What is condensation adjustment that caused a water leak on an Air India plane?

It seems the aviation service industry is experiencing some turbulence this week. Following a series of complaints with Indigo, Air India also stepped into the spotlight with a recent viral video showcasing an unexpectedly 'immersive experience.'

What

On October 30, a video surfaced on X (Twitter) revealing water dripping from an Air India flight's overhead bin.

The video quickly gained traction on X, amassing over 1 million views, with many users commenting on the flight conditions.

See the video here: 

The incident occurred on a flight from Gatwick to Amritsar on November 24.

Several individuals commented on the issue, with one user humorously criticizing Air India, stating, "Air India... fly with us – it's not a trip… It's an immersive experience."

Air India's response

DailyO reached out to Air India, and the airline responded, explaining the cause behind the leaked video.

Air India attributed the issue to a rare condensation adjustment inside the cabin. Affected passengers seated in the relevant rows were promptly relocated to other vacant seats.

What is condensation adjustment?

• Condensation is a typical cause of water leaks on aircraft. It occurs when there's a significant temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the plane. This variance leads to moisture buildup, eventually forming water droplets that may leak into the cabin.
• For example, frost can accumulate on the aircraft's structure. If the interior temperature rises above freezing, the frost melts rapidly, resulting in water accumulation.
• Ordinarily, this water should flow down the insulation's sides into the fuselage's bilge area (the plane's lower section), where it drains out. However, damaged insulation, often caused by rodents, can exacerbate the leakage issue.

READ MORE: Indigo and customer service, a match made in aviation hell