AI - MAA to SIN
Apr 13, 2010 | 1:56 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: ANR / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,145
May 29, 2010 | 5:11 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
I FLY MAA-SIN-MAA on AI regularily in Business as it is the only day flight from MAA-SIN till Silkair starts on June 14th.
Honestly, I used to get extremely irritated with the lack of service until one day I changed my perception.
If you look at it - it is a Premium Economy experience. You are paying near SQ Y or SQ Y+10% fares and in return you get:
1) Biz Check-in with higher Baggage allowance
2) Lounge Access at Both ends
3) A larger seat with more legroom
4) A more personalized meal service, but economy style tray with economy style beverages
5) Off late they've operating 321's so you get some inflight entertainment
Honestly, if SQ were to bring its day flight back with AVOD etc etc I would choose SQ Y over AI Biz.
I doubt I'll be switching over to MI at 2.5 times the cost in Business class and will not fly MI economy for 4 hours.
However, a little perception shift in expectation will result in a much more pleasurable AI flying experience. The crew try very hard and the pricing on this sector is outstanding.
Honestly, I used to get extremely irritated with the lack of service until one day I changed my perception.
If you look at it - it is a Premium Economy experience. You are paying near SQ Y or SQ Y+10% fares and in return you get:
1) Biz Check-in with higher Baggage allowance
2) Lounge Access at Both ends
3) A larger seat with more legroom
4) A more personalized meal service, but economy style tray with economy style beverages
5) Off late they've operating 321's so you get some inflight entertainment
Honestly, if SQ were to bring its day flight back with AVOD etc etc I would choose SQ Y over AI Biz.
I doubt I'll be switching over to MI at 2.5 times the cost in Business class and will not fly MI economy for 4 hours.
However, a little perception shift in expectation will result in a much more pleasurable AI flying experience. The crew try very hard and the pricing on this sector is outstanding.
A question: In MAA, is there a Biz-class check-in for the daytime MAA-SIN AI flight? There was only two check-in agents/counters total when I did this flight in Jan. I am hoping to do this again in July. Would like to avoid the long lines!
May 29, 2010 | 9:30 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA PP; A3 *G
Posts: 26
if your flight is in the day and u are in biz.. just walk over to the counter and let them know u r flying biz 
for myself i was flying out of chennai @ night and there were no dedicated biz counters - just had to walk up to the counter and was served ahead of the rest.
for myself i was flying out of chennai @ night and there were no dedicated biz counters - just had to walk up to the counter and was served ahead of the rest.
May 29, 2010 | 1:15 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
if your flight is in the day and u are in biz.. just walk over to the counter and let them know u r flying biz
for myself i was flying out of chennai @ night and there were no dedicated biz counters - just had to walk up to the counter and was served ahead of the rest.
for myself i was flying out of chennai @ night and there were no dedicated biz counters - just had to walk up to the counter and was served ahead of the rest.
Jun 1, 2010 | 12:45 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: LONDON
Programs: CX DM, BA G4L, QR PLT, EK PLT, Hyatt CC, HH DM, SQ SLTRE, BonvoyTit, UK SL, VS Wings, UA, DL, AA
Posts: 1,756
Seperate J counters are hit or miss with AI, sometimes they don't bother. Don't be shy, go to the side of the counter and inform them you are flying J, they will process you right away
Jun 1, 2010 | 2:34 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Also, I really agree with you with the day-time flights on AI. It is indeed convenient for such a short flight. Too much to pay for SQ or MI
Jul 29, 2010 | 8:56 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA PP; A3 *G
Posts: 26
Guess What?!?
I was supposed to fly on Tiger Airways (Budget) to Chennai and return 2 days later back to SG.
However, they cancelled the flight from SIN to MAA without any notice AND at this happened just 1hr prior to the actual departure time.
They pushed passengers over to Air India and Air India Express Flights in the morning. By the time I arrived at the counter, all seats had been taken up (I kept watch on airline websites and seatcounter, ita, etc).
Finally had to book a 1-Way on 9W from SIN to MAA. First time on 9W Y and hope it will not disappoint. Regret not booking J though. In my haste just thought of getting from Point A to B!
I was supposed to fly on Tiger Airways (Budget) to Chennai and return 2 days later back to SG.
However, they cancelled the flight from SIN to MAA without any notice AND at this happened just 1hr prior to the actual departure time.
They pushed passengers over to Air India and Air India Express Flights in the morning. By the time I arrived at the counter, all seats had been taken up (I kept watch on airline websites and seatcounter, ita, etc).
Finally had to book a 1-Way on 9W from SIN to MAA. First time on 9W Y and hope it will not disappoint. Regret not booking J though. In my haste just thought of getting from Point A to B!
Jul 29, 2010 | 8:57 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA PP; A3 *G
Posts: 26
I am still at Changi Airport as 9W departs in 10 hours time.
Since I was *supposed* to be flying budget, I did not bring my Priority Pass - Any guys here would know if I still can access the lounge? Or at a fee?
Since I was *supposed* to be flying budget, I did not bring my Priority Pass - Any guys here would know if I still can access the lounge? Or at a fee?
Jul 29, 2010 | 9:21 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
some credit cards get you lounge access as well....you can always ask them at the lounge if you can pay for access....i'm sure they will allow it....
Jul 29, 2010 | 10:24 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA PP; A3 *G
Posts: 26
Unfortunately, all lounges are within the immigration/transit area and these guys at SG won't let me in. Grr
So much for early web check-in
Rotting at CoffeeBean now.
Am looking forward to the 9W flight though. First time on it. Mostly flew on either budget or AI to MAA from SIN due to the cost difference.
Jul 29, 2010 | 4:52 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Thanks Saad.
Unfortunately, all lounges are within the immigration/transit area and these guys at SG won't let me in. Grr
So much for early web check-in
Rotting at CoffeeBean now.
Am looking forward to the 9W flight though. First time on it. Mostly flew on either budget or AI to MAA from SIN due to the cost difference.
Unfortunately, all lounges are within the immigration/transit area and these guys at SG won't let me in. Grr
So much for early web check-in
Rotting at CoffeeBean now.
Am looking forward to the 9W flight though. First time on it. Mostly flew on either budget or AI to MAA from SIN due to the cost difference.
I do like their service.
Seats are cramped. Hope you got an exit row or something like that.
Jul 30, 2010 | 2:26 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Thanks Saad.
Unfortunately, all lounges are within the immigration/transit area and these guys at SG won't let me in. Grr
So much for early web check-in
Rotting at CoffeeBean now.
Am looking forward to the 9W flight though. First time on it. Mostly flew on either budget or AI to MAA from SIN due to the cost difference.
Unfortunately, all lounges are within the immigration/transit area and these guys at SG won't let me in. Grr
So much for early web check-in
Rotting at CoffeeBean now.
Am looking forward to the 9W flight though. First time on it. Mostly flew on either budget or AI to MAA from SIN due to the cost difference.
Jul 30, 2010 | 5:30 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
Aug 1, 2010 | 6:50 am
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA PP; A3 *G
Posts: 26
- can't expect royal treatment of Y anyways (:Since it was a last minute booking, i immediately performed my web check-in and got seats behind the exit row - was travelling with my parents so it was a good configuration of A, B, C.
Overall, good experience on my first 9W international flight.
Incidentally, I just got of a 9W domestic ATR72 from Madurai and am having a 4 hour break before departing back to SIN on Tiger.
Thanks Bro! Yes I did!
Fare Code: W; Fare Basis: W2A14AJK Edit: <-- Sorry, typed this off my domestic ticket. oops.
Below is the correct info for the OW Fare:
Fare Code: V; Fare Basis: V1LOWSG
Good Side? - 100% Mileage Accrual
Last edited by intelmaster; Aug 1, 2010 at 7:02 am Reason: Edit Flight Info