Flight Review Thread - Air India
#211
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 611
No menu cards on AI 131, they didn't get the card stock so read from a hand written list. No toiletries on any flight, just a paper pack containing an eye mask and socks (that eye mask is probably designed for a child, the tightest fit across any airline). Pajamas were offered on AI 111.
#212
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 611
I preferred the 787 with the 2-2-2 seating but liked the old fashioned window shades of the 77W that could provide complete darkness. The small, split J cabin in the 77W is also good if you like some semblance of privacy. So overall, a slight edge to the 787.
#213
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: 9W Plat, UK Plat, AI Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Taj IC Silver
Posts: 383
Flying DEL-CDG and FCO-DEL business in Apr. This is my first long haul on AI (usually prefer 9W), so a bit apprehensive? What should I expect?
Is a sleeping suit offered?
Is a sleeping suit offered?
#214
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
AI - the worst service in the Star Alliance
I flew AI 130 LHR-BOM on Jan 26.
The 788 pushed back 2 h late due to inbound delays. Fair enough...its LHR.
The map on the IFE did not work. The inflight service (in Y) was rudimentary at best.
I was traveling on a full Y tix. so I contacted AI for a paid upgrade. Their 1st response was contact AC. I did. AC said contact AI, so I did. AI said I could only upgrade on the day of the flight at LHR. So I tried. I was refused!
I have never heard of an airline refusing $$ for a paid upgrade? So I contacted AI customer service and asked for an explanation? To date I have only received a pro forma computer generated reply!
INO, AI has the worst customer service in the Star Alliance.
The 788 pushed back 2 h late due to inbound delays. Fair enough...its LHR.
The map on the IFE did not work. The inflight service (in Y) was rudimentary at best.
I was traveling on a full Y tix. so I contacted AI for a paid upgrade. Their 1st response was contact AC. I did. AC said contact AI, so I did. AI said I could only upgrade on the day of the flight at LHR. So I tried. I was refused!
I have never heard of an airline refusing $$ for a paid upgrade? So I contacted AI customer service and asked for an explanation? To date I have only received a pro forma computer generated reply!
INO, AI has the worst customer service in the Star Alliance.
#215
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 160
I flew AI 130 LHR-BOM on Jan 26.
The 788 pushed back 2 h late due to inbound delays. Fair enough...its LHR.
The map on the IFE did not work. The inflight service (in Y) was rudimentary at best.
I was traveling on a full Y tix. so I contacted AI for a paid upgrade. Their 1st response was contact AC. I did. AC said contact AI, so I did. AI said I could only upgrade on the day of the flight at LHR. So I tried. I was refused!
I have never heard of an airline refusing $$ for a paid upgrade? So I contacted AI customer service and asked for an explanation? To date I have only received a pro forma computer generated reply!
INO, AI has the worst customer service in the Star Alliance.
The 788 pushed back 2 h late due to inbound delays. Fair enough...its LHR.
The map on the IFE did not work. The inflight service (in Y) was rudimentary at best.
I was traveling on a full Y tix. so I contacted AI for a paid upgrade. Their 1st response was contact AC. I did. AC said contact AI, so I did. AI said I could only upgrade on the day of the flight at LHR. So I tried. I was refused!
I have never heard of an airline refusing $$ for a paid upgrade? So I contacted AI customer service and asked for an explanation? To date I have only received a pro forma computer generated reply!
INO, AI has the worst customer service in the Star Alliance.
#217
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
#218
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The Bay Area, USA
Posts: 158
Quick review...
Flight: AI 143
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Flight route: MAA-DEL-CDG (MAA-DEL on A321) on Nov 26
Booking class: Business
Seats: 2-3-2 layout, almost flat (the foot area doesn't come up fully)
What I liked:
~ Business class was barely a third full, so plenty of space
~ Service was fast & friendly, quick response when I needed anything between meals
~ Food quality & taste was excellent
What needs work:
~ Food is served all at once on a single tray
~ Entertainment system is great if you are a fan of Indian movies & music, but nothing else is available (and why does the map software not show expected time of arrival?)
~ No dedicated lounge in DEL
~ Online check in or seat selection refused to work, got some error message repeatedly (probably because of the split flight)
Overall: Not a bad flight, even though it was an hour late on departure due to some late connecting passengers. Let's see how the return goes tomorrow night.
Flight: AI 143
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Flight route: MAA-DEL-CDG (MAA-DEL on A321) on Nov 26
Booking class: Business
Seats: 2-3-2 layout, almost flat (the foot area doesn't come up fully)
What I liked:
~ Business class was barely a third full, so plenty of space
~ Service was fast & friendly, quick response when I needed anything between meals
~ Food quality & taste was excellent
What needs work:
~ Food is served all at once on a single tray
~ Entertainment system is great if you are a fan of Indian movies & music, but nothing else is available (and why does the map software not show expected time of arrival?)
~ No dedicated lounge in DEL
~ Online check in or seat selection refused to work, got some error message repeatedly (probably because of the split flight)
Overall: Not a bad flight, even though it was an hour late on departure due to some late connecting passengers. Let's see how the return goes tomorrow night.
How flat is almost flat? Is it just the foot part that is not flat? Does the rest of your body lie flat, just not your feet? I'm considering upgrading the flight.
#219
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MAA
Programs: BA bronze, Marriott silver
Posts: 2,804
It's October 2016 and it appears you still cannot self-select seats on split flights and I had to call in. One advantage in doing this is that they gave me a "preferred" seat in row 18, one row behind bulkhead, which supposedly costs $50, but I was not charged.
How flat is almost flat? Is it just the foot part that is not flat? Does the rest of your body lie flat, just not your feet? I'm considering upgrading the flight.
How flat is almost flat? Is it just the foot part that is not flat? Does the rest of your body lie flat, just not your feet? I'm considering upgrading the flight.
Yeah it is almost lie flat in that your feet are angled slightly downwards. And there are occasional minor glitches on some seats (cheap seat choice? lack of maintenance? stuff like trays / TV sets not sliding out easily etc). The seat is a bit hard though compared to some others - but with my back problems that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
#220
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 368
Flyer On Air India's Chicago Bound Flight Gets A Special Meal Onboard, A Mid-Air Cockroach Treat
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india...at-265647.html
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india...at-265647.html
#222
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ahmedabad, INDIA
Programs: Blasé..
Posts: 174
Yes operated by 777-300ER with fully flat seats in J (Only 200-LR have angled seats which fly on DEL-SFO/LHR routes)
#223
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
#224
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
DEL-SFO Air India 173 Review Needed
Hi,
I have an upcoming DEL-SFO trip. I was weighing my options for flights and the 15 hour,direct AI flight does seem very attractive.
Can anyone provide with some feedback/review about the flying experience on this route with Air India?
Regards
I have an upcoming DEL-SFO trip. I was weighing my options for flights and the 15 hour,direct AI flight does seem very attractive.
Can anyone provide with some feedback/review about the flying experience on this route with Air India?
Regards
#225
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
The 772LR used in the route has business class seats that don't go fully flat, other than that its the usual AI experience.
Last edited by oliver2002; Dec 26, 2016 at 3:41 am Reason: corrected