Three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej has publicly criticized Air India for repeatedly downgrading him from business class to economy without explanation. The latest incident occurred on a flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru, prompting Kej to voice his frustration on social media.
Kej, who has a large following on X (formerly Twitter), shared his experience in a series of tweets. He explained that after booking and paying for a business class ticket, he was rudely informed at the departure gate that he had been downgraded with no reason given and no refund offered. “What’s up with AirIndia?” he questioned in one of his tweets.
While acknowledging that operational issues can occur, Kej expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s failure to provide timely and effective solutions. Air India initially responded by offering to resolve the issue privately, but Kej demanded a clear refund, an explanation, and assurance that this would not happen again. When the airline did not meet his demands, he threatened legal action.
Kej accused Air India of lying on social media, claiming they had resolved the issue when they had not. He pointed out that this was not the first time he had been downgraded, and criticized the airline’s lack of protocol for handling such situations. He questioned how the airline could operate safely and responsibly given the recurring problems.
Kej also highlighted the rude and unhelpful attitude of the airline staff, who seemed indifferent to the inconvenience caused. Public support for Kej’s stance was strong, with many users sharing similar experiences and expressing disappointment with Air India.
This isn’t the first time Kej has criticized an Indian airline. In October 2022, he posted a video of a cockroach on an IndiGo flight, which led the airline to apologize and promise better hygiene standards.
