This was way back in Feb when swine flu was unheard of.

I have not flown 9W from EWR-BOM, but have heard only good things about this route (I've done several SIN-BOM on 9W and they are awesome!)

I have done several long hauls LAX-TPE-SIN-BOM on SQ, LAX-HK-BOM on Cathay, EWR-LHR-BOM on VS and compared to all CO was the worst experience.

While VS food is the worst (in air, clubhouse is great!), CO had very bad service.

VS, SQ, Cathay make the long journey bearable with the superior entertainment and service.


from my incoming CO48 flight (EWR-BOM):
1) Chaotic check-in at EWR. THey have the DEL and BOM fights leaving around the same time and have a sepearte section for check-in for India flights. Took a good 60 mins to get thru.

2) Boarding announcements not audible at EWR, causing mad rush to get in.

3) Once in, no one to greet and guide passengers(not a big deal)

4) I was asked by cabin crew (rudely) to gate check my only small carry on (a laptop bag which also had my documents) even when I had already found a place. She wanted to fit in a gigantic strolley bag and said my laptop bag was taking too much space and I should gate check or keep it under seat(def not on a 14 hr flight). I told her to leave and managed to fit both myself.

5) No fumigation before landing in BOM. Have flown many many airlines into india and never seen any airline miss this. Its required by Indian law.

6) Compared to any other airlines with have AVOD, CO has bad collection of movies (all old)

7) 5 minutes before landing in BOM- cabin crew annoounced "we have begun our descent". At touchdown -we still had cabin crew running to get to their seats. The lavatory was still occupied!!!

8) On leaving the aircraft - coach and business class were leaving simultaneously. No cabin crew to tell coach pax to wait till businessFirst cabin is done. Must have been frustating for the BF passengers.

9) CO did not carry India Immigration arrival forms. To be fair the CO agent that greeted our flight at arrival handed out these forms to everyone..

Will I chose CO again for this sector ?
Maybe. Its because CO (and EK) do include most of their taxes in their ticket price. Which means that when booking reward tickets (or thankYou points for fixed flight redemptions - not available any more), you only pay $50 or so in taxes. Compared to VS or 9W or anoyone else - one would have to shed $450 in taxes in addition to the miles.