going concern – they didn’t just buy the assets. Hence, they are legally bound to honour the existing commitments. It is shameful if they are not allowing this gesture to our gallantry award winners, given that it does not entail any extra cash outflow out of the company.”