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Some Things Don't Change: Despite COVID-19 Indians Still Want To Exit The Aircraft In A Hurry

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KC Archana
KC ArchanaUpdated on Jun 06, 2020, 15:53 IST

It's a known fact that Indians don’t have the best reputation when it comes to flight etiquette. People don't switch off their phones, make calls just as the plane is taking off or landing, and of course, jump out of their seats to exit the aircraft like the world is going to end.

Flight protocol - more often than not - is the last thing people think about, and it's still happening even when the world is ravaged by a pandemic! 

Here's a picture that was posted on Reddit a few hours ago, it shows Indians - all clad in face shields and masks, but completely disregarding the social distancing norm as they rush out of their seats to the plane's aisle, to exit! 


Why are they in such a hurry? Is their exiting the plane going to stop a pandemic? What's the harm is waiting just a few minutes for people step out one by one? 

Airports in India have come up with a slew of measures after airports started operating, from staggered check-in queues, ultraviolet disinfection tunnels for baggage, and of course maintaining distance among individuals who are travelling. 

Some things never change from r/india

However, one has to wonder how any of this is going to make a difference when, as seen in the picture above, people are glued to one another in the aisle.

Rubbing and jostling in queues has been a way of life for most of us, but given the current circumstances, we have to be willing to change that. 

Image For Representation/AP

On May 25, the Narendra Modi government allowed domestic airlines to resume operations across the country, 59 days after they were grounded to curtail the spread of Covid-19. 


Aviation regulator DGCA have come up with strict measures which include ensuring adequate space between passengers and check-in counters and leaving one seat vacant between two passengers. 

Besides maintaining adequate spacing at check-in counters between passengers (minimum one metre) and also between individual counters, airlines also have to ensure availability of adequate staff for guiding the passengers at check-in counters and during security checks, 


Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated in its circular to all scheduled airlines in the country and airport operators. According to the circular, the seat allocation at the time of check-in to should be done to in a manner to ensure that the seat between two passengers is kept empty and the cabin crew has to maintain adequate distance while serving the passengers. 

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