Delhi-bound Air India Flight AI-162 Returns to London Heathrow After Passenger Fails to Board
An Air India flight (AI-162) scheduled from London Heathrow to Delhi on September 21, 2025 was pushed back and began taxiing, but returned to the gate when crew discovered that a passenger whose boarding pass had already been scanned was not actually on board — the traveller had mistakenly gone to the arrivals area instead of the departure gate. The aircraft was returned to offload that passenger’s baggage, airport security detained the passenger for questioning, and the flight departed after a delay.
- The flight — Air India AI-162 — was operating from London Heathrow to Delhi on Sept 21, 2025.
- The aircraft was delayed roughly 45 minutes before it even taxied for takeoff.
- After pushback, and while taxiing, the crew discovered that one passenger whose boarding pass had already been scanned and marked as “boarded” was not physically on the plane.
- The passenger had apparently walked to the arrivals area by mistake after their boarding pass was scanned at the gate
- Following standard security protocols, the aircraft returned to the gate so the passenger’s baggage could be offloaded; airport security detained the person for questioning; the aircraft later departed with a delay.
FAQs
Q1: Could the airline have left and dealt with the baggage later?
No — aviation security standards generally prohibit departing with a checked bag whose owner is not onboard when boarding records indicate they should be. The risk is too high. Returning to offload the baggage is the required action.
Q2: Will passengers affected by the delay be compensated?
Compensation depends on airline policy, the duration of the delay, ticket type, and the jurisdiction’s aviation regulations. If the delay triggers local passenger rights rules (e.g., EU261 in Europe) or airline goodwill policies, affected passengers may be eligible for compensation or assistance — but each case is handled individually.
Q3: Why was the passenger detained instead of just questioned and released?
“Detained for questioning” in airport contexts often means security held the person briefly to conduct interviews and verify intent. Detention does not automatically mean criminal charges; it’s usually a security step to ensure there was no malicious intent behind the mismatch.
Q4: Does this happen frequently at Heathrow or other major hubs?
It’s uncommon relative to the huge volume of daily flights, but not unheard of. Major hubs handle millions of passengers, and occasional mismatches or gate confusion do occur. The crucial point is these events are typically contained and resolved by standard procedures.
Q5: How can I avoid being that person who gets off at arrivals by mistake?
Simple steps: keep your boarding pass handy, double-check gate numbers, follow signs carefully, use your airline app for gate updates, and when in doubt, ask gate staff before leaving the departure area. Giving yourself extra time removes the pressure that leads to mistakes.
