Sign up for Simon Calder’s free travel email to receive expert advice and money-saving discounts on your next trip. Singapore Airlines has been instructed to pay an Indian couple over £2,040 for “mental agony” after their business class seats failed to recline on a flight from India to Singapore. Anjali and Ravi Gupta experienced malfunctioning seats that prevented them from reclining during their nearly 5-hour journey from Hyderabad to Singapore.
The Guptas had paid a significant amount for their business class tickets, which included a stopover in Singapore on their way to Australia. Despite paying more than the equivalent economy class ticket, the couple could not fully relax during their flight. Singapore Airlines attempted to compensate them with frequent flyer miles, but the Guptas refused the offer.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad ruled in favor of the Guptas, ordering Singapore Airlines to refund a portion of their ticket cost along with additional compensation for the mental and physical suffering endured. Mr. Gupta, a high-ranking law enforcement official in India, alleged that they were not treated like business class passengers as promised.
The airline is required to pay the Guptas a total of over £2,040 as compensation for their ordeal. The Independent has reached out to Singapore Airlines for comment on the matter.