I have been traveling between the UAE and India for over 20 years, and my recent experience on a SpiceJet flight from Dubai to Mumbai was one of the worst I have had.
The problems began at the boarding gate, where the flight was delayed by more than 40 minutes with very limited communication. Passengers were left waiting without clear updates or proper announcements.
At the gate, cabin baggage was weighed. I was aware of the 7 kg limit, but my combined carry-on weight was around 12 kg, including a laptop bag. I did not have any checked baggage, as I was carrying personal items, electronics, and valuables I preferred not to check in.
When I tried to explain, the situation escalated quickly. Staff insisted on an immediate payment of AED 350 or I would be removed from the flight. Passengers were also told that bags could be offloaded if payment was not made. The overall atmosphere became stressful and humiliating.
Even after passengers agreed to pay, some staff made inappropriate remarks about the situation, including comments about revenue generation from baggage fees, which added to the discomfort.
Once onboard, the experience did not improve. The aircraft felt poorly maintained, with weak air conditioning after boarding, a broken seat recliner, damaged tray tables, visible dirt in the cabin, and an unpleasant odor throughout the flight.
There was also very limited onboard service during the 3.5-hour international flight, despite full fare tickets being paid. The washrooms were in poor condition as well.
After landing in Mumbai, passengers were again delayed while waiting for buses to arrive at the aircraft stairs.
Overall, the entire journey felt disorganized and uncomfortable from start to finish, with little focus on passenger experience at any stage.
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