“The air hostess held my hand and.....", why comedian Zakir Khan's travel story is striking a chord with Indian travellers
ETimes | June 15, 2026 5:40 PM CST
A clip is doing rounds on social media where renowned stand-up artist Zakir Khan can be heard talking about the racism he faced in the skied on time. His anecdote on the podcast Wild Truth has sparked discussions around race, class, and the assumptions that travellers sometimes experience while flying internationally. The incident took place three years ago. Khan said he was met with skepticism from a fellow passenger and a cabin crew member when he tried to place his luggage in the overhead compartment.
Let’s find out more:
What happened
The years-old anecdote, which is gaining attention now on social media, is more than a celebrity story. It shows an experience that a lot of passengers face, especially from minority backgrounds.
“This air hostess held my hand and turned it to see whether I was flying first class or not. But at the same time, there was also this old white lady who was trying to stop me from doing that (keeping my luggage). It was all happening at the same time,” Khan recalled.
He further said that the passenger repeatedly questioned whether he belonged in the section. The flight attendant too allegedly challenged his presence in the first class. As per the comedian, the interaction soon reached to the point where the crew member told him, “This is not your seat.”
Khan said he responded firmly: “You have a problem with an Indian travelling first class.”
The clip that went viral because...
The clip has clicked with many travellers who say they have had similar experiences. They too faced challenges based on appearance, ethnicity, or nationality. The story has now sparked discussions on social media about unconscious bias, especially in aircraft cabins. Expensive tickets or premium services are sometimes wrongly judged as they are only associated with certain backgrounds.
A travel anecdote
If seen from a travel perspective, Khan’s account highlights an uncomfortable but true reality: journeys are not defined only by destinations but also by how passengers are treated.
While airlines have become increasingly diverse spaces, assumptions about who “looks like” they belong in business or first class can sometimes influence interactions.
Respectful service should be universal. It should not be biased or based on a passenger's clothing, language, passport, or appearance. A traveller carrying a backpack instead of designer bag or dressed casually instead of designer clothes should receive the same courtesy as anyone else with a valid boarding pass. They both have paid the same amount to receive the same service.
What it means for Indian travellers
Indian travellers are everywhere. They are travelling internationally and the number has grown over the past decade. More Indians are flying for leisure, vacations, business and education. As incomes rise and premium travel becomes more accessible. Khan’s story today challenges outdated stereotypes.
However, Zakir Khan’s resurfaced anecdote has struck a chord because it touches on a universal travel expectation: every passenger deserves to be treated with the same dignity and respect. No prejudice accepted.
Let’s find out more:
What happened
The years-old anecdote, which is gaining attention now on social media, is more than a celebrity story. It shows an experience that a lot of passengers face, especially from minority backgrounds.
“This air hostess held my hand and turned it to see whether I was flying first class or not. But at the same time, there was also this old white lady who was trying to stop me from doing that (keeping my luggage). It was all happening at the same time,” Khan recalled.
He further said that the passenger repeatedly questioned whether he belonged in the section. The flight attendant too allegedly challenged his presence in the first class. As per the comedian, the interaction soon reached to the point where the crew member told him, “This is not your seat.”
Khan said he responded firmly: “You have a problem with an Indian travelling first class.”
The clip that went viral because...
The clip has clicked with many travellers who say they have had similar experiences. They too faced challenges based on appearance, ethnicity, or nationality. The story has now sparked discussions on social media about unconscious bias, especially in aircraft cabins. Expensive tickets or premium services are sometimes wrongly judged as they are only associated with certain backgrounds.
A travel anecdote
If seen from a travel perspective, Khan’s account highlights an uncomfortable but true reality: journeys are not defined only by destinations but also by how passengers are treated.
While airlines have become increasingly diverse spaces, assumptions about who “looks like” they belong in business or first class can sometimes influence interactions.
Respectful service should be universal. It should not be biased or based on a passenger's clothing, language, passport, or appearance. A traveller carrying a backpack instead of designer bag or dressed casually instead of designer clothes should receive the same courtesy as anyone else with a valid boarding pass. They both have paid the same amount to receive the same service.
What it means for Indian travellers
Indian travellers are everywhere. They are travelling internationally and the number has grown over the past decade. More Indians are flying for leisure, vacations, business and education. As incomes rise and premium travel becomes more accessible. Khan’s story today challenges outdated stereotypes.
However, Zakir Khan’s resurfaced anecdote has struck a chord because it touches on a universal travel expectation: every passenger deserves to be treated with the same dignity and respect. No prejudice accepted.
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