New Delhi: An Indian family went viral on social media after turning an IndiGo flight cabin into a makeshift cafeteria by unpacking a full feast of homemade snacks, serving them on disposable plates, and walking around the cabin aisles with a huge plastic bag to collect the waste.
The incident has taken the internet by storm, sparking an intense online debate regarding flight safety, cabin etiquette, and public civic sense.
Pointing out the “North Indian” family, an X user posted, “India lacks civic sense. The problem isn’t just the food; its smell will linger for the entire journey, and some passengers may not like that.”
In the video, a group of around 15 people unpacked large quantities of homemade traditional snacks like theplas and dhoklas. They can be seen passing around the food, serving it across different rows, and occupying the narrow aeroplane aisle.
One X user ‘accepted’ that when it comes to civic sense, Indians are at the bottom of the list.
“This is the reason why nowadays most of the countries don’t want us Indians as tourists. Zero civic sense, spreading filth, picking/stealing items from hotel rooms/restaurants,” the user added.
The discussion then went on to the safety hazards of the plane if it encounters sudden clear-air turbulence.
“Captain should have declared “No F&B service”… walking in the aisle, serving others is not good safety when the plane is midair. Turbulence can happen anytime,” an X user posted.
Meanwhile, another user said that ‘food allowed’ doesn’t mean it’s ‘appropriate.’
“Eating at your seat is fine, but turning the aisle into an open buffet, passing plates to 15 people, is a safety hazard and poor civic sense. Consideration for co-passengers isn’t “Western”; it’s just basic common courtesy,” he had posted.
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‘Stop moral policing’
Not all, however, were against the gala time the family had on the aeroplane. Supporters quickly pointed out that airlines allow passengers to bring dry, personal food on board, meaning the family technically did not violate any security or legal guidelines.
“Food is allowed on the flight, so they are not breaking any rules. And about the smell, does it not smell when airlines provide food?? Get out of this inferiority complex that West have planted in your mind,” one X user posted.
Another X user said that eating is a normal human habit, and it feels like the moment a person steps inside a plane, they become ultra decent.
Another X user voiced out against the moral policing on social media.
“Food is served on airlines too. Travel within Indonesia or the Philippines, and honestly I couldn’t stand the smell of some dishes — the whole flight stinks for a while. But that’s their choice. As long as the law allows carrying food on flights, I see no issue. Stop the self-degrading and moral policing,” he had posted.
Many called out the bias against North Indians in the comment section.
“Why make it “North Indian”? If it’s not allowed, blame the airline and cabin crew who allowed it. Why blame passengers for simply eating,” one user had posted.