Same flight, different fate: Indian woman trapped in capsule; viral video questions passport privilege
An Indian woman living in the United States triggered a debate on social media about 'passport privilege' after sharing her experience during a layover at a German airport.
Anisha Arora, a New York City resident, missed her connecting flight in Frankfurt due to a delay.
While other passengers holding American passports were offered stays at five-star hotels with free meals, Arora says she was given a cramped, capsule-sized room because she holds an Indian passport and does not have a Schengen visa.
In a video posted on Instagram with the caption, 'Why this partiality?' Arora said, 'I never really cared about my passport until now.'
Showing the space around her, she added, 'So while other passengers are getting free stays at five star hotels and free breakfast and dinners, I am stuck in this stupid capsule.'
Arora also added that US passport holders were allowed to explore Germany during the long layover, while she had to remain inside the airport due to her Indian passport.
"Any other US citizen in my position would have been so happy because they just got free everything and 20 hours to explore a new country, but not me because I have an Indian passport," she said.
The reel received mixed reactions, with some saying, "Actually you have a flat bed and place to charge you phone ..what more do you need? Let be grateful?" while others sympathised and sharing their own frustrations about travel limitations faced by Indian passport holders.
India currently ranks 85th on the Henley Passport Index, compared to the United States, which is ranked 9th.
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