Air India NYC - DEL Experience
Nov 10, 2014, 11:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Million Miler Gold, Delta Gold, Alaska/VX Gold, SPG Gold for Life
Posts: 47
Air India NYC - DEL Experience
Summary - Decent value, service not ideal westerners, older angle flat seats
Air India Flights 102/101 - NYC/DEL - Executive Class
Highs - Some nice touches, menus in leather book, silk pillow, comforter and blanket, great vegetarian choices, direct route was nice and we left/arrived on time, backend logistics seemed to work (no unexpected events, lost bags, late flights,
Lows - Angle flat electric seat with old 777 equipment, IFE is marginal, no flight map most of the time, limited but decent choices for movies. AI airport lounge in JFK, not many tables to work with plugs. Don’t expect much western food choices, but again vegetarian will be happy. Don’t remember seeing the showers or bathrooms. AI airport lounge in DEL is remodel and visually appealing. Bathrooms are very nice but selection of food remains mostly carbohydrate based with little fruit or protein. Check-in process is clunky - if you’re transferring from Star Alliance carrier (like UA) they have put you into the AI system which means waiting a the gate agent line and getting boarding pass and luggage moved over. Check-in process in DEL was poor - they have a section for Executive Class, but it’s understaffed by agents, but plenty of baggage handlers hovering over you. I waited about 15 minutes to check-in. You can’t check in too early either, they won’t check your back and give you a ticket > 4 hours ahead. Not a problem, except all the flights leave in the middle of the early morning.
Will I fly Air India again? - maybe, but will explore Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy which may provide better service at lower cost
Air India Flights 102/101 - NYC/DEL - Executive Class
Highs - Some nice touches, menus in leather book, silk pillow, comforter and blanket, great vegetarian choices, direct route was nice and we left/arrived on time, backend logistics seemed to work (no unexpected events, lost bags, late flights,
Lows - Angle flat electric seat with old 777 equipment, IFE is marginal, no flight map most of the time, limited but decent choices for movies. AI airport lounge in JFK, not many tables to work with plugs. Don’t expect much western food choices, but again vegetarian will be happy. Don’t remember seeing the showers or bathrooms. AI airport lounge in DEL is remodel and visually appealing. Bathrooms are very nice but selection of food remains mostly carbohydrate based with little fruit or protein. Check-in process is clunky - if you’re transferring from Star Alliance carrier (like UA) they have put you into the AI system which means waiting a the gate agent line and getting boarding pass and luggage moved over. Check-in process in DEL was poor - they have a section for Executive Class, but it’s understaffed by agents, but plenty of baggage handlers hovering over you. I waited about 15 minutes to check-in. You can’t check in too early either, they won’t check your back and give you a ticket > 4 hours ahead. Not a problem, except all the flights leave in the middle of the early morning.
Will I fly Air India again? - maybe, but will explore Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy which may provide better service at lower cost
Nov 12, 2014, 4:20 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,673
Nov 12, 2014, 12:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
The seat is lie flat and comfortable with good space for a taller flyer. Not sure where the angle-flat comment comes from?
It is quite likely that the front cabin will not be full (unlike e.g. UA) - so on check-in you can ask for a free seat next to you.
It is quite likely that the front cabin will not be full (unlike e.g. UA) - so on check-in you can ask for a free seat next to you.
Nov 13, 2014, 3:24 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Delhi, India
Programs: Air India Silver Edge, Jet Airways Silver
Posts: 271
Last time I flew on their 77W(2013), it was full lie-flat seating - 35 seats in a 2-3-2 layout. There was a small F-class section with 4 suites in a 1-2-1 layout.
On their 787, its just 18 seats in a 2-2-2 layout - again full iie flat!
Nov 17, 2014, 2:53 am
#6
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,162
77W and 787 have the same lie flat C seat. (Zodiac/Contour Aura Lite)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXdJqYhIIW..._Full_Flat.jpg
The 77L has this seat:
The leg rest there doesn't go full flat.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXdJqYhIIW..._Full_Flat.jpg
The 77L has this seat:
The leg rest there doesn't go full flat.
Nov 18, 2014, 12:59 am
#8
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VABB
Programs: AI-FR, 9W-JP
Posts: 723