Just to put things into perspective.

When it comes to Air India, the bashing begins and it generally follows the following pattern:

I flew Air India XX years ago, the plane was and old 747 held together with duct tape. The crew were fat, old and ugly, they couldn’t be bothered etc etc. the seats were old and the toilets were dirty etc etc. I will never fly them again!!!

I have to admit I have flown Air India last about 12 years ago from LHR-ORD and they were bad! I thought I would never fly them again.

Air India (and sister company Indian airlines) were the only Indian airline allowed to fly internationally, they had a monopoly and they became super complacent. Services were rubbish and there was no urgency to improve.

Now, AI have competition from Jet and Kingfisher, the government know they have to improve and with new aircraft (777 and 787) deliveries, they have improved on board comfort and the crews have become more friendly and customer service oriented. Unfortunately there are always rotten apples which survive culls and attempts to oust them.

Regarding issues like duct tape holding planes together. AI have one of the best engineering department and there is no way the DGCA would allow improperly maintained aircraft to fly and just to add, AI have sent all sorts of aircraft to the EU and USA but have never had any aircraft banned by the JAA (EU) or the FAA over maintenance issues (unlike PIA which had 747s/a310s banned by the EU).

People always seem to exaggerate the negatives onboard quality on Air India. Do you really think Indians have got nothing better to do then pick their own sh!t and smear it all over the restroom walls just for the hell of it! I take offence at this thought! I have been on some carriers which have a very basic and simple clientele (gulf carriers ex middle east) and I have yet to see sh!t all over the walls!

Get a grip, Air India was bad but with new aircrafts and competition, they SEEM to be improving.

I am willing to try them out and go with an open mind on there newer aircrafts and I think people should do the same.

But this Air India were crap 10 years ago and I would never travel again mantra needs to be put away. Its getting almost boring!