Air India flight attendant assaulted in London hotel room; "working with local police," says airline

An Air India flight attendant was assaulted by an intruder in her London hotel room earlier this week. The incident occurred at the Radisson Hotel London Heathrow, shortly after midnight. The flight attendant, who was resting after her duty, was attacked around 1:30 a.m. by the intruder. Startled by the attack, she screamed for help, which alerted her colleagues in nearby rooms. They rushed to her aid, causing the assailant to flee, but he was eventually apprehended.

The victim, who sustained bruises during the assault, was taken to a hospital for treatment. She has since returned to India, where she is receiving counseling, according to an official statement.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying, "We are deeply anguished by an unlawful incident of intrusion at a hotel, operated by a major international chain, that affected one of our crew members. We are providing all possible support to our colleague and their broader team, including professional counselling. Air India is also working with the local police to pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law, and with the hotel management to ensure such incidents are not repeated."


The airline emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of their crew and staff are of utmost priority and requested that the privacy of those involved be respected.

Sources told TOI that the intruder, believed to be a homeless person who managed to enter the hotel unnoticed, attacked the flight attendant with a clothes hanger and dragged her on the floor as she tried to escape. The police are investigating the incident.

The incident highlights growing concerns about security in certain parts of London. Air India pilots and crew members staying in the city have expressed the need for heightened alertness, particularly when staying in hotels located outside Central London. The attack came just a day after an 11-year-old Australian tourist was stabbed in Leicester Square, further raising concerns about safety in the area.