Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Carry On Jatta and Singh Vs Kaur 2 star revealed that despite holding a confirmed, paid business-class boarding pass, he was summarily downgraded to economy class without prior notice. When he sought an explanation from the ground staff and flight crew, Grewal alleged that he was met with dismissive indifference and warned that he would be forcibly deboarded from the aircraft if he continued to press the issue.
"I Only Asked for the Seat I Paid For": The Public Outburst
Posting photographs of the airline personnel involved, Grewal recounted the blunt customer handling he experienced when boarding the Toronto-Newark leg:
“Really bad experience with @AirCanada on AC1504. I paid for business class and they put me in economy. When I asked what happened, the answer was basically ‘it happened, we can't do anything. You can take the flight or leave it.’ Not even a simple apology. When I kept asking why, instead of trying to help, I was told I could be taken off the plane. I wasn't asking for anything extra. I was only asking for the business class seat I paid for and an explanation.”
Really bad experience with @AirCanada on AC1504
— Gippy Grewal (@GippyGrewal) September 16, 2026
I paid for business class and they put me in economy. When I asked what happened, the answer was basically “it happened, we can’t do anything. You can take the flight or leave it.”
Not even a simple apology.
When I kept asking… pic.twitter.com/VkcXK7j06F
The actor had flown into Toronto from India via Dubai on Emirates before boarding the connecting Air Canada service to visit his elder son studying in the United States.
Binnu Dhillon Details the Last-Minute Aircraft Swap
Providing further operational context to the incident, close friend, frequent co-star, and producer Binnu Dhillon confirmed speaking with Grewal directly after the flight touched down:
The Aircraft Change: The airline reportedly executed an unannounced equipment swap, transitioning to an aircraft where the business cabin was reduced from 12 seats to 8.
Forced into Middle Economy: Rather than accommodating ticketed premium passengers systematically or offering compensation vouchers at the gate, ground staff informed Grewal that four passengers had to be moved. He was placed in a regular economy seat between two other passengers for the international leg.
Dhillon’s Solidarity: Noting his own prior grievances with international carrier service standards on North American routes, Dhillon criticized the high-handed "take it or leave it" attitude often displayed toward traveling artists and premium ticket holders.
Public Backlash & Airline’s Template Response
Grewal’s post quickly generated widespread traction across the South Asian diaspora and frequent flyer communities in Canada and the US:
Social Media Reaction: Fans and travelers rallied behind the actor, with many demanding that he pursue formal legal arbitration and consumer court action for breach of contract and intimidation.
Air Canada’s Reply: Facing escalating online criticism, Air Canada’s official social support handle responded with a standard template:
“Hello, We are sorry to hear this and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. Please send us a DM with your booking reference and full name/s on file for us to look into it.”
Really bad experience with @AirCanada on AC1504
— Gippy Grewal (@GippyGrewal) September 16, 2026
I paid for business class and they put me in economy. When I asked what happened, the answer was basically “it happened, we can’t do anything. You can take the flight or leave it.”
Not even a simple apology.
When I kept asking… pic.twitter.com/VkcXK7j06F
Industry & Consumer Verdict:
Gippy Grewal’s encounter brings recurring global aviation grievances into sharp focus: involuntary downgrades, lack of basic gate courtesy, and the quick resort to deboarding threats when consumers demand contractual accountability. For an artist who spent his early immigrant years working multiple jobs in Canada before rising to superstardom, the episode struck a raw chord with everyday travelers who routinely face high airline premiums alongside arbitrary service cuts.
