In a shocking revelation, two former Air India flight attendants have accused the airline of terminating their employment after they reported a critical safety glitch involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in May 2024. The attendants, whose identities remain undisclosed, have penned a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to address their wrongful dismissal and raise alarm over potential safety risks in the airline’s fleet. The allegations, detailed in a Times of India report, come at a time when Air India and Boeing face intense scrutiny following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which claimed over 270 lives.
The incident at the heart of the controversy occurred on a Mumbai-London flight (AI-129, aircraft VT-ANQ) at London’s Heathrow Airport in May 2024. According to the attendants, a door on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, opened in manual mode, unexpectedly triggered the deployment of an emergency slide raft—a safety feature designed to activate only in "armed" or "automatic" mode during emergencies. The malfunction raised immediate concerns about the aircraft’s door mechanism, a critical component for passenger safety. Initially, the flight’s pilot supported the attendants’ account, confirming the glitch in the official report.
However, the attendants claim that what followed was a disturbing attempt to suppress the truth. They allege that Air India management pressured them to alter their statements regarding the incident, effectively downplaying the severity of the malfunction. When they refused to comply, the attendants say they were swiftly terminated, a move they believe was retaliatory. “We were told to change our statement, and when we stood by the truth, we were fired,” they wrote in their letter to the Prime Minister, as reported by the Times of India.
The attendants’ claims add fuel to growing concerns about the safety of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, a flagship aircraft for many global carriers, including Air India. Whistleblowers within the aviation industry have long raised red flags about the Dreamliner’s manufacturing and safety standards, with some pointing to recurring issues in its door mechanisms and other systems. The timing of these allegations is particularly significant, as they follow the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, another Boeing 787-8, which plummeted shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad. While investigations into the crash are ongoing, preliminary reports have not ruled out mechanical failure, intensifying public and regulatory focus on Boeing and Air India’s operational practices.
In their letter to PM Modi, the former attendants not only seek reinstatement but also urge a thorough investigation into Air India’s handling of safety reports and the Boeing 787’s operational reliability. They argue that their dismissal sends a chilling message to other employees who might consider reporting safety concerns, potentially compromising passenger safety. “We acted in the interest of the passengers and the airline, but instead of being commended, we were punished,” they wrote.
The controversy has sparked outrage among aviation professionals and safety advocates, who are calling for transparency and accountability. Social media platforms, including X, have seen a flurry of posts supporting the attendants and demanding answers from Air India and Boeing. Some users have pointed to a pattern of whistleblower retaliation in the aviation industry, while others have questioned whether Air India’s rapid expansion under new ownership has strained its safety protocols.
Air India has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations, though sources within the airline suggest an internal review is underway. Boeing, meanwhile, has faced similar accusations in the past, with U.S. regulators and lawmakers scrutinizing its safety culture following high-profile incidents involving its 737 MAX and 787 models. Neither company has commented specifically on the Heathrow incident or the attendants’ claims.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Ahmedabad tragedy, the attendants’ letter underscores the critical importance of fostering a culture where safety concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal. Their plea to PM Modi places the spotlight on India’s aviation sector, challenging regulators, airlines, and manufacturers to prioritize passenger safety above all else. For now, the two whistleblowers await justice, hoping their courage will pave the way for meaningful change in an industry where every second—and every safety report—counts.
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