Heartfelt account calls for kindness towards migrant workers as airline behavior raises questions
A flight from Dubai to Doha has become the backdrop of a viral social media post that’s stirring widespread emotion. A Doha-based makeup artist recounted how an Indian man, possibly a migrant worker, was allegedly denied a meal on board while she was served one, igniting conversations about dignity, inequality, and compassion, reported hindustantimes.com.
Flight experience highlights quiet injustices, inspires call for greater empathy
In a now-viral thread, the woman described how she sat by the window, with the man in the aisle seat beside her. As the cabin crew distributed meal baskets—containing a sandwich, chocolate, and water—she noticed that while she received a basket, the man beside her did not.
“When the crew reached our row, he looked up expectantly. But one of the attendants shook his head, handed him a sealed plastic cup of water, and moved on,” she wrote. “That’s it.”
She described how the man, visibly disheartened, quietly looked down. Later, he politely asked her to help open his water cup and offered her a mango and some grapes from his bag—possibly the only food he had.
“I didn’t take it… maybe that was all he had for later,” she wrote, struck by the man’s quiet dignity and generosity. Her post ended with a poignant appeal: “We must be kinder. A sandwich and KitKat won’t hurt your budget, but it could mean everything to someone else.”
Online Reactions and Airline Debate
The post triggered a wave of emotional responses online. Many expressed sadness and admiration for the man’s silent strength, while others criticized airline policies for possibly denying meals based on ticket class.
“Very sad. The UAE government and airlines must care more for these workers,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “That man has more heart than most.”
Some pointed out that short-haul carriers like Flydubai may not include meals for passengers who didn’t prepay. However, the emotional tone of the story has overshadowed technicalities, with the broader conversation now focusing on dignity for all passengers, regardless of ticket class.
