The Surat Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Additional) has directed low-cost airline SpiceJet to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation to a Surat resident after his eight-year-old son suffered burn injuries when a cup of hot noodles spilled on him during a Delhi-Surat flight in 2021.
The consumer forum found that there was a deficiency in service on the part of the airline after a faulty tray table allegedly collapsed, causing the hot food to fall onto the child. The commission awarded Rs 15,000 towards medical expenses and Rs 5,000 as compensation for physical and mental suffering, along with litigation costs.
Incident Happened During Delhi-Surat Flight
According to the complaint filed by the boy’s father, the family was travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-8382 from Delhi to Surat on November 20, 2021.
During the flight, the father ordered a cup of noodles for his son, who was seated by the window. As a cabin crew member placed the noodles on the tray table in front of the child, the father reportedly warned her that the tray appeared faulty and could break.
Despite the warning, the crew member allegedly assured him that the tray was secure.
Within minutes, the tray gave way, causing the hot noodles to spill onto the child’s leg. The complaint stated that the boy suffered severe burn injuries as a result of the incident.
Family Alleges Delay in First Aid
The complainant further alleged that when he requested a first-aid kit, the cabin crew was unable to provide one immediately.
Until the flight landed in Surat, the father applied an ointment that he already had with him to treat the burns. After landing, the child was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery four days later.
The family claimed to have incurred medical expenses amounting to Rs 96,259 due to the treatment.
Airline Offered Travel Vouchers
Following the incident, the father emailed SpiceJet photographs of the broken tray, the flight’s PNR details and other supporting documents.
In response, the airline stated that the noodles had been mistakenly served to a young passenger. SpiceJet maintained that first aid had been provided on board, apologised for the inconvenience and offered future travel vouchers worth Rs 500 per passenger.
According to the report, SpiceJet did not respond to further queries before publication.
SpiceJet Denied Negligence
During the proceedings before the consumer commission, SpiceJet denied any negligence.
The airline argued that the noodles had been allowed to cool for a few minutes before being served. It also claimed that the child himself reached out to collect the noodles from the cabin crew, which resulted in the spill.
Based on these arguments, the airline contended that it was not responsible for the incident.
Consumer Forum Holds Airline Responsible
After examining the evidence presented by both sides, the Surat Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission concluded that there was a clear deficiency in service on the airline’s part.
The commission observed that the child sustained burn injuries because of the incident and acknowledged that the complainant had incurred treatment expenses.
However, since documentary evidence supporting the full medical claim of Rs 96,259 was not submitted, the commission awarded a lump sum of Rs 15,000 towards treatment expenses instead of the entire claimed amount.
In addition, the forum ordered SpiceJet to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for the child’s physical and mental suffering and litigation costs, taking the total compensation to Rs 20,000.
The ruling brings an end to a consumer dispute that arose from the 2021 in-flight accident, with the commission holding the airline accountable for the service lapse that led to the child’s injuries.
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