Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Air India Fliers Stuck on Plane for 8 Hours

Waiting to be cleared to fly from London to ... London

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 17, 2011 12:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Stunned Air India passengers found themselves trapped for eight hours on a fogbound plane sitting on the tarmac in London's Gatwick Airport. The real kicker? The flight's final destination was London's Heathrow Airport, just minutes away. As fury mounted, police were called to keep the peace, reports the BBC. Still, passengers were not allowed to disembark. "I don't understand why we were diverted then not allowed to leave. I felt I was already home, I was in London," said one frustrated passenger on the flight that originated in Mumbai.

Fliers weren't only agitated; they were ravenous. "There were promises of food. Everyone was very hungry. There was no sign of any food," said another passenger. "By this time, after almost eight hours without any food, people were willing to lose their calmness."

So close: Air India passenger films English soil at Gatwick he's not allowed to touch until he lands minutes away in Heathrow.
So close: Air India passenger films "English soil" at Gatwick he's not allowed to touch until he lands minutes away in Heathrow.   (tuppyhuh)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Air India stuck at Gatwick Inside Shots   (tuppyhuh)
Air India stuck at Gatwick Inside Shots   (tuppyhuh)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
8%
2%
23%
0%
13%
54%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 3 comments
fractal
Oct 17, 2011 5:42 AM CDT
When an airline can detain you longer than the police, I would say there has been a global shift in power from government to oligarchical corporations.   The passengers should have torn that plane apart!   I hope they all sue big time.
Scaramouche
Oct 17, 2011 5:08 AM CDT
"I wish to leave. Do not detain me." "No, sit down." How is that not kidnapping?
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne