Did a Passenger Etch Their Name on an Aircraft Window, Risking a Lifetime Ban?

December 28, 2025 at 02:30 AM•3 min read

An image showing the name "Manvik" etched into an aircraft window pane has sparked a major debate on passenger misconduct and the need for stricter airline regulatory action.

Key Points

1The 'Manvik' carving incident highlights a serious case of aircraft window vandalism reported on a flight in India.
2Unruly passenger behavior, including aircraft damage, is classified by the DGCA into three levels, with Level 3 being life-threatening.
3Vandalism can result in an immediate 30-day flying ban and lead to a longer ban determined by an airline's internal committee.
4The financial impact includes the high cost of specialized acrylic window replacement and expensive Aircraft on Ground (AOG) maintenance time.

A recent social media post has drawn sharp criticism across the commercial aviation news landscape after showing significant damage to aircraft interior.

Photos circulated online clearly showed the name “Manvik” carved into an aircraft’s window pane. This act of aircraft window vandalism occurred during a flight in India, according to the original post. The incident immediately triggered a debate on inflight passenger behavior and civic responsibility. Many social media users demanded a lifetime airline passenger ban for the person responsible. The carving of names on public property is a recurring issue in India, but this instance occurred thousands of feet in the air.

Regulatory Framework and Consequences

This type of passenger misconduct aviation safety issue falls under strict regulatory review. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has clear rules for handling unruly passengers. These rules categorize misconduct into three levels.

Level 1: Verbal harassment or physical gestures.
Level 2: Physically abusive behavior, including hitting or sexual harassment.
Level 3: Life-threatening behavior, including damage to aircraft operating systems.

An act of vandalism like carving into a window could be classified as a Level 2 or Level 3 offense. Following a complaint, an airline must refer the case to an internal committee. This committee decides the matter within 30 days and determines the duration of the flying ban. The DGCA maintains a No-Fly List based on data shared by airlines, which can impose a ban of varying lengths, starting with an immediate 30-day suspension. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) tracks such incidents globally, emphasizing the need for robust aviation regulatory action.

Operational and Financial Impact

Aircraft cabin windows are not made of traditional glass. They are typically constructed from specialized, multi-layered acrylic material. This material is designed to handle the immense pressure differences at cruising altitudes. Deep scratches or carvings compromise the integrity of the window's layers, potentially necessitating a full replacement.

Cost of Aircraft Repairs: Replacing an aircraft window is a complex maintenance task. It requires specialized tools and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified technicians.
Aircraft on Ground (AOG) Time: The most significant financial impact for an airline is the aircraft on ground time. Every hour an Airbus or Boeing aircraft is out of service for unscheduled maintenance costs the carrier substantial revenue.

This incident serves as a serious reminder for all passengers. Vandalism is not merely a lapse in civic sense. It is a costly act of damage to aircraft interior that compromises operational readiness and can lead to severe penalties. Airlines are increasingly vigilant against DGCA unruly passenger behavior to maintain safety standards.