New Delhi, May 3 -- The best business class flight I have ever taken was with Air India. As the flight was taxiing for take-off, it stopped on the tarmac. There was a snag, and we had to stay in the aircraft. It was over 40deg Celsius outside. Peak Delhi summer. As though in apology, the cabin crew began serving a meal. At the time I didn't realize the service was only in business class. There was wine too.

After an hour, I heard commotion from the economy cabin. They were sweating as there was no air conditioning. Odd, I hadn't noticed. The screams informed me they were hungry and thirsty too. A person had fainted. What a close shave for me, I thought. But then menacing voices grew.

Some alpha men barged in demanding the aircraft door ...