Air travel has increasingly become a source of frustration for many passengers, with rising ticket prices, frequent schedule changes and additional charges adding to the stress. Excess baggage fees, in particular,
often spark tension, as even a slight increase over the prescribed weight limit can result in hefty penalties.
Speaking on a similar vein, SpiceJet is facing fresh criticism on social media after a video showing a heated argument between passengers and airline staff over excess baggage charges went viral online. The clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter), captures two passengers engaged in a tense exchange with SpiceJet employees at what appears to be a boarding gate.
In the video, a man is heard requesting the staff to show their ID cards, while the employees insist, they are issuing a bill for extra cabin baggage. The visibly frustrated staff members ask the passengers to make the payment quickly so the flight can depart, as boarding time nears. But the woman is seen talking to someone on the phone and delaying the process.
The post accompanying the video accused the airline of unfairly penalising passengers for exceeding the 7-kg cabin baggage limit. Written in Hindi, the caption read, “Airport par asli udaan runway se nahin, apki jeb se shuru hoti hai. SpiceJet ne boarding gate ko loot ka adda bana diya.
Passengers pohocte hai and immediately the hand baggage weight check begins. 7 kilo se ek gram jyada to 1000-2000 ka jurmana. It’s boarding time, the tension of missing the flight, forced to pay under pressure. No option, no appeal. Many passengers keep screaming, while the staff just keeps smiling.”
“This isn’t a policy, this is well-planned daylight robbery. Stay away from SpiceJet. Choose another airline, where at least you won’t get robbed at the gate,” the user added.
एयरपोर्ट पर असली उड़ान रनवे से नहीं, आपकी जेब से शुरू होती है।
स्पाइसजेट ने बोर्डिंग गेट को लूट का अड्डा बना दिया।
पैसेंजर्स पहुंचते हैं-तो हैंड बैगेज वजन चेक, 7 किलो से एक ग्राम ज्यादा तो हजार-दो हजार का जुर्माना। बोर्डिंग का वक्त, फ्लाइट छूटने की टेंशन, मजबूरी में पेमेंट। न… pic.twitter.com/YD0P3Q4PP1
— Rajneeti Tadka 🌶️ (@RajneetiTadka) February 12, 2026
How Are Social Media Users Reacting?
The video has triggered mixed reactions online. Several users criticised the airline’s baggage policy, some pointed out that baggage rules are typically communicated in advance and should be adhered to.
“SpiceJet’s boarding gate = Jeb khali karne ka thikana. Handbag 1 gram more? Fines guaranteed! Dusri airline chuno, at least you won’t get robbed at the gate,” read a comment.
Another said, “An airline’s baggage policy may be strict, but passengers deserve transparency and respect.”
“There is a loot going on, loot it, you will shout for a while and then you will calm down,” commented another.
An individual stated, “SpiceJet’s boarding gate is loot ka bazaar. 1g more than 7kg? A 2,000 fine. They threaten to rob you by threatening to miss your flight. BoycottSpiceJet. Choose IndiGo/Air India, where your ticket is cleared upon check-in. Beware of this scam.”
An account posted, “If the baggage policy is clearly written in advance, it’s important to follow it. However, if there’s unexpected harshness or misconduct at the gate, the passenger has every right to file a complaint.”
SpiceJet Previously Faced Boycott Call After Dispute With Army Officer
This is not the first time SpiceJet has faced backlash over baggage-related disputes. In August 2025, the airline became the target of a ‘boycott SpiceJet’ campaign launched by Army veterans following a violent altercation at Srinagar airport. According to a statement issued by SpiceJet, a senior Indian Army officer allegedly assaulted four airline ground staff members at the boarding gate of flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi on July 26, 2025, after being asked to pay for excess cabin baggage.
The airline claimed that one staff member suffered a spinal fracture, while others sustained serious injuries. “A passenger grievously assaulted four SpiceJet employees at the boarding gate… Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand,” the airline said.
The Army officer, however, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the airline, accusing it of mistreatment. SpiceJet stated that it had also lodged an FIR and initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations.
