Swanhunter
Jan 7, 03, 9:57 am
I though I would add a little to the body of knowledge here with a trip report for Jet Airways (9W). Having flown out to Mumbai on BA Club World, I was then due to fly on to Bangalore. There are three main domestic options in India – Indian Airlines (state owned and sister of Air India), Jet Airways and Sahara. Air India operate a very few domestic routes as add-ons to their International network. There is also Alliance Air, who fly way out in the boondocks on some very ratty looking 737-200’s!
I had spent a couple of nights at the Taj Mahal in Mumbai. Great location for the centre of town, but a VERY long way from the airport! This meant an early start for a 9.20 flight. Arriving at the airport there was a very clearly marked Jet Airways entrance to the rather old domestic terminal. Once inside, all hold bags are x-rayed and tagged. No one ever seems to have their bags actually checked after x-raying – does make you wonder just how good the security is.
9W 449 BOM - BLR
10/12/02
737-700
Seat 5A
Once through, there is a clearly marked Club Premiere (Business class) check in desk. There were 5 counters, with non-one using them. Each counter was manned with 2 people – a woman to check you in, a man to put your bag on the belt, attach labels etc. Very speedy! The whole process was friendly and highly efficient, and set the tone for all my 9W flights. Bizarrely, the BP had printed with my BA FF number on it, which seem odd as the only relationship Jet has is with KLM. Sadly no miles or points were forthcoming when I checked my statement. A lounge invitation was issued. I had a bit of fun of finding it – apparantly restaurant means lounge in Indian English.
The lounge itself is very spacious, decorated in Ikea-bland-modern style, but with a great view out over the ramp and the end of the runway. It’s run by Oberoi hotels. Coffee, tea and water is free along with nibbles. Food and other drinks can be had for a price. The lounge was busy with a very cosmopolitan mix of people and a constant procession of flights being called. A selection of reading material is also available. Not a bad facility, given the chronic under investment in Indian airports.
After about an hour’s wait, the flight was called. Security is a long, drawn out process. First your bags are x- rayed while you are wanded and patted down – and that is for everyone. Separate lines for ladies with curtains to preserve modesty! Your BP gets stamped at this point. Once you reclaim your hand luggage it is then hand searched in a pretty inefficient way. I can’t see how asking me if I have any sharp metal objects is going to achieve anything…… It’s mandatory to have a baggage tag as this is then stamped to prove you have been searched.
Once through these hurdles, you pass through the ‘gate’ area. There is not much here, just a few seats as far as I could see. Once your BP has been ripped up, the next hurdle is the airline's specific security checks. More stamps, more x-rays, more patting down. Very tiresome. Boarding itself is painless by very modern buses and stairs.
Once on board, the welcome was very warm. The flight was filling up quickly but the crew still managed drinks (juice and water as Jet are a dry airline), papers, towels and sweets along with the safety demo before take off! I was hugely impressed with this, as it was also accompanied with a huge dollop of charm and grace.
The seat is pretty much the standard US airline F seat – similar to AA’s 757. Seat pitch is a comfortable 38” and upholstered is a pleasant blue cloth. Pillows are also provided.
A longish taxi gave time for a most unusual pre-flight announcement, including advice not to take photos out of the windows and a reminder that this is a dry flight. Take off was swift, with spectacular views out over the city of Mumbai.
The in-flight service started with menus being distributed, and each passenger being greeted by name! I will put the menu on here when I find it, but there were 4 – yes 4 – choices for breakfast, with Western, India Vegetarian and Indian Non Vegetarian selections. Not being a big fan of chilli before lunchtime, I opted for the Western breakfast which was pretty good, let down by only having chicken for sausages and no bacon! Beef is out for Hindus, and pork for India’s large Muslim community so I guess there is little choice. I do seem to remember McCain potato wedges also featured largely!
Before this was served, tablecloths were laid, and pre-plated fruit and yoghurt served. The service that accompanied this was of a Singapore Airlines standard and in some way improved on it as it was very, very warm and didn’t have that slightly formulaic by the book feel that SQ can have. Coffee and tea was served before the tables were cleared and customer survey’s distributed. By this point I was totally blown away by the quality of the experience, and the feeling of satisfaction lasted all the way to the tarmac at Bangalore. A short taxi before we disembarked by stairs again. A short walk into the baggage hall and the only bum note of the entire trip. The priority bag tags seemed not to work, and mine was last on the carousel! Having seen the chaos that passes for baggage handling at BOM from the bus, I am quite glad that it turned up in the first place.
Overall, I was much impressed. It was my best short haul flight in business on any airline. In fact the only ‘short’ experience I can think of that comes close is the SQ F service on the SIN – KUL shuttle. I just hope 9W continue to prosper and sometime soon launch international service. I think they would do very, very well.
Hope that was of use – apologies for the rather turgid writing style – prose is not my strong point.
I had spent a couple of nights at the Taj Mahal in Mumbai. Great location for the centre of town, but a VERY long way from the airport! This meant an early start for a 9.20 flight. Arriving at the airport there was a very clearly marked Jet Airways entrance to the rather old domestic terminal. Once inside, all hold bags are x-rayed and tagged. No one ever seems to have their bags actually checked after x-raying – does make you wonder just how good the security is.
9W 449 BOM - BLR
10/12/02
737-700
Seat 5A
Once through, there is a clearly marked Club Premiere (Business class) check in desk. There were 5 counters, with non-one using them. Each counter was manned with 2 people – a woman to check you in, a man to put your bag on the belt, attach labels etc. Very speedy! The whole process was friendly and highly efficient, and set the tone for all my 9W flights. Bizarrely, the BP had printed with my BA FF number on it, which seem odd as the only relationship Jet has is with KLM. Sadly no miles or points were forthcoming when I checked my statement. A lounge invitation was issued. I had a bit of fun of finding it – apparantly restaurant means lounge in Indian English.
The lounge itself is very spacious, decorated in Ikea-bland-modern style, but with a great view out over the ramp and the end of the runway. It’s run by Oberoi hotels. Coffee, tea and water is free along with nibbles. Food and other drinks can be had for a price. The lounge was busy with a very cosmopolitan mix of people and a constant procession of flights being called. A selection of reading material is also available. Not a bad facility, given the chronic under investment in Indian airports.
After about an hour’s wait, the flight was called. Security is a long, drawn out process. First your bags are x- rayed while you are wanded and patted down – and that is for everyone. Separate lines for ladies with curtains to preserve modesty! Your BP gets stamped at this point. Once you reclaim your hand luggage it is then hand searched in a pretty inefficient way. I can’t see how asking me if I have any sharp metal objects is going to achieve anything…… It’s mandatory to have a baggage tag as this is then stamped to prove you have been searched.
Once through these hurdles, you pass through the ‘gate’ area. There is not much here, just a few seats as far as I could see. Once your BP has been ripped up, the next hurdle is the airline's specific security checks. More stamps, more x-rays, more patting down. Very tiresome. Boarding itself is painless by very modern buses and stairs.
Once on board, the welcome was very warm. The flight was filling up quickly but the crew still managed drinks (juice and water as Jet are a dry airline), papers, towels and sweets along with the safety demo before take off! I was hugely impressed with this, as it was also accompanied with a huge dollop of charm and grace.
The seat is pretty much the standard US airline F seat – similar to AA’s 757. Seat pitch is a comfortable 38” and upholstered is a pleasant blue cloth. Pillows are also provided.
A longish taxi gave time for a most unusual pre-flight announcement, including advice not to take photos out of the windows and a reminder that this is a dry flight. Take off was swift, with spectacular views out over the city of Mumbai.
The in-flight service started with menus being distributed, and each passenger being greeted by name! I will put the menu on here when I find it, but there were 4 – yes 4 – choices for breakfast, with Western, India Vegetarian and Indian Non Vegetarian selections. Not being a big fan of chilli before lunchtime, I opted for the Western breakfast which was pretty good, let down by only having chicken for sausages and no bacon! Beef is out for Hindus, and pork for India’s large Muslim community so I guess there is little choice. I do seem to remember McCain potato wedges also featured largely!
Before this was served, tablecloths were laid, and pre-plated fruit and yoghurt served. The service that accompanied this was of a Singapore Airlines standard and in some way improved on it as it was very, very warm and didn’t have that slightly formulaic by the book feel that SQ can have. Coffee and tea was served before the tables were cleared and customer survey’s distributed. By this point I was totally blown away by the quality of the experience, and the feeling of satisfaction lasted all the way to the tarmac at Bangalore. A short taxi before we disembarked by stairs again. A short walk into the baggage hall and the only bum note of the entire trip. The priority bag tags seemed not to work, and mine was last on the carousel! Having seen the chaos that passes for baggage handling at BOM from the bus, I am quite glad that it turned up in the first place.
Overall, I was much impressed. It was my best short haul flight in business on any airline. In fact the only ‘short’ experience I can think of that comes close is the SQ F service on the SIN – KUL shuttle. I just hope 9W continue to prosper and sometime soon launch international service. I think they would do very, very well.
Hope that was of use – apologies for the rather turgid writing style – prose is not my strong point.