Social media influencer Sarthak Sachdeva is facing criticism online after allegedly faking a hand injury to secure a complimentary upgrade on an Air India flight. The incident has sparked debate about ethics, trust, and misuse of airline assistance policies.
According to claims circulating online, Sachdeva reportedly approached the airline counter with his hand wrapped in a bandage and requested a free first-class upgrade, citing discomfort caused by the injury. Airline staff allegedly upgraded him to Business Class after first-class seats were unavailable.
The controversy intensified after the influencer reportedly described the incident as a “social experiment” on social media. Many passengers and aviation observers criticized the act, arguing that it crossed the line between entertainment and deception while potentially encouraging others to misuse sympathy-based assistance.
Frequent flyers and aviation experts have also expressed concern that incidents like this could make airline staff more skeptical toward passengers with genuine medical needs or disabilities. Several users online are now urging Air India to take action and strengthen verification procedures for special accommodation requests at airports.
