While flight journeys are often a joyful experience for kids, six-year-old Aavani had a nightmare of sorts when she had to travel without a seat all the way from Sharjah to Karipur on board an Air India Express flight.
Aavani along with her mother Anagha was returning home after visiting her father Deepesh in UAE when she had this bitter experience. The family is from Thalassery in Kannur district
The mother-daughter duo boarded an Air India Express (IX 354) flight from Sharjah. The tickets were booked through a travel agent. Anagha said the airline staff did not inform them about unavailability of seats while taking boarding pass.
As they boarded the flight, Anagha noticed that some other persons have occupied their seats. When enquired, they said they have been asked to sit there by the staff.
Following this, Anagha occupied a vacant seat and the child had to sit between two seats. She had to sit on the lap of a co-passenger, seated next to her mother, during the take-off and landing as she could not wear a seat belt.
Anagha tried to lodge a complaint with the airline after alighting at Karipur. However, the staff asked her to send an e-mail.
