First Surat-Bangkok Flight: Alcohol and Thepla Out of Stock
Air India Express' Surat-Bangkok flight saw excessive alcohol consumption, but the airline denied running out of drinks.
In a recent incident, the first-ever Air India Express flight from Surat, Gujarat to Bangkok, Thailand, saw a surprising level of alcohol consumption onboard. The flight, which took off on 20th December 2024, was a fully booked 4-hour journey with 175 passengers and 6 crew members.
Passengers on the flight reportedly consumed a staggering 15 litres of alcohol, including premium brands like Chivas Regal and Bacardi, as well as beer, all worth around ?1.8 lakh. Along with the alcohol, the entire stock of snacks, including popular Gujarati snacks like Khaman and Thepla, was also finished during the journey.
The consumption was so high that, according to some reports, the crew had to announce that they had run out of alcohol before the flight even reached its destination. A video shared on social media showed empty liquor bottles on the flight, and the caption mentioned that 300 passengers had consumed all the alcohol.
However, this claim was quickly refuted by Air India Express officials. The airline clarified that the flight could only accommodate 176 passengers, not 300, and denied running out of alcohol. They explained that there is a limit to the amount of alcohol a passenger can purchase, with a policy of offering no more than two miniatures (50 ml each) per person. The officials also stated that the flight did not run out of drinks and that some passengers may have felt that way after being refused a third drink.
The incident has sparked a discussion, especially since Gujarat is a dry state where alcohol consumption is banned. Some people on social media suggested that passengers from Gujarat were taking advantage of the situation to enjoy alcohol during the flight.
While the debate continues, Air India Express maintains that their alcohol and snack sales were well-managed and in line with company policies. The flight remains a memorable one for its record alcohol consumption and lively atmosphere.
What do you think? Did the airline really run out of alcohol, or did they stop serving more to control excessive drinking? Let us know in the comments!
