Engine fault delays Air India Delhi–San Francisco flight; 47 passengers denied boarding

Air India flight AI 173 from Delhi to San Francisco experienced an engine fault, delaying 335 passengers. A replacement aircraft, being smaller, accommodated only 278, leaving 47 stranded. These passengers faced significant disruption, with some rerouted through multiple cities and eight unable to depart until the next day. Passengers expressed distress over disrupted travel plans and previous negative experiences. The airline offered ₹10,000 compensation and aimed to re-route affected travelers, prioritizing vulnerable groups.

Air India flight AI 173, a Boeing 777 scheduled from Delhi to San Francisco, was significantly delayed on Saturday due to an engine fault discovered just before boarding. The incident affected 335 passengers. To avoid cancellation, Air India arranged an alternative Boeing 777-200 aircraft approximately four hours later. However, this replacement flight had a lower seating capacity, accommodating only 278 passengers and leaving 47 individuals stranded. The airline prioritized children, the elderly, and women for boarding the alternative flight. The stranded passengers experienced considerable distress and anger, with many expressing frustration over disrupted connecting flights and overall travel plans. Eyewitnesses reported passengers surrounding the counter, demanding solutions. Personal accounts highlighted the emotional toll, including a family forced to leave an elderly parent due to offloaded luggage, and one passenger recounting a second negative experience on the route, having previously been diverted to Mongolia. Some affected passengers undertook arduous rerouting journeys, such as one who traveled via Vienna and Chicago to reach San Francisco. Air India provided ₹10,000 compensation in the form of vouchers to each of the 47 denied passengers, with an option for a cash refund. An airline source confirmed the technical issue and stated that efforts were made to re-route 39 passengers on other airlines immediately. The remaining eight passengers, who could not be accommodated on Saturday, were provided with hotel stays and scheduled to fly out on Sunday morning. Air India plans to increase its Delhi-San Francisco frequency from daily to 10 flights a week starting February, temporarily suspending other San Francisco routes due to aircraft changes.