India-based Airlines - Hello! First time AI F flyer.

Hi all,

Just wanted to say hello. Me and two friends are going to be flying AI F BOM-EWR this fall and thought I'd stop in and read some posts about the AI experience.

I'm enjoying a lot of threads in this forum. It seems that FTers in India section have a very friendly rapport. This forum isn't nearly as contentious as some others here. ;)

Hi all,

Just wanted to say hello. Me and two friends are going to be flying AI F BOM-EWR this fall and thought I'd stop in and read some posts about the AI experience.

I'm enjoying a lot of threads in this forum. It seems that FTers in India section have a very friendly rapport. This forum isn't nearly as contentious as some others here. ;)

hope you have a good trip....looking forward to a trip report....

If you are expecting AI F to be like SQ F, you will be very disappointed. It's definitely not a bad product, and it's probably a good deal for your money compared to other F products, but it's definitely not "Tier-1" F.

My predictions: The hard product will be great, the food will be nice, cabin crew will probably be professional and helpful. Ground experience will in all likelyhood be terrible when compared to other F products, and presentation will be very average. I've only been able to experience the hard product (seat) personally, and only while the aircraft was on the ground - the rest I understand from trip reports and my experience in other cabins...

Looking forward to hearing your trip report - I want to see if my predictions are right ;)

If you are expecting AI F to be like SQ F, you will be very disappointed.

I haven't had the pleasure of flying SQ F yet. My favourite so far is LX F, and I think that will be hard to beat. On my last RTW, we were scheduled to go out LX and back in TK (on the leased 9W aircraft with the suites), and the LX experience was so spectacular that we switched from TK to LX on the way back. And this was on the old LX hard product - the service is that good.

On the way out this time, I'm doing CX F, and I understand that to be a good product.

and it's probably a good deal for your money compared to other F products

Yeah, considering what I paid as part of the RGN debacle, it's a very good deal for my money. ;)

We have the option of KE F or AI F, and we're picking AI due to the better flight times and the fact that both of my companions on this trip love Indian food and culture.

Yeah, considering what I paid as part of the RGN debacle, it's a very good deal for my money. ;)

Oh :(
Taxpayer money wasted.
I'm not such a fan any more :(



We have the option of KE F or AI F, and we're picking AI due to the better flight times and the fact that both of my companions on this trip love Indian food and culture.

Maybe... err, maybe you're better off with KE after all :p

In all seriousness, I hope you have a great flight. Please do post a trip report :)

Thanks. BTW - I loved your post on the Air India signup page on their titles available.

Thanks. BTW - I loved your post on the Air India signup page on their titles available.

I am still a LION ;) :D. Sadly, no employee has commented yet :(

And do remember to sign up for a Flying Returns account - wasting all those miles would be a terrible idea :)

I am still a LION ;) :D. Sadly, no employee has commented yet :(

And do remember to sign up for a Flying Returns account - wasting all those miles would be a terrible idea :)

I'm hoping they join Star in time... :)

I'm hoping they join Star in time... :)

I'm hoping that too, but definitely don't hold your breath on it.

I think they suspended talks again. Eventually, Star will get desperate enough for an Indian partner, but I don't know when that will be.

Hi there. I was just wondering what flights you have out of RGN to BOM.....sectors and with who would be good as I have similar. My BOM-EWR is AI and other Sectors are supposed to be Malaysia RGN-KUL and Jet Airways operated by Malaysia KUL-BOM. Hi all,

Just wanted to say hello. Me and two friends are going to be flying AI F BOM-EWR this fall and thought I'd stop in and read some posts about the AI experience.

I'm enjoying a lot of threads in this forum. It seems that FTers in India section have a very friendly rapport. This forum isn't nearly as contentious as some others here. ;)

Just curious - which carrier filed the fare which you booked?

Hi all,

Just wanted to say hello. Me and two friends are going to be flying AI F BOM-EWR this fall and thought I'd stop in and read some posts about the AI experience.

I'm enjoying a lot of threads in this forum. It seems that FTers in India section have a very friendly rapport. This forum isn't nearly as contentious as some others here. ;)

AI is a great airline when they have their act together. I like their premium F/J products. Yes others here sing praises for LX/LH/SQ/EK but at the end of the day its what you pay for.

Some comments.
1. AI F has been typically sold out on all recent segments I've flown (DEL YYZ/ DEL ORD/ DEL JFK). Typically non Indians (i.e. not necessarily upgrades).
2. The benefit of AI F is really on the ground in BOM or DEL. AI BOM-EWR route is really crowded in Y. But they have provided what I call a bell man that helps you walk through the security line and escorts you on the aircraft bypassing the long boarding que. Very helpful at 2AM in the morning.
3. I've flow AI F on their old 744s and now the 777s'. Clearly the 777s with 4 seats in F are more intimate. The 744's used to have 8 seats on the lower deck. So with a travelling companion it is better.
4. If you have miles and more account you can claim F class fare towards miles and more. Note that "A" which is discounted first class fare does not count towards a miles and more credit. I learned that the hard way.
5. If you're a vegetarian their food is great.

I've really enjoyed AI F and not had any issues so far. Have a great trip.

Are you asking that question to me? ticket stock is 098 so I assume it is AI, would that be right? Just curious - which carrier filed the fare which you booked?

Are you asking that question to me? ticket stock is 098 so I assume it is AI, would that be right?

Yes, question for you. And yes 098 is AI ticket stock, so your ticket was issued by them. Interesting...

AI had the following fares filed on 5/2 for RGN-NYC:

W 19 CAD
J 23 CAD
F 35 CAD

AI had the following fares filed on 5/2 for RGN-NYC:

W 19 CAD
J 23 CAD
F 35 CAD

I really regret not hearing about this earlier. Even on my student salary, I'd be able to fly my entire extended family in F :D

Hi there. I was just wondering what flights you have out of RGN to BOM.....sectors and with who would be good as I have similar. My BOM-EWR is AI and other Sectors are supposed to be Malaysia RGN-KUL and Jet Airways operated by Malaysia KUL-BOM.

Same. MH is a good airline too; you'll enjoy it in biz.

Hi there. I was just wondering what flights you have out of RGN to BOM.....sectors and with who would be good as I have similar. My BOM-EWR is AI and other Sectors are supposed to be Malaysia RGN-KUL and Jet Airways operated by Malaysia KUL-BOM.

I've got the same sectors but I don't fly them till Jan 2013

Are yours ticketed with AI as well? I can see all sectors with Jet Airways PNR, AI PNR shows the KUL-BOM and BOM-EWR sectors so not RGN to KUL and I can't see anything with MH and the 5 digit PNR I have for them. does not look like heaps of people have booked this trip by reading the main thread on this. I've got the same sectors but I don't fly them till Jan 2013

Do you care to expand on interesting? thanks. Yes, question for you. And yes 098 is AI ticket stock, so your ticket was issued by them. Interesting...

Do you care to expand on interesting? thanks.

It means that it is AI's mistake.

Thanks, hopefully they are still around next year and honour. I don't think huge numbers were ticketed with AI. It means that it is AI's mistake.

Are yours ticketed with AI as well? I can see all sectors with Jet Airways PNR, AI PNR shows the KUL-BOM and BOM-EWR sectors so not RGN to KUL and I can't see anything with MH and the 5 digit PNR I have for them. does not look like heaps of people have booked this trip by reading the main thread on this.

Yes, my ticket is on AI stock as well.

I heard somewhere that only bookings made on MH site could be pulled up online on MH.com so that may be the reason you can't see them.

Yes I think you are right, I also read that MH has a different PNR to the one's when booked through a travel agent. You can ring and get the one to lookup on their site but I will be skipping doing that. Yes, my ticket is on AI stock as well.

I heard somewhere that only bookings made on MH site could be pulled up online on MH.com so that may be the reason you can't see them.