Air India Express marked the launch of its new direct route from Surat in India to Bangkok with an unforgettable incident as passengers reportedly consumed the entire alcohol supply, valued at around 70,000 baht, before landing.
The Indian low-cost airline announced in November that it would begin direct flights in December from Surat and Pune to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, offering exciting opportunities for Indian travellers to explore Thailand.
The inaugural flight from Surat to Bangkok took off on Friday, December 21, operated by a Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The flight had six cabin crew members and 175 passengers onboard, just one shy of its 176-seat capacity.
Airline officials later highlighted the success of the new four-hour route, noting a record-breaking alcohol sales milestone. Several media outlets reported that the entire stock of alcoholic beverages, worth about 70,000 baht, was sold during the flight.
Surat, the city of departure, is located in Gujarat, a state where the manufacture, storage, sale, and consumption of alcohol are prohibited.
According to a report by the Times of India, Air India Express sells 50ml miniatures of Chivas Regal for 600 Indian rupees (approximately 243 baht). Miniatures of Red Label, Bacardi White Rum, Beefeater Gin, and 330ml Bira Lager are priced at 400 rupees (about 162 baht). Chivas Regal whisky and Bira beer were reportedly in high demand on the flight.
Several passengers shared the lively atmosphere onboard via social media, highlighting the fun and celebratory mood of the flight.
Airline officials, however, clarified that the flight did not entirely run out of drinks. They explained that some passengers were refused a third drink in accordance with the airline’s policy, which limits passengers to a maximum of 100ml of alcohol to ensure a peaceful flight.
In a related story reported on the Thai news Facebook page World Forum ข่าวสารต่างประเทศ, an Indian passenger shared a video of inappropriate behaviour by some travellers on an AirAsia flight from India to Bangkok.
The video showed passengers walking around, chatting, and eating while standing, ignoring instructions from the cabin crew, who struggled to return them to their seats. The footage sparked widespread criticism on social media, both from Indian nationals and foreign viewers.
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