Flight Review Thread - Air India

Old Mar 8, 2017, 9:41 am
  #241  
 
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Originally Posted by glx
Any recent experience on AI191 DEL-EWR?

Have a choice between that in F and UA in J. I do quite like having wifi but it's not a dealbreaker to be disconnected for a bit.
Wouldn't UA be non-stop to EWR, while AI a one stop in BOM? If that is the case, some would be tempted to pick the non-stop. Wouldn't be me. I'd take F over UA!
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Old Mar 8, 2017, 11:24 pm
  #242  
 
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Experiences EWR-LON-EWR?

I had never heard of Air India until it showed up on a Kayak.com search for summer flights to London. It has an excellent fare for July and the times work well for us. However, after reading the first few posts in this thread I'm a bit cautious about booking with them.

Can anyone comment on their transatlantic coach service? I care more about comfortable seats than wifi or meals as it's a night flight and my goal would be to sleep most of it.

Also, is this a new route for them? The seat map shows wide open availability for our proposed dates.
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Old Mar 9, 2017, 12:32 am
  #243  
 
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It is a new route, operated by a 787. However, as with all 787 9-abreast Y configs in the world, it is rather tight. Meals would be good, no wifi.
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Old Mar 9, 2017, 10:14 am
  #244  
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Originally Posted by knit-in
Wouldn't UA be non-stop to EWR, while AI a one stop in BOM? If that is the case, some would be tempted to pick the non-stop. Wouldn't be me. I'd take F over UA!
same here....
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Old Apr 7, 2017, 3:27 am
  #245  
 
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Originally Posted by knit-in
Wouldn't UA be non-stop to EWR, while AI a one stop in BOM? If that is the case, some would be tempted to pick the non-stop. Wouldn't be me. I'd take F over UA!
Originally Posted by Keyser
same here....
And now that I have had a taste of the GVK lounge in BOM, I'd take the F even more so! In fact, I'd connect in BOM instead of a non-stop from DEL just for the opportunity to go through that lounge!
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Old Apr 10, 2017, 11:07 am
  #246  
 
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I just flew India to USA in J. I have nothing really new to add, but my main insight on this trip is that it really wouldn't take a whole lot to turn AI into a competitive airline. It could do it with relatively little cost and effort, and a little imagination. It just doesn't do it.

The 777 seat was creaky and wavy, but actually quite comfortable. The FAs were polite and willing. However, service is poorly organized, not the FAs fault but management's fault. The FAs don't seem to know how professional service is done; I didn't get the feeling that they are refusing to do it. If they were allowed to take a few rides on a Gulf airline, they would come back with ideas...

To get a drink or a refill, you have to ask.To get pyjamas, you have to ask (not that the pyjamas are worth asking for). They will give you nuts, and then the drink service doesn't come around for 30 min; then they serve drinks once and go away. No drink service with meals, other than water---unless you ask.

Improving the food would cost more, of course. The food was Y food, or cheap roadside lunch food. Chicken curry, dal, paneer---bland, no effort made to make something interesting or high quality.

The map had the wrong time, and kept zooming in on DEL even when the plane was over Greenland. No one from AI noticed it until I complained, and then they changed it a bit but didn't fix it. Some views had just the tail of the plane peeking in on the edge of the screen. (I remember that Airshow didn't work my last time either, 5 years ago. Maybe it has never worked in those 5 years, and none of the economy passengers ever complained.)

But still, it takes off, you get to sleep, it arrives reliably on the other side of the world; 90% is already in place. You'd think joining *A would have upped their game, but its pretty much what it was 5 years ago.
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Old Apr 18, 2017, 8:42 am
  #247  
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Originally Posted by deovrat
It is a new route, operated by a 787. However, as with all 787 9-abreast Y configs in the world, it is rather tight. Meals would be good, no wifi.
I had no issue to get an Emergency Exit seat at check-in. I am not sure, if my *G played a role, but I asked nicely anyway

PS. It was for ICN-HKG-ICN
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Old Apr 20, 2017, 11:40 am
  #248  
 
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Del-bom a321

Recently, in order to take advantage of the Egypt Air Business class deal BOM-JFK, I flew Air India from DEL to BOM.

The 7pm departure from DEL was on an A321. It was a Monday evening and the check in lines were short. The agent at the counter seemed like he was making polite conversation, but soon I felt his questions were somewhat invasive, like him wanting to know my age or where I lived and what the purpose of my visit to BOM was. Later, at BOM, while checking in for my MS flight, I was to go through this same line of questioning again. There I asked if this was a new procedure and I was told that it was.

The DEL agent wanted me to confirm if I had my laptop or any item with a battery pack in my checked luggage. He asked me this several times, just in case I could think of something. It was only later that I remembered that I had a beard trimmer that held two AA batteries in the checked bag, but by then there wasn’t much I could do about it.

The flight wasn’t very full. I was able to switch my seat from a full row of three to a row further ahead with an empty middle seat. The FAs were courteous and professional. Before departure, the gentleman in the row ahead of me asked to be moved to J. While the FA was polite, I could see that it was hard for him to be firm— understandable given the recent events of a politician assaulting a crew member for being declined the exact same request— and he tried to defer the man to after finishing his safety announcement. When later asked again the FA told him that it won't be possible, again polite but almost regretful. Not sure what the passenger’s entitlement to be upgraded was, but the situation thankfully didn't escalate to the bizarre level it had, a few weeks ago!

The Captain was a young woman, whom I had the opportunity to thank at the end of the flight. She was very professional and articulate during her announcements. She mentioned that since the winds were favorable we could perhaps be 20 minutes early in arriving at BOM.

The flight was uneventful. There was no IFE, so a quick nap helped pass the time. There was a dinner service. The choice was between a chicken dish and vegetarian. I chose the vegetarian option— mixed vegetables, rice and rajma (kidney beans). I was able to finish the rajma and rice but didn't really care for the vegetables. A generally forgettable meal.

Upon reaching BOM airspace, the captain came back on and was regretful that we would have to circle BOM for a while and would probably arrive at our scheduled time instead of earlier, as she had expected at the beginning of the journey.

The landing in BOM was smooth. The walk to the baggage claim area was long, but I was quite taken with the artwork in the new Terminal 2. The baggage claim area was equally impressive. The luggage arrived well in time and very soon I was off to find out how to make my way to the international check-in area for my MS flight.

Last edited by knit-in; Apr 20, 2017 at 2:00 pm
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Old May 18, 2017, 9:23 am
  #249  
 
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This is scathing!

Flight Review: Air India (777-300ER) Business Class From Delhi to New York

Last edited by knit-in; May 18, 2017 at 10:14 am Reason: Repaired the link
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Old May 18, 2017, 12:51 pm
  #250  
 
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This pretty much describes my own trip last month (mentioned a few posts above this one) except I didn't think to wipe down any part of the seat or divider with my hot towel and I am glad I didn't. First meal was a couple pieces of funny-tasting chicken, that's it. I was shaken awake for breakfast in the middle of the flight. Alcohol cart was brought out only for the third meal, and I would think most people wouldn't want to be buzzed just before landing in the morning. Flight map did not work correctly.
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Old May 18, 2017, 1:11 pm
  #251  
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The TPG guys was also mighty pissd for some reason. My guess is he had a grudge for not snagging a UA flight with his UA miles
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Old May 18, 2017, 1:48 pm
  #252  
 
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Originally Posted by SeeBuyFly
This pretty much describes my own trip last month (mentioned a few posts above this one) except I didn't think to wipe down any part of the seat or divider with my hot towel and I am glad I didn't. First meal was a couple pieces of funny-tasting chicken, that's it. I was shaken awake for breakfast in the middle of the flight. Alcohol cart was brought out only for the third meal, and I would think most people wouldn't want to be buzzed just before landing in the morning. Flight map did not work correctly.
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The TPG guys was also mighty pissd for some reason. My guess is he had a grudge for not snagging a UA flight with his UA miles
Yeah, TPG didn't quite mince words like SeeBuyFly did I think your conclusion redeemed the experience in general.

On another note, anyone have experience regarding booking AI non-stops with UA miles, like this TPG writer did?

From the TPG review:

"Booking this award wasn’t as simple as transferring points and selecting Air India on United’s site though. For whatever reason, I wasn’t able to see availability on this flight on United or Aeroplan’s websites, but a United supervisor was able to confirm space after working at it for 30 minutes or so."

I have been checking availability on UA's site but the nonstop DEL-JFK on AI doesn't show up at all for the many different dates I have tried.

Last edited by knit-in; May 18, 2017 at 1:53 pm
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Old Jun 11, 2017, 5:47 am
  #253  
 
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Going to write a long one as I feel it deserves every bit of word:

Took AI331/31 service from BKK-BOM-AMD on Friday - Was booked Economy by office and upgraded both the sectors using miles ~31750 for both the sectors - The Upgrade tool online in FR website worked perfect and to the point (Even did few upgrades for TG flights for sectors like BKK-HAN & SGN-BKK and was perfect) - New WebCheckin layout is also pretty cool with AI website!

Ground @ BKK: Proper Priority checkin with baggage tagged all the way to AMD with a "Priority" Tag - J boarding passes with "Fast Track" security lane card and "Miracle" Lounge Access card provided.

Lounge: OK - pathetically rude staff however decent layout of F&Bs (Not AI Fault); Even sneaked into Thai Royal Silk as was flying *A in J it was comparable to Miracle and either of them would have been fine!

Flight AI331 - BKK to BOM (VT-ANE/787-8): Proper Priority Boarding with escort to seat from a/c gate by very senior crew! 2 Senior Female and 1 Young Male crew in J with load of 15/18 seats (3 gate upgrades included) 3 types of Juices offered within 5 mins of being seated along with papers, magazines etc and towel service with options of both hot/cold - Offer to explain the seat features!

Upon door closing, very well stuffed AI Khadi Amenity kits provided which I feel is a a nice touch for a very small sector such as BKK-BOM! Seat belt sign kept on tad longer due to chops immediately upon takeoff - Promptly apologized by Captain for it and excellent updates from the flightdeck throughout the flight!

Drinks cart rolled out and all options available including Champagne with a free flow - Ur glass would be refilled before it sees bottom - Now that's perfect! Roasted almonds and nuts offered with free hand!

Meals excellent - Opted for Vegetarian Option and it was great with a side salad, sweet, cheese & crackers, paratha, bread! All in all an excellent meal with prompt requests for drink refills!

Again towel service following meal and additional water bottles offered! Prior to initiating descend, water/juice offered along with towels again!

Flight AI31 BOM to AMD (VT-ANE/787-8) - During transit, GVK East Lounge Access Card offered, was kept ready with my details as I was the only J passenger to AMD. Crowded Lounge!

Again proper priority boarding offered and immediately upon sitting offered a glass of water with a towel! Papers/Magazines with an offer of sandwich upon take off due to very short sector - which I declined and was allowed to rest the whole flight!

Upon landing, crew holded Y pax unless I got off - Special bus with only me inside in AMD terminal and a AI staff to help me clear my immigration in AMD fast - by the time I was out, only my bag was out as the only 1 with priority tag!

Overall, I was amazed by both the flights (9W/TG which were the other airlines I took in this trip were not even near to AI)!

I should also note that Crew announced prior only to take care of "Cell Phones" in J seats due to them falling - However, still a guy sitting across me (upgraded at gate) lost his phone in the seat immediately upon take off! Crew patiently opened the whole seat and retrieved his phone! Now that's service!

I fully know AI is hit or a miss but this particular 2 flights more so the BKK-BOM flight was truly where AI took to another level! (I was a regular AI144/191 to EWR (US) from AMD earlier in J for 5 years with a trip every alternate month however this flight was simply top notch!
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Old Jun 11, 2017, 7:36 am
  #254  
 
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Very nice & detailed report. I personally feel that the crew has a (comparatively) better hard product to work with on the 787 than on the 77W and it shows. Just my 2 cents though.

AMD immigration assistance is a good thing to know.

I've yet to have a bad Indian meal onboard AI and this one looks pretty filling too.
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Old Jun 11, 2017, 12:16 pm
  #255  
 
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Originally Posted by deovrat
I've yet to have a bad Indian meal onboard AI and this one looks pretty filling too.
"Filling" is about quantity, while good/bad is about quality. The J food on AI is unimaginatively cooked, similar to train meals in quality. There is certainly sufficient quantity, but I personally don't care.

Admittedly I am spoiled after flying QR and EY in J to/from India, and after eating good Indian food in India.

Last edited by SeeBuyFly; Jun 12, 2017 at 4:11 pm
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