Air India Phuket-Delhi flight hits turbulence, 17 injured

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe midair turbulence on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, resulting in injuries to multiple passengers and crew members before the aircraft landed safely. The Airbus A320neo, operating as flight AI2379, experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude during its cruise phase over the Bay of Bengal, about 90 minutes after departure from Thailand.

The aircraft stabilized and landed safely at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at 11:07 a.m. local time. Air India confirmed the aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. The airline stated that 13 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation. By Tuesday evening, five of those injured had been discharged, while 12 remained under observation. Medical officials reported most injuries were minor, though one cabin crew member suffered a spinal fracture.

Passengers described a terrifying ordeal, with many thrown from their seats as the aircraft jolted violently for two to three minutes. One passenger recounted his father, who was not wearing a seat belt as the sign was...