UK Hotel Complains Air India Staff Taking Away Food Stuffed In Boxes

Mumbai: Air India has dressed down its flight attendants following a complaint by a UK hotel that its crew members are taking away the breakfast buffet packed in their boxes.

"We have received an unfortunate email from the management of hotel in London stating that some AI crew members regularly come down for breakfast with empty boxes into which they fill food items from the buffet, presumably to eat later," said assistant general manager (AGM) of the in-flight service department.

A warning note tiled ''A buffet is not a takeaway' was issued by the AGM, which said that serious action would be taken against the offenders if repeated.

The note read, "This may include, not being scheduled on international sectors, as we have no desire to allow the reputation of Air India to be tarnished by a handful of such individuals."

Meanwhile, a cabin crew member ruled out the habit of "takeaway" stating that, "We are dead tired by then as its 14-15 hours from the time we have left home. So we just want to crash. Unlike earlier when the layover was 2 days, it's now only 26 hours and so we have to catch up on sleep before the next flight. Even so, only a couple of us would be bringing boxes to fill and eat later. Most don't do that."

The crew member further said that room service is not provided free in the said hotel discouraging people from ordering meals as the service charge is 10 pounds.

“The menu is limited to sandwiches and with such things so one is not inclined to have that lunch/dinner every time one lands there. Since the hotel is located close to Heathrow airport, one has to take the long trip to the city to have a proper meal," he said, adding, which is why a couple of crew might have started taking some food to eat later.