Water drips from overhead bins in Air India flight; Airline releases statement soon after

By: Pune Pulse

December 1, 2023

Pune: Passengers on an Air India flight from Gatwick to Amritsar experienced an unpleasant incident as water leaked from the overhead bins onto the seats. Several videos of the water leakage have circulated online and gained significant attention.

Soon after, the airline issued a statement regarding the situation. In a video shared by the user @baldwhiner on X, water can be seen dripping from the overhead hand baggage storage bins onto the seats. Cabin crew members were witnessed assisting passengers by placing a cloth over the affected areas, while other travellers documented the incident.

One passenger stated, “Air India… fly with us – it’s not just a journey; it’s an immersive experience.” 

While some social media users expressed fear about the situation, others suggested that it could be due to a condensation problem. 

Additionally, some individuals criticized the airline for its handling of the incident.

 One user expressed fear, commenting, “Oh my god. This is scary.” 

Another user explained, stating that the occurrence could be condensed water from the air conditioning system, which is a common phenomenon on certain aircraft.

Another user remarked that this technical issue could potentially happen with any airline. It appears that the passengers are relatively calm compared to those sharing the video to tarnish the airline’s reputation. The situation may not entirely be the airline’s fault, although this cannot be confirmed.

It is plausible that a significant amount of frost had accumulated on the root/overhead bin structures, leading to rapid melting if the aircraft’s skin warmed up above freezing. However, it seems that the situation is improving. Typically, any resulting water would flow down the insulation into the bilge area of the fuselage and then drain overboard. Air India may be liable for any damage to the insulation in that area, which could have been caused by a rodent.

After the videos gained widespread attention, Air India released a statement stating that Flight AI169, which was flying from Gatwick to Amritsar on November 24, 2023, experienced an unusual incident of condensation adjustment within the cabin.

Passengers seated in the affected rows were promptly moved to other available seats, and the cabin crew made every possible effort to ensure their comfort given the circumstances. Air India prioritizes the safety and comfort of its passengers, and we deeply apologize for this unforeseen occurrence.