Passenger Anjan Mahapatra raises a serious complaint against IndiGo Airlines, alleging dark patterns in seat selection that led to denied boarding. Learn how Choice4Voice.com helps consumers raise their voice against unfair practices.
Complaint Summary Table : IndiGo Airlines Complaint – Dark Pattern Exposed by Passenger Anjan Mahapatra
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Anjan Mahapatra |
| Airline Involved | IndiGo Airlines (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd.) |
| Issue Reported | Denied boarding despite auto check-in; alleged dark pattern in seat selection |
| Incident Date | 19th August (DXB – BLR Flight) |
| Financial Loss | Approx. ₹25,000 spent on alternate Emirates flight |
| Complaint Type | Unfair airline practice / Dark pattern exploitation |
| Original Post Source | LinkedIn (publicly available complaint by Anjan Mahapatra) |
Full Complaint Details
A serious allegation has been raised by Anjan Mahapatra, a loyal IndiGo customer, who recently shared his experience of being denied boarding on his Dubai to Bengaluru flight.
According to his detailed post, Anjan had already completed his auto check-in, with the system confirming that seats would be auto-assigned and boarding passes would be sent 4 hours prior to departure. However, at the airport gate, IndiGo staff refused to let him board, stating that he had not selected his seats effectively rendering his check-in invalid.
What makes the matter worse is the alleged dark pattern used by IndiGo. By denying boarding to customers who haven’t paid extra for seat selection, the airline indirectly pressures passengers to pay more for a service that should be included.
Key Points from the Complaint:
- Rude behavior was reported by IndiGo staff at the boarding gate.
- Boarding was denied despite having auto check-in confirmation.
- No written statement was provided by IndiGo staff, even though the passenger requested it.
- Anjan was forced to book an alternate Emirates flight at an additional cost of ₹25,000.
- Research later revealed similar complaints online, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but a recurring pattern.
This situation highlights a concerning issue: passengers who trust an airline’s check in process are left stranded, and forced into last-minute expensive bookings, all while airlines profit from hidden charges.
Why This Case Matters
Airline complaints are not new, but what makes this case stand out is the alleged use of dark patterns manipulative design tactics that mislead consumers into paying more or facing unnecessary inconvenience.
If proven true, this practice could amount to:
- Consumer exploitation under unfair trade practices.
- Financial harassment for passengers forced to pay additional amounts.
- Loss of trust in India’s leading airline.
Such cases must be addressed not only by the airline but also by regulatory bodies like the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) to ensure passenger rights are safeguarded.
How Choice4Voice.com Helps Consumers
When individuals face such serious consumer issues, most feel helpless as large companies often ignore individual voices. This is where Choice4Voice.com plays a crucial role.
Choice4Voice.com is a consumer advocacy platform where people can:
- Submit their complaints directly through this page: Submit Your Complaint
- Have their genuine cases reviewed and published on the website.
- Get their complaints featured on LinkedIn, reaching thousands of readers, companies, and industry stakeholders.
- Build public pressure on brands to take accountability.
If you have a similar experience with airlines, banks, e-commerce platforms, or service providers, you can tag our official Choice4Voice page on LinkedIn. Once highlighted, our team will draft a professional article featuring your case, increasing visibility and improving the chances of resolution.
Choice4Voice.com works as a non-profit initiative dedicated to customer rights, ensuring that no consumer complaint goes unheard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is a “dark pattern” in airline booking systems?
A dark pattern refers to manipulative design tactics where companies make it difficult for consumers to choose a free option, indirectly forcing them to pay extra. In airlines, this could mean denying boarding unless seats are paid for, even if auto check-in is confirmed.
Q2: Can an airline deny boarding after a passenger has checked in?
Legally, if a passenger has completed check-in and arrives on time, the airline must allow boarding unless there is a genuine operational reason. Denying boarding in such cases may qualify as unfair trade practice.
Q3: Is seat selection mandatory on IndiGo international flights?
Seat selection is usually optional. If the system confirms auto seat allocation, passengers should be allowed to board without paying extra. Making seat selection mandatory without transparency can be challenged.
Q4: What should I do if an airline denies me boarding?
You should immediately request a written statement from the airline. If denied, preserve all digital proofs (boarding confirmation, emails, payment receipts) and raise a complaint with DGCA or via consumer forums.
Q5: Can passengers get compensation for denied boarding in India?
Yes. Under DGCA guidelines, passengers may be eligible for compensation and reimbursement depending on the nature of denial and delay caused.
Q6: What is the role of DGCA in such cases?
The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) is India’s aviation regulator. It oversees airline operations and passenger rights. Complaints can be directly submitted to DGCA for investigation.
Q7: How can Choice4Voice.com help in airline-related complaints?
Choice4Voice.com amplifies passenger voices by publishing detailed complaint articles and sharing them on LinkedIn to pressure airlines into resolving the issue.
Q8: Is it legal for airlines to charge GST on penalties or hidden charges?
While GST applies to services, charging GST on penalties or hidden fees is widely debated. Consumers have the right to challenge such charges under consumer protection laws.
Q9: What evidence should I keep when filing a complaint against an airline?
Screenshots of check-in confirmations, boarding passes, receipts, and communications with the airline are essential to strengthen your complaint.
Q10: How long does it take for consumer complaints to get resolved?
It depends on the company. With public exposure via platforms like Choice4Voice.com, resolution often happens faster as companies seek to protect their reputation.
Q11: Can I submit international airline complaints on Choice4Voice.com?
Yes. Choice4Voice accepts complaints against both Indian and international companies, as long as the case is genuine and verifiable.
Q12: Why is public exposure important for consumer complaints?
Companies are often unresponsive to private complaints but act quickly when cases go public, especially on platforms like LinkedIn where brand image is at stake.
Q13: What makes Choice4Voice.com different from other consumer forums?
Unlike generic forums, Choice4Voice.com ensures visibility, credibility, and reach. Every genuine complaint is professionally written and published, making it more effective.
Q14: How much does it cost to submit a complaint on Choice4Voice.com?
The platform is completely free. It is run as a non-profit initiative to empower consumer voices.
Q15: Can I remain anonymous while submitting a complaint?
Yes, in certain cases, Choice4Voice.com can publish complaints without disclosing personal details, if privacy is a concern.
Q16: What should I do if I face rude behavior from airline staff?
Document the interaction (recordings, witness statements) and report it to both the airline and DGCA. Sharing it via Choice4Voice.com amplifies the impact.
Q17: Are last-minute expensive tickets refundable if denial of boarding is proven?
Yes, consumers can claim reimbursement for additional costs incurred if the denial is directly caused by the airline’s fault.
Q18: Can airlines overbook flights legally?
Overbooking is allowed under certain conditions, but passengers denied boarding due to overbooking must be compensated as per DGCA rules.
Q19: What are the most common airline complaints in India?
The top issues include denied boarding, refund delays, hidden charges, damaged baggage, and poor customer support.
Q20: How do I submit my complaint to Choice4Voice.com?
Visit Submit Your Complaint and fill the form. Alternatively, you can tag Choice4Voice on LinkedIn, and our team will prepare a detailed article highlighting your case.
Conclusion
This complaint against IndiGo Airlines raises critical questions about transparency, consumer rights, and the use of manipulative booking practices. Passengers must remain vigilant and aware of their rights.
If you have faced a similar issue with airlines, banks, e-commerce companies, or any service provider, you don’t need to remain silent. Choice4Voice.com is here to support you in raising your voice and ensuring that companies take accountability.
👉 Submit your complaint now: https://choice4voice.com/submit-your-complaint/
