Air India Flight AI2379 Plunges 300 Feet in Severe Turbulence, Injuring 17 on Phuket to Delhi Route

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence while cruising toward the Indian capital, injuring a number of passengers and crew after the aircraft reportedly dropped roughly 300 feet in a matter of seconds. Reported injury counts have varied significantly across outlets, ranging from as few as 8 to as many as 17.

Flight AI2379, operated on an Airbus A320neo carrying 134 passengers, was flying from the Thai island back to Delhi when it hit the rough air pocket. According to the Times of India and other outlets, the sudden drop threw unsecured passengers and crew members against cabin fixtures, causing a mix of minor and moderate injuries.

What Happened Onboard

The turbulence struck suddenly during cruise, according to passenger accounts. Passengers described a violent jolt that sent bags, food carts, and unrestrained travelers flying through the cabin. Cabin crew members were among those affected.

The pilots regained control quickly and continued the flight into Delhi. Emergency medical teams met the aircraft on arrival, treating the injured on the tarmac and transferring several to nearby hospitals for further evaluation.

Of the injured, several required hospital treatment while others received precautionary medical examinations. Most sustained bruises, sprains, and minor lacerations. A smaller number required more extensive medical attention, though none of the injuries have been described as life threatening.

Air India's Response

Air India confirmed the incident and stated that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remained its highest priority. The airline said it is working with aviation authorities to review the flight data to determine the exact conditions the aircraft encountered.

Turbulence Incidents on the Rise

The event adds to a growing list of severe turbulence encounters reported across the global aviation industry in recent years. In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore experienced deadly clear air turbulence, resulting in one fatality and roughly 79 injuries. That incident prompted several carriers to review their in flight service procedures and seatbelt policies.

Aviation researchers have linked the increase in severe turbulence events to shifting atmospheric patterns. Studies published in recent years suggest that clear air turbulence, which is difficult to detect on radar, has grown more frequent along major flight corridors.
 

Safety Guidance for Passengers

Aviation safety officials continue to remind travelers that keeping seatbelts fastened whenever seated remains the single most effective way to avoid injury during unexpected turbulence. Most serious injuries in these events involve passengers who were not restrained at the moment of impact.

Cabin crew face a higher risk because their duties often require them to move about the cabin. Several airlines have started modifying service protocols, ending meal and beverage service earlier during flights that pass through areas of forecast turbulence.

Investigation Underway

At least one aviation expert has called for India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation to investigate the incident, describing the conditions the aircraft encountered as potentially serious. It has not been confirmed whether a formal DGCA investigation has been opened.

For now, most injured passengers and crew are understood to have received medical evaluation, though Air India has yet to release a detailed statement on the specific weather conditions encountered during the flight.