Passenger Onboard Air Asia X’s Troubled Flight Defends Pilot, Appalled by Hate Remarks

Over the weekend, Air Asia X’s flight that was bound for Kuala Lumpur from Perth left 359 passengers a huge scare after there was a technical issue on one of its engines.

A passenger named Madeline Wright who was onboard that exact flight later shares her experience. She explained how the situation at the time was and how it was untrue that netizens called the pilot ‘unprofessional’.

She recounts first hearing a loud bang, then their aircraft began to shake vigorously. Of course, panic almost instantaneously fell on all 359 passengers but luckily, the captain reassured them.

“Our reassuring captain talked us through the whole situation and gave us every piece of information he had.

“The way we all cooperated and remained calm throughout the event made it easier for crew aboard to help us and for our captain to fly us to safety. No one screamed.”

She even addressed what people have been saying about Air Asia being a budget airline.

“The fact that we and other passengers paid less for a flight is not the reason for this planes accident. A technical problem like this could happen on any plane and Air Asia’s cheaper flights are not to blame.

“The aircraft was checked thoroughly before departure like all planes are and was regulated by the same air safety organisations. People should not be criticising Air Asia for missing anything – technical problems happen all the time, even on more expensive flights. We didn’t pay less for a technical problem, we paid less for no electronic devices, no meals and less leg room. Air Asia is an amazing company and i have flown with them many times before, always with great service and perfect take off and landing.”

She was even more upset about how people were slamming the pilot online, especially for asking the passengers to pray in the time of distress.

“It disgusts me that people are criticising our captain for telling us to pray and are trying to get him fired. The full context was, “Everything is under control in the cockpit. If you want to say a prayer, that might help too.”

“His ask for prayer was said in such way that it was only to make us feel better and if it helped that was an individual thing. He was professional. He was human. He was a reassuring voice during this event and gave us hope, he is the reason I am still alive and I cannot thank him enough. English was his second language and he had a little trouble speaking to us but what he said was enough.”

Madeline is absolutely appalled at people who weren’t even in the flight yet they are throwing insults at the pilot and Air Asia, and giving their own assumptions about the incident.

“To the people blaming Air Asia for the event, it was not their fault and they did their best to keep us comfortable during the incident and the aftermath. Yes, we did stay in an airport for several hours waiting on news of what was to happen next, but they provided us with vouchers for food and water and the wait was only to ensure the best for us. During this time it was telling that everyone was calm, tolerant and patient – not all like a standard 3-hr wait in a queue. We were given the choice of full refunds of tickets, a rescheduled flight, or to stay in the airport a little longer for a later flight.”

“For those of you criticising Air Asia, our pilot and we on board, please stop. The bravery of our crew and captain should be praised not criticised, they did the best they could for us, and everyone is safe.”

Also read: Passengers Onboard Air Asia X Flight Thought They Were Going to Die