Adam Ellick’s viral clip of Indian passengers rushing to grab luggage mid-landing draws mixed reactions online.
March 13, 2025: US filmmaker and journalist Adam Ellick has stirred an online debate after sharing a video of Indian airline passengers attempting to retrieve their luggage from overhead bins before the seatbelt sign was turned off. The clip, captioned “Classic landing in India”, quickly went viral, accumulating over 75,000 views and 1,111 likes.
📹 What’s In The Viral Video?
The footage, posted by Ellick, shows a flight crew repeatedly instructing passengers to remain seated as the aircraft taxis on the runway. However, despite a female crew member’s multiple announcements, several passengers stand up and reach for their baggage. It is only after a male crew member intervenes that passengers finally return to their seats.
Ellick’s choice of words—“Classic landing in India”—didn’t sit well with many, sparking a heated discussion in the comments section.
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🌍 Mixed Reactions From Netizens
🗣️ Some users agreed, criticizing the lack of discipline and civic sense among Indian flyers.
💬 “Lack of civic sense, selfishness… This country is filled with such legends,” wrote one user.
💬 “Absolute embarrassment. Feel second-hand embarrassment looking at this.”
However, others called out the generalization, arguing that such incidents happen worldwide.
💬 “Have been to the US 13 times and have always found Americans doing the same at least 8 to 10 times. Please, let’s not generalize.”
💬 “You haven’t been to Germany then. Italians do it too. It’s got nothing to do with nationality.”
One user also pointed out the gender bias in the video:
💬 “Hard to ignore that the female crew’s voice was ignored, but when a male crew member spoke, passengers listened instantly.”
🌐 Do Other Countries Face The Same Issue?
This isn’t the first time passenger behavior during landings has been debated. Many users compared the situation to other countries, stating that airline etiquette issues are universal and not exclusive to India.
Ellick’s video has sparked discussions on cultural behavior, gender dynamics, and general airline discipline—with opinions divided between self-reflection and calling out stereotypes.
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Adam Ellick video, Indian flight etiquette, viral video India, airline discipline debate, Adam Ellick controversy, passenger behavior, aviation rules, Indian flyers, gender bias in aviation, travel etiquette