Looking to book an Air India business or first seat from Delhi to Jeddah for this week. Since I am a little flexible with dates the option really is flying del-mum-jed on the 747-400 or direct on the 777-300er. .Which of these would provide better seats in business and/or first? Any of them provide for a flat bed in business? Also would there be a difference in the miles I earn with the Mumbai stopover as compared to the direct flight? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
SpeedFreak
Jul 25, 12, 12:26 pm
Looking to book an Air India business or first seat from Delhi to Jeddah for this week. Since I am a little flexible with dates the option really is flying del-mum-jed on the 747-400 or direct on the 777-300er. .Which of these would provide better seats in business and/or first? Any of them provide for a flat bed in business? Also would there be a difference in the miles I earn with the Mumbai stopover as compared to the direct flight? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
The Bom Jed flight departed today on a 777. They will probably use either of 747, 777 or 330 on this route. 330 will definitely not be used this week. I would disregard everything you said and just go direct del Jed. It's not worth the trouble transiting at Bombay even on the same aircraft, for a slightly better seat for an odd 5 hour
On another note, there is no flat bed on the 747 in business. There is a flat bed in first on the 777. Dont know about 747 first.
Babu
Jul 25, 12, 12:45 pm
Dont know about 747 first.
747s have 12 flat bed seats in a 2-2 configuration.
PVDtoDEL
Jul 25, 12, 7:06 pm
If it's on the same flight number, you will get the same amount of miles regardless of whether you transit BOM or not.
Keyser
Jul 26, 12, 2:25 am
i would go for the direct flight....just stick to del-jed....
ashwini
Jul 26, 12, 6:44 am
Thank you all, booked on first direct, hopefully would be a good first 'first' experience.
Babu
Jul 26, 12, 6:58 am
I've enjoyed nothing but gracious and warm onboard service in Air India's F class (J and Y have been hit or miss IME).
Hope you enjoy your flight, and please report back on your experience!
AJLondon
Jul 26, 12, 7:14 am
I've enjoyed nothing but gracious and warm onboard service in Air India's F class (J and Y have been hit or miss IME).
Hope you enjoy your flight, and please report back on your experience!
Can't comment about J/Y, but yes, I do agree with F. The aunties can be really maternal. I remember as a spotty teen, being fussed over on a DEL-LHR flight in AI F, and been given all the ice-cream they had, much to the chagrin of the only other F pax, a certain Mr. L. Paes. ;)
I've enjoyed nothing but gracious and warm onboard service in Air India's F class (J and Y have been hit or miss IME).
Hope you enjoy your flight, and please report back on your experience!
Can't comment about J/Y, but yes, I do agree with F. The aunties can be really maternal. I remember as a spotty teen, being fussed over on a DEL-LHR flight in AI F, and been given all the ice-cream they had, much to the chagrin of the only other F pax, a certain Mr. L. Paes. ;)
O definitely. The AI ladies (and ladaas too!) typically do a nice job, especially in the pointy end. Its also evident that they've been trained well, are capable. Its the rest of the paraphernalia that let's the experience down.
I mean its not her fault catering decided to load a BMC school picnic lunch, is it ?
One things for sure though (for me at least) : the younger staff on the other airlines with all their boundless energy are no match for the experience of the AI ladies.
on the flip side, when they're grumpy, watch out ! :)
Hahah! You're right I should have specified presentation (tinfoil containers, clingfilm, wafer packets...)
AJLondon
Jul 26, 12, 8:26 am
On the very same flight in AI F, I have been offered:
Sublime:
- delightful helping of caviar with the main meal ^ (albeit with a metal spoon! :o )
Ridiculous:
- When I asked for an inflight snack midflight, I was offered a 25g packet of some "Haldiram bhujia mix", with a printed price of Rs 12 on the back, and a best before of the flight date itself! :eek: I then asked for a small plate and a napkin, which was provided, albeit a little grudgingly.
Just like one minute you will get wine delicately poured into a goblet like an experienced sommelier. The next minute a giant plactic bottle of coke will appear and half the beverage will end up on the floor.
The experience can range from the ridiculous to the sublime all on the same flight. Keeps things (unintentionally) entertaining!
O and AJ - maybe the pearl spoons are lying in various cutlery drawers across Bombay :)
ashishp
Jul 26, 12, 9:33 pm
- When I asked for an inflight snack midflight, I was offered a 25g packet of some "Haldiram bhujia mix", with a printed price of Rs 12 on the back, and a best before of the flight date itself! :eek: I then asked for a small plate and a napkin, which was provided, albeit a little grudgingly.
bhujia mix/wafers may have been bought from Y class stock because the J/F stock was either over or spoilt/contaminated.
AI staff have bought these kurkure stuff couple of times before in J (i cant afford F). When I smiled, the hostess, a youngish girl, prolly ex Jet Airways, apologised and mentioned that the regular starters had been "contaminated' when during ground halt in DEL.
later into flight, when i was having a post-dinner drink with my movie, she bought nuts that had been warmed in the microwave as an apology. i thought it was nice.
happens.
jasepl
Jul 26, 12, 9:39 pm
bhujia mix/wafers may have been bought from Y class stock because the J/F stock was either over or spoilt/contaminated.
AI staff have bought these kurkure stuff couple of times before in J (i cant afford F). When I smiled, the hostess, a youngish girl, prolly ex Jet Airways, apologised and mentioned that the regular starters had been "contaminated' when during ground halt in DEL.
later into flight, when i was having a post-dinner drink with my movie, she bought nuts that had been warmed in the microwave as an apology. i thought it was nice.
happens.
Once, or a few times sure. It happens.
But the Haldiram / Kurkure / wafer packets have long been a regular feature of AI's haute Cuisine! I've been given them myself plenty of times (and I've happily eaten them too); there's also several trip reports that show the same thing.
Just like one minute you will get wine delicately poured into a goblet like an experienced sommelier. The next minute a giant plactic bottle of coke will appear and half the beverage will end up on the floor.
The experience can range from the ridiculous to the sublime all on the same flight. Keeps things (unintentionally) entertaining!
or an offer of ice cubes in my red wine .... ;)
jasepl
Jul 26, 12, 11:26 pm
or an offer of ice cubes in my red wine .... ;)
Hahah!
Yep, it's all usually well-intentioned and matronly. But often kind of tragi-comic.
In regards to the original question, non-stop is the way to go if possible. The experience will likely not wow most folks, but it won't kill anyone either.
Off-aircraft, however, if there are the slightest irrops of some sort, then all bets are off; AI have the distinct talent of making the worst of a bad ground situation.
ashishp
Jul 27, 12, 6:11 am
Once, or a few times sure. It happens.
But the Haldiram / Kurkure / wafer packets have long been a regular feature of AI's haute Cuisine! I've been given them myself plenty of times (and I've happily eaten them too); there's also several trip reports that show the same thing.
HOLD ON! They bought packets in J? Even if it was kurkure or chips, they bring it in bowls right?
was this on an IC flight(332 OR A32S) or ai FLIGHT? IC operated flights do serve nuts/chips out of IC/AI branded packets ( i should have a pic somewhere), but that is more of a regional J product.
inexcusable if on AI! You shd b writing to them.
Yaatri
Jul 27, 12, 6:14 am
It's interesting.
On the very same flight in AI F, I have been offered:
Sublime:
- delightful helping of caviar with the main meal ^ (albeit with a metal spoon! :o )
The caviar, most likely travellerd in a can (metal). Is it one of those myths, or does a metal spoon really influence the taste?
Ridiculous:
- When I asked for an inflight snack midflight, I was offered a 25g packet of some "Haldiram bhujia mix", with a printed price of Rs 12 on the back, and a best before of the flight date itself! :eek: I then asked for a small plate and a napkin, which was provided, albeit a little grudgingly.
No silverware? I do love bhujiya, but hate to get my hands messy.
You might have been served at least a fork on some airlines, if not chop-sticks. ;)
jasepl
Jul 27, 12, 6:26 am
HOLD ON! They bought packets in J? Even if it was kurkure or chips, they bring it in bowls right?
was this on an IC flight(332 OR A32S) or ai FLIGHT? IC operated flights do serve nuts/chips out of IC/AI branded packets ( i should have a pic somewhere), but that is more of a regional J product.
inexcusable if on AI! You shd b writing to them.
Oh yea. This isn't my picture, but you get the idea:http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z23/sutrakhk/Flight/Japan/Part7/020.jpg
And no, that plate doesn't count :)
Keyser
Jul 27, 12, 6:43 am
Oh yea. This isn't my picture, but you get the idea
And no, that plate doesn't count :)
is this in business or first????
Babu
Jul 27, 12, 6:44 am
What do you suppose is the beige colo(u)red beverage?
What do you suppose is the beige colo(u)red beverage?
"Sham-pain" from the rolling hills of Maharashtra? ;)
hyderago
Jul 27, 12, 7:50 am
I would actually prefer to eat Kurkure or Haldiram's bhujia straight from the packet than from a bowl. Call me crazy, but it just seems to taste more authentic eating from the packet. Just like how eating Indian food with my hand makes it taste better for some reason I can't explain.
What do you suppose is the beige colo(u)red beverage?
"Sham-pain" from the rolling hills of Maharashtra? ;)
Haha.
At least they're supporting the "local" farmers !
Babu
Jul 27, 12, 8:02 am
I was going to comment that the stemware used is inappropriate for champagne. But now that I see that it's really sham-pain, it's all good. Carry on. [perhaps a steel tumbler would be more fitting?]
Yaatri
Jul 27, 12, 8:18 am
I would actually prefer to eat Kurkure or Haldiram's bhujia straight from the packet than from a bowl. Call me crazy, but it just seems to taste more authentic eating from the packet. Just like how eating Indian food with my hand makes it taste better for some reason I can't explain.
Judging Indian meal service with western tinted glasses is a mistake. Can you imagine bieng served one item at a time? Papad, followed by roti/naan, then rice, then daal, raita,, matar paneer/butter chicken, followed by your pickles................ :D
In some parts of India a traditional Indian meal began, still does, with four Laddoos (desert).
So what if an FA did not know caviar is not served with a metal spoon, although the requirement that something nonmetallic must be used to serve caviar might be a myth? It's an airline man. A meal on the plane is the least important part of my trip.
It's not just Indian food that's better or easier, if eaten with one's hands. Shrimp, fried chicken, spar ribs. People eat nuts with their hands. Suddenly it's a no, no to eat haldiram's bhiujiya with your hand?
It's nice to be pampered a little, but not getting my bhujiya packet on a plate does not stir me to complain.
Yaatri
Jul 27, 12, 8:19 am
What do you suppose is the beige colo(u)red beverage?
"Sham-pain" from the rolling hills of Maharashtra? ;)
Or ginger ale. Shaken, not stirred. :D
Yaatri
Jul 27, 12, 8:23 am
or an offer of ice cubes in my red wine .... ;)
I wonder why! She asked you when serving you wine? Was it the same FA who served you the wine? Maybe she thought you were drinking coke, some of which had made its way to the floor. Did you look like someone who would want ice with their red wine? :p
Just kidding.
jasepl
Jul 27, 12, 8:45 am
I would actually prefer to eat Kurkure or Haldiram's bhujia straight from the packet than from a bowl. Call me crazy, but it just seems to taste more authentic eating from the packet. Just like how eating Indian food with my hand makes it taste better for some reason I can't explain.
Its not the end of the world. It won't kill us to have to open a foil package. And the contents won't taste any different.
Some of us might even prefer it that way for any of a number of reasons (eg: if its an unfamiliar food item or brand, I need to see the ingredients to decide if I should be eating it).
Agreed that that lapse in service quality doesn't make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.
But it's just not First.
In Business, many airlines do just give you the nasta in the foil package. Though sometimes they do attempt to use a customised packaging (BA) or a premium-ish brand (AF).
Whilst I'm not a fan of it personally, it is what it is.
The one airline I know that doesn't give you anything in the original packagins is Delta. Everything is poured or plated into the appropriate container before serving. And there are no trolleys in sight, except a dessert cart. Even their amenity kit as well as some of the contents are branded "Delta".
It can be better for the airline that way, because they can get away with generic, no-brand things.
What do you suppose is the beige colo(u)red beverage?
Thank you for kind of using the correct spelling of the word "coloured". In future, the brackets may be dispensed with. :)
A2A
Jul 27, 12, 3:21 pm
She asked you when serving you wine? Was it the same FA who served you the wine? Maybe she thought you were drinking coke, some of which had made its way to the floor.
yes mi lord, it was the same FA and this was an aunty, not a noob, so assuming she has done enough trips to be able to fill her home with AI branded cutlery as well as upholstry! And if she thought she served me red wine and thought it was coke, i don't know what she was smoking. :o