Originally Posted by
rsh913
Flew DEL-ORD in J yesterday. Interesting flight. Two guys got into fist fights with another guy in Y over booze and were bumped to J to cool them down. J was about 60% full (15pax).
On another note had a discussion of aircraft condition with two 25+ yr veteran pursars of AI. I complimented them on their very good service and they said they make a sincere effort to be good but aircraft quality needs to be improved and they are aware.
Towards the end of the discussion I asked about 777 service to ORD and they indicated AI might start HYD-ORD nonstop on 777-200LR this year but probably still fly the old 747-400s on BOM/DEL-ORD. I flew AI after 10 yrs and had mixed feelings because of the negative posts on this forum but I'd say their service is very very good and I did not see any problems with them.
Also saw in namaskar mag the AI has been "invited" to join star alliance and will do so this year.
That has been my experience too. Cabin service on AI is very good, even in economy. I haven't flown AI in J. Some of the pax who travel on AI need to learn that cabin crew are not their personal servants. I am not including those who complain about AI on FT in this group who need to behave, just that AI cabin crew have to contend with a larger share of unruly passengers. I have never been involved in delays, so I am unable to comment on how AI treats its passengers when their is a delay. But given the culture of public corporations, I can believe passengers suffer in case of delay as staff on the spot probably unable to make a decision without a nod from above. On all my AI flights, mostly medium haul, cabin service has been stellar. In one case, I forgot some papers of mine at the check in counter. They were hand delivered to me by the check-in agent after I was on board the aircraft.