Vir Das steps in to support Air India as a netizen slams the airline for Lame PR stunt; Deletes post later

Following the Air India flight crash on June 12, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport and resulted in over 270 fatalities, Vir Das defended the airline against criticism. A netizen accused the airline of a ‘lame PR stunt.’ In response, Vir Das stepped in to defend Air India, citing personal reasons for his support. In a deleted post, he wrote that ‘no crew will judge you less or welcome you more,’ adding that it’s a shame their losses aren’t acknowledged.

Yesterday, Vir Das shared a post on X (previously Twitter) that read, “I flew Air India home from London. It was all great. The crew, happy to report, still the kindest in the sky. @airindia." Hours later, a netizen criticized the airline, accusing them of a ‘PR stunt.’ The X user wrote, “The only thing I have to say to whoever came up with this lame PR stunt at @airindia. This is just sad, you’re embarrassing yourselves at this point." Vir Das reacted to this, and wrote, “I should clarify. I support the airline because i have very biased history with them."

He further added, My grandfather worked for Air India. It is an airline with problems I know. I have flown every circuit and every seat class through my career. But as someone who is three world tours in and has flown every airline in every country make no mistake….no crew will judge you less, welcome you more, and it’s a shame that no one acknowledges their loss too in a tragedy. That warrants my support. Vir Das deleted the post a few minutes after sharing it.

Following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, Vir Das posted, It’s a tragic day for so many families. And all our thoughts and prayers are with them. I just wanted to add my support for the crew. I’ve flown Air India all my life. It is not an airline without problems but without fail, I know them to be the best crew in the sky. Time will tell what happened on this tragic flight. I cannot imagine how hard it is for them to do their job right now having lost their own. For the crew, just to say one stands with you. And hopes to see you soon on a flight.

On June 12, Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in the tragic loss of 241 lives out of 242 on board, with only one survivor.

Air India confirmed the accident in an official statement on X and wrote, “UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital."