Introduction
Arjun and Priya Mehta, a newly married couple from Mumbai, were all set to attend a close relative’s wedding in their native town. Accompanying them on this journey was their 12-month-old baby boy, Aarav. Despite being experienced travelers, this time their journey was anything but smooth. From planning mistakes to airport chaos, the odds were stacked against them. Yet, somehow, they made it—thanks to luck, helpful airline staff, and a whole lot of running.
A False Sense of Timeliness
Though Arjun and Priya were familiar with air travel, they made an unusual decision this time—they planned to leave their house just 1½ hours before the flight’s departure. On paper, it seemed more than enough, especially considering they lived about 45 minutes away from the airport. However, this overconfidence laid the foundation for a stressful day.
They underestimated Mumbai’s unpredictable traffic and did not account for any potential delays. Typically, airlines advise passengers to reach the airport and collect boarding passes at least 50 minutes prior to departure. What seemed like a comfortable timeline soon turned into a frantic race.
The First Hurdle: The Cab That Wouldn’t Come
With their bags packed and baby Aarav ready, the couple waited patiently for their cab. Minutes ticked by, but the cab didn’t arrive. After several calls and cancellations, a vehicle was finally arranged. But the delay had already eaten into their buffer time. Still unaware of the urgency, they assumed they were on track.
As the cab sped through Mumbai’s streets, the driver casually asked them which airline they were flying with. “Air India,” Arjun replied. The driver immediately expressed concern. “Sir, why are we going to the domestic terminal? All Air India flights now operate from the international terminal,” he said.
A Critical Realization
This was the second major hiccup. Assuming they were flying a domestic route, Arjun and Priya naturally headed toward the domestic terminal. A quick glance at their tickets confirmed the driver’s claim—they were indeed supposed to check in at the international terminal.
Panic set in. They were already short on time, and now they had to divert to another terminal. Mumbai’s airport is notorious for heavy traffic and long inter-terminal travel times. The journey that should have been smooth now felt like a ticking time bomb.
A Call from the Airline
Just as their cab neared the international terminal, Arjun received a call from Air India staff. “Sir, we are about to close the check-in counter. Please hurry.” The gravity of the situation sank in. Every second counted now.
Upon arriving, they were surprised to see a group of Air India officials actively searching for them. Sunita Sharma, a senior staff member, approached them, confirming their identity. “We’ve been trying to reach you. Please come with us quickly,” she said.
Infant Travel Policy: A Shocking Discovery
Just when they thought the worst was over, another issue surfaced. The airline staff at the check-in counter asked for the infant’s travel coupon. Arjun and Priya were confused. They had assumed that babies under two travel for free.
Sunita explained, “While infants do not require a full seat, they still need a travel coupon for boarding. It’s a part of Air India’s policy.” Unfortunately, these coupons could not be issued at the check-in counter. They had to be purchased from the airline’s ticketing office, located a considerable distance away.
To streamline the process, Sunita assigned a junior executive to accompany Arjun. This would help him bypass the long queues and security checks. Meanwhile, Priya stayed back at the counter with Aarav, anxiously waiting.
Running Against Time
After navigating through corridors and counters, Arjun finally managed to secure the coupon. The junior executive immediately called Sunita, informing her to proceed with the boarding passes.
While waiting, another small miracle happened. The couple’s assigned seats were changed to more baby-friendly locations, thanks to some last-minute calls by Air India staff. These new seats were closer to the aisle and allowed extra legroom—a godsend when traveling with a baby.
Final Boarding Alert
With boarding passes in hand, Sunita gave them one last warning: “You are the final passengers to check-in for this flight. Please rush to the gate immediately. If you’re even a minute late, the airport shuttle will leave without you.”
The boarding gate, unfortunately, was located at the far end of the terminal. With Aarav in Priya’s arms, and carry-ons in hand, the couple began their sprint. Another Air India official accompanied them up to the security check to ensure a smooth passage.
The Last Shuttle
After navigating escalators, long corridors, and security protocols, they finally reached the boarding gate. The staff was just about to dispatch the last shuttle to the aircraft. “We were about to close the gate,” one of them said, slightly out of breath.
With a huge sigh of relief, the couple stepped into the shuttle—literally the last passengers to board the flight. Their hearts pounded from both the physical exertion and the emotional rollercoaster of the day.
A Moment of Reflection
As the plane took off, Arjun and Priya settled into their seats. Aarav, unaware of the day’s chaos, slept peacefully in his mother’s lap. The couple exchanged a knowing look—part exhaustion, part gratitude.
“Can you believe we made it?” Priya whispered.
“Just barely,” Arjun replied with a chuckle. “But maybe we were meant to be on this flight.”
This experience was a stark reminder: never take travel lightly, especially with a child. But it also revealed how human kindness—in the form of helpful airline staff—can make all the difference.
Conclusion: A Lesson Well Learned
Despite multiple missteps—late departure, terminal confusion, travel coupon chaos—Arjun and Priya managed to board their flight against all odds. It was a day full of tension, frustration, and running. But it was also a day that reinforced the importance of preparation, adaptability, and the kindness of strangers.
From now on, Arjun and Priya vowed to triple-check every detail before flying, especially when traveling with Aarav. And while they hope to never repeat such a day, they’ll always remember it as the flight they almost missed—but didn’t.
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