Singapore Airlines has been ordered to pay more than £2,040 (INR 213,585) in compensation to an Indian couple after their business class seats failed to recline on a flight from India to Singapore. Anjali and Ravi Gupta experienced malfunctioning seats that did not recline, causing them to stay awake during their 4-hour and 50-minute journey from Hyderabad to Singapore.
The Guptas had paid approximately £638 (INR 66,750) for each ticket from India to Australia, including a stopover in Singapore, which was significantly more than the equivalent economy class ticket costing £172 (INR 18,000). Despite being offered 10,000 Kris Flyer miles per person as compensation, they declined. Kris Flyer miles are loyalty points earned by members of the Singapore Airlines frequent flyer program. Mr. Gupta is the director general of police in the state of Telangana.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad ruled in favor of the Guptas, ordering the airline to refund £460 (INR 48,750) to each complainant, totaling £931 (INR 97,500) along with 12 per cent interest. Additionally, Singapore Airlines was instructed to pay £955 (INR 100,000) for causing mental agony and physical suffering to the couple and £94 (INR 10,