A video showing several passengers standing inside an Air India Express flight as it appeared to move along the runway has prompted questions about onboard safety and passenger behaviour.
The footage from flight IX 1236 was posted on X by passenger Amitava Das, who said passengers were standing while the aircraft was moving.
In his post, he questioned the airline’s safety standards and asked what procedures were being followed.
Air India Express said it regretted any concern caused by the situation and reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
Hi Amitava, we sincerely regret any concern caused by the situation observed onboard flight IX 1236. Please be assured that safety remains our highest priority, and all operations are conducted in accordance with applicable safety procedures and regulatory requirements. Our crew…
— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) September 21, 2026
The airline said its operations are conducted according to applicable safety procedures and regulatory requirements, while its crew is trained to enforce safety protocols throughout the journey and handle situations that may arise.
The video also sparked debate online over whether passengers should remain seated and follow cabin crew instructions while an aircraft is moving.
Some users criticised the passengers for not following safety directions, while others questioned whether the crew should have intervened more firmly.
Das, responding to a user, claimed there was no announcement before the aircraft began moving.
Separately, Air India Express was recently ordered to pay Rs 27,000 to a passenger after a sports bicycle, for which a special handling fee had been paid, was placed on the regular baggage conveyor belt at Mangalore airport.
The consumer commission held the airline responsible for deficiency in service.
