A video circulating on social media platforms has prompted Air India to launch an internal investigation after it appeared to show a former flight attendant sitting in the cockpit of a plane while a flight was in the air.
The clip, which has sparked debate over aviation safety protocols, shows an individual sitting in what appears to be the pilot’s seat before the camera pans towards the plane’s windshield to reveal clouds outside.
After the video was posted online, Air India issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that the matter was being investigated.
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“We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing a former Air India cabin crew sitting inside the cockpit. Air India has strict protocols governing access to the cockpit and any deviation from these standards is taken with the utmost seriousness,” the carrier’s spokesperson said in a statement.
The airline added that it is currently verifying the authenticity of the video while trying to determine the circumstances under which it was filmed.
The airline has already launched an internal investigation to determine whether all operational and safety guidelines were followed, according to the statement.
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“Air India said that based on the outcome of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken to determine whether all safety and operational protocols were fully followed. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority,” Air India said.
Viral video sparks online debate
The video was shared on social media platform X, where users quickly began to question whether such access to the cockpit during flight was allowed.
After posting the clip online, a user wrote: “The plane is in the air and the flight attendant is sitting in the cockpit making reels. Is this really allowed? It’s quite disturbing to see something like this when passenger safety is supposed to be the highest priority.”
The post soon sparked discussions among aviation enthusiasts and passengers about cockpit access rules during flights.
What do the rules of aviation say?
As per the regulations set by India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), at least two authorized personnel must be present in the cockpit for the duration of the flight.
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This rule is designed to prevent situations where one person could be locked inside the cockpit alone.
According to the regulation, if one of the pilots needs to leave the cockpit temporarily – for example for a break – the flight attendant can be asked to enter the cockpit until the pilot returns, ensuring that two authorized people remain there.
One social media user pointed this out when he reacted to the viral clip, writing: “The best I can make of it is that the captain got off to stretch or take a toilet break and the flight attendants were sent to take over as there is always a two person rule in the cockpit.
For now, Air India says an investigation will determine whether the video reflects a breach of protocol or a situation permitted by existing aviation security rules.
