Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Here’s Why Travellers Are Willing To Pay A Premium On Flight Tickets

A routine Dreamliner flight turned into a nightmare for several families post the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad.

People haven't still recovered from the horrific incident where 241 passengers, including an entire family of five were wiped out in seconds, and News channels are already flashing reports of two India-bound flights forced to return to their ports of departure due to technical issues.

All these incidents have only begun making people rethink the safety standards of the Boeing flagship aircraft that has come under intense scrutiny.

Air travel has always been about convenience and comfort, but given the recent events, it's hard not to ignore the risk of travelling in a poorly maintained aircraft that's probably prioritizing speed over safety. Questions also are being raised over Boeing's safety standards and maintenance. With renewed attention being given to airline safety, frequent flyers don't feel that confident about travelling by Boeing anymore.

Shikha Shah, a travel writer, says, “The Ahmedabad incident was terrifying and as a frequent flyer it makes me so numb. It is absolutely heart-breaking and I am petrified to get on to my next flight. I have never been one of those travellers who gets scared to fly, but now the thought does make me nervous.

“I have a few trips planned until September 2025, and after the incident I went back and checked which aircrafts I am going to fly. I am tense as some of them are Boeing. I plan on cancelling those flights and booking an Airbus instead, even if that means I need to take a longer route. But, yes, I would choose an Airbus over a Boeing considering their history of crashes.”

For Vijay Thomas, a tech entrepreneur, who takes 50 fights every year, the Boeing 787 was a preferred aircraft until now. The best however was Airbus A350. “I think I will make an effort to try to avoid Air India if possible,” he says. “I will at least for the next foreseeable future fly Indigo inside India.”

Serena Paes, GM, Marketing and Branding, Viceroy Properties, says, “I’ve definitely become more mindful about the aircraft I’m flying on. While earlier, I would glance over the model, now I’ll make a conscious effort to check whether it’s an Airbus or Boeing. Personally, I’ve been leaning toward Airbus lately - it just gives me a bit more peace of mind, especially after the incident.”

Price definitely plays a big role, especially for international travel where costs can add up quickly. But now, it's not just about finding the cheapest ticket.

“Travel isn't just about convenience anymore,” says Serena. “It’s about calculated, conscious decision-making. Just like you wouldn’t compromise on the quality of food or medical care, the same principle should apply to air travel.”

“I always look for a balance between cost and safety,” she adds. “I do check the aircraft model, the airline’s reputation, and how well they handle long-haul flights. If it’s a budget-friendly fare on a reliable airline with a good safety record and newer aircraft, that’s ideal. Comfort, layover duration, and customer service also factor into my decision.”

Serena has been flying frequently with Vistara, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Etihad. For domestic travel, IndiGo is her go-to for convenience and punctuality.

As a frequent flyer, Vijay also checks on the aircraft before booking the tickets. “But it is not the primary decision-making factor. I prefer wide bodies over narrow ones. I also look for the timing of the flights and try and avoid early morning or late-night flights.” Vijay has off late been choosing newer planes over older ones not just for the maintenance factor, but also because the interiors are better along with the technology and seats, and these planes also come with “bigger luggage bins.”

“Frequent flyers used to prefer exit row seats for the extra leg space and airlines used to charge more for it, but now with the 11A miracle, I think the exit row will become even more popular. I already go for those seats and will try to go for those even more,” he adds.

Vijay who once travelled via Hong Kong to Toronto just to avoid flying by Boeing (Cathy Pacific flew A350s at that time), feels that if “more and more people start choosing aircrafts based on the age of the planes, it would eventually force airlines to get newer fleets.”

Melroy Noronha, Senior Manager, International Media Sales, who takes 75 flights a year mainly for work, feels that one should “fly with an airline that has a good safety and service record like Emirates and buy good value travel insurance.”

Melroy chooses to fly in an airlines with remarkable safety and service records. "I buy good value travel insurance, but over and above that I feel there aren't any more precautions one can take."

For Priyanka Sharma (name changed on request), “aircraft model, airline safety ratings, shortest travel time, and reliable transit” are all going to be important factors to be considered while booking flight tickets going forward.

“Definitely, I will be more particular now,” she says. “I actively prefer Airbus over Boeing - it’s about peace of mind when you fly as often as I do.”

Before the AI crash, Priyanka would “pick whichever airline offered the best timings and route - comfort was a bonus.”

But now, travel is a calculated decision for her. "I’m okay spending more if it means flying safer and feeling secure,” says the marketing professional who flies 20–25 times a year. Explaining how she plans to travel in the near future, Priyanka shares, “I plan to look up the aircraft model, review the airline’s safety history, avoid tight connections, and share my itinerary and live location with someone back home, mostly my brother. I will also make a note on the seat selection on the emergency exit when on board.”

Sharing tips for travellers, Serena says, “Keep your ID, phone, and charger within easy reach, and pay more attention to the safety instructions onboard. Travel insurance should also be a must now. Don’t take safety for granted. Do your homework, even if it adds a few extra steps. Spend a little more for peace of mind - it is worth the effort. And always trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.”

Shikha has never flown abroad without a travel insurance. “I have an annual travel insurance and wouldn’t board an international flight without it. I am travelling almost every month. I have my next flight on June 18 and am travelling to central Europe via three flights (Surat to Delhi, Delhi to Istanbul, and Istanbul to Prague).”

But for the very first time, this travel writer is not confident to board an airplane. “I do plan to be more alert when the airline crew gives out the emergency briefing. Usually, people don’t pay attention to it as we think what is going to happen in the worst-case scenario. However, the 11A seat survivor makes one rethink about the slightest chance of surviving something as bad as the AI plane crash only by being alert.”

Published on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 12:23 PM IST