In the fast-paced world of online media, timing is everything—and this week, The New Yorker learned that lesson the hard way.
Just hours after a devastating plane crash in India that claimed over 200 lives, the magazine found itself in hot water for posting a cartoon about the inconveniences of air travel.
The Cartoon That Sparked Outrage
The now-deleted cartoon, created by longtime New Yorker artist Joe Dato, featured a man who had just missed his flight being snarkily told by an airport staffer, “You did say you wanted an earlier flight.”
The timing of the joke, posted just hours after the fatal Air India crash in Gujarat, did not go over well with readers.
Comments flooded in across social media almost instantly.
“This is very poor. Please erase it ASAP,” one person wrote.
Another added, “Omg read the room! How can y’all post this the day of one of the world’s deadliest aviation crashes??”
The New Yorker Responds
Roughly two hours after the cartoon went live, The New Yorker quietly removed it from Instagram.
Later, the publication issued a public apology, clarifying that the cartoon had been pre-scheduled before news of the crash broke.
“We have since deleted the post and regret the inadvertent poor timing,” a spokesperson said, acknowledging the backlash that had been mounting throughout the day.
A Pre-Scheduled Post Gone Wrong
Some social media users guessed what had happened before the magazine even confirmed it.
One wrote, “The dangers of scheduled posts,” while another urged fellow critics to “allow more time” before casting blame.
Although the cartoon originally ran back in 2015, its reappearance on such a tragic day stirred deep frustration online.
By mid-afternoon, The New Yorker had formally addressed the error and pulled the content from public view.
Tragedy in Gujarat: What We Know About the Crash
Meanwhile, authorities in India are still working through the wreckage of Air India Flight 171, which went down in the early hours near Ahmedabad.
As rescue efforts continue, officials have confirmed at least one survivor, though over 200 lives were lost.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, marking the first fatal crash involving this particular model since it entered service in 2011.
The plane, delivered to Air India in 2014, had accumulated more than 41,000 flight hours by the time of the crash.
Boeing’s Troubled History Resurfaces
The tragedy has once again placed Boeing under the microscope.
The crash reignited concerns that have followed the manufacturer for years, especially after whistleblower John Barnett went public with claims in 2024 that corners were being cut in the production of the 787.
Barnett tragically died by suicide shortly after speaking out.
Just months later, another Dreamliner experienced a midair incident that injured 50 people, lending further weight to his warnings.
Ongoing Fallout from Earlier Boeing Disasters
Boeing has already faced major scrutiny due to its 737 MAX line, which was involved in two separate crashes in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.
Those incidents grounded the MAX fleet for almost two years and triggered global investigations and lawsuits.
Earlier this June, Boeing reached a $1.1 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, a deal that included $444.5 million in compensation to the victims’ families to avoid criminal prosecution.
Spotlight on Aircraft Age and Maintenance
The ill-fated Air India plane had been in service for more than a decade, having taken its first flight in late 2013.
While its age alone may not be alarming by aviation standards, the crash has raised fresh concerns about maintenance, safety standards, and oversight for aging aircraft.
Looking Ahead: Investigations and Accountability
As the investigation continues, questions are swirling about the cause of the crash and whether it points to deeper issues within Air India or Boeing’s manufacturing process.
One thing is clear: this tragedy will likely prompt further scrutiny of aircraft safety, especially when it comes to Boeing’s Dreamliner fleet.
For now, the world mourns the loss of more than 200 lives—and many are left wondering how such a horrific event could unfold in 2025, with all the aviation advancements supposedly in place.
Meanwhile, The New Yorker’s cartoon blunder serves as a stark reminder of how even a pre-scheduled post can hit a nerve in times of grief.