Felt like a ‘Maharaja, says solo passenger on AI flight to Dubai

A UAE-based Indian businessman enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience as he got to fly solo on a Air India flight to Dubai from Amritsar on Wednesday.

The businessman, SP Singh Oberoi, who holds a ten-year golden visa was pleasantly suprised upon boarding the flight as he turned out to be the sole passenger on the three-hour-long international flight.

“I took my flight from Amritsar to Dubai by Air India (AI-929) on June 23 at around 4 am. I was very lucky to be the only passenger on the entire flight. I feel like a Maharaja during my travel,” Oberoi told ANI.

Speaking on his experience Oberoi said that he was treated well by the crew and was even photographed inside the empty plane.

“I was treated very well by the entire crew and was photographed in an empty plane, I took pictures with the crew and pilots of the aircraft,” he said.

By Oberoi’s own admission the journey got boring with no other passengers and he even resorted to counting the number of seats and windows of the Airbus 320 aircraft to pass his time.

“I missed the usually ‘Jo Bole So Nihaal’ and ‘Sat Sri Akal’ chants that passengers from Punjab usually raise during take-off and landing of the aircraft,” he said.

The experience is a memorable one but if I get a chance to travel solo next time, I will refuse, he said.

Oberoi was actually refused permission by Air India for boarding the flight. But after the intervention of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, he was allowed to do so.

In a Facebook post, Oberoi thanked the UAE and Indian governments for the wonderful journey.

“Sometimes in vital situations, we get opportunities to cherish for life. Highly appreciate the Government of UAE and India for making it a memorable journey, thank you Air India for special services, you made it absolutely a wonderful journey,” he said on Facebook.