Flight Review Thread - Air India
#256
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
A friend recently did FRA-DEL rt in AI J and was pretty happy. Outbound he got a new(er) 788 which was pretty clean and in good shape, good food, decent wine and PJs together with bedding. He is Turkish, so I asked him to compare it to TK (which he loves), who have the same seat in their B777 and A330. He said he felt it was on par. On the outbound the crew was nice and proactive.
On the way back he was on the first gen 788, which show their 'age'. Crew was good, but not proactive, PJs and amenity kits were not handed out as it was a 'day flight'. He specifically asked for a kit & PJ, and the purser looked for one in the galley and got it for him.
Food and wine was good for him both ways, better on the way back.
On the way back he was on the first gen 788, which show their 'age'. Crew was good, but not proactive, PJs and amenity kits were not handed out as it was a 'day flight'. He specifically asked for a kit & PJ, and the purser looked for one in the galley and got it for him.
Food and wine was good for him both ways, better on the way back.
#257
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Going to write a long one as I feel it deserves every bit of word:
Took AI331/31 service from BKK-BOM-AMD on Friday - Was booked Economy by office and upgraded both the sectors using miles ~31750 for both the sectors - The Upgrade tool online in FR website worked perfect and to the point (Even did few upgrades for TG flights for sectors like BKK-HAN & SGN-BKK and was perfect) - New WebCheckin layout is also pretty cool with AI website!
Ground @ BKK: Proper Priority checkin with baggage tagged all the way to AMD with a "Priority" Tag - J boarding passes with "Fast Track" security lane card and "Miracle" Lounge Access card provided.
Lounge: OK - pathetically rude staff however decent layout of F&Bs (Not AI Fault); Even sneaked into Thai Royal Silk as was flying *A in J it was comparable to Miracle and either of them would have been fine!
Flight AI331 - BKK to BOM (VT-ANE/787-8): Proper Priority Boarding with escort to seat from a/c gate by very senior crew! 2 Senior Female and 1 Young Male crew in J with load of 15/18 seats (3 gate upgrades included) 3 types of Juices offered within 5 mins of being seated along with papers, magazines etc and towel service with options of both hot/cold - Offer to explain the seat features!
Upon door closing, very well stuffed AI Khadi Amenity kits provided which I feel is a a nice touch for a very small sector such as BKK-BOM! Seat belt sign kept on tad longer due to chops immediately upon takeoff - Promptly apologized by Captain for it and excellent updates from the flightdeck throughout the flight!
Drinks cart rolled out and all options available including Champagne with a free flow - Ur glass would be refilled before it sees bottom - Now that's perfect! Roasted almonds and nuts offered with free hand!
Meals excellent - Opted for Vegetarian Option and it was great with a side salad, sweet, cheese & crackers, paratha, bread! All in all an excellent meal with prompt requests for drink refills!
Again towel service following meal and additional water bottles offered! Prior to initiating descend, water/juice offered along with towels again!
Flight AI31 BOM to AMD (VT-ANE/787-8) - During transit, GVK East Lounge Access Card offered, was kept ready with my details as I was the only J passenger to AMD. Crowded Lounge!
Again proper priority boarding offered and immediately upon sitting offered a glass of water with a towel! Papers/Magazines with an offer of sandwich upon take off due to very short sector - which I declined and was allowed to rest the whole flight!
Upon landing, crew holded Y pax unless I got off - Special bus with only me inside in AMD terminal and a AI staff to help me clear my immigration in AMD fast - by the time I was out, only my bag was out as the only 1 with priority tag!
Overall, I was amazed by both the flights (9W/TG which were the other airlines I took in this trip were not even near to AI)!
I should also note that Crew announced prior only to take care of "Cell Phones" in J seats due to them falling - However, still a guy sitting across me (upgraded at gate) lost his phone in the seat immediately upon take off! Crew patiently opened the whole seat and retrieved his phone! Now that's service!
I fully know AI is hit or a miss but this particular 2 flights more so the BKK-BOM flight was truly where AI took to another level! (I was a regular AI144/191 to EWR (US) from AMD earlier in J for 5 years with a trip every alternate month however this flight was simply top notch!
Took AI331/31 service from BKK-BOM-AMD on Friday - Was booked Economy by office and upgraded both the sectors using miles ~31750 for both the sectors - The Upgrade tool online in FR website worked perfect and to the point (Even did few upgrades for TG flights for sectors like BKK-HAN & SGN-BKK and was perfect) - New WebCheckin layout is also pretty cool with AI website!
Ground @ BKK: Proper Priority checkin with baggage tagged all the way to AMD with a "Priority" Tag - J boarding passes with "Fast Track" security lane card and "Miracle" Lounge Access card provided.
Lounge: OK - pathetically rude staff however decent layout of F&Bs (Not AI Fault); Even sneaked into Thai Royal Silk as was flying *A in J it was comparable to Miracle and either of them would have been fine!
Flight AI331 - BKK to BOM (VT-ANE/787-8): Proper Priority Boarding with escort to seat from a/c gate by very senior crew! 2 Senior Female and 1 Young Male crew in J with load of 15/18 seats (3 gate upgrades included) 3 types of Juices offered within 5 mins of being seated along with papers, magazines etc and towel service with options of both hot/cold - Offer to explain the seat features!
Upon door closing, very well stuffed AI Khadi Amenity kits provided which I feel is a a nice touch for a very small sector such as BKK-BOM! Seat belt sign kept on tad longer due to chops immediately upon takeoff - Promptly apologized by Captain for it and excellent updates from the flightdeck throughout the flight!
Drinks cart rolled out and all options available including Champagne with a free flow - Ur glass would be refilled before it sees bottom - Now that's perfect! Roasted almonds and nuts offered with free hand!
Meals excellent - Opted for Vegetarian Option and it was great with a side salad, sweet, cheese & crackers, paratha, bread! All in all an excellent meal with prompt requests for drink refills!
Again towel service following meal and additional water bottles offered! Prior to initiating descend, water/juice offered along with towels again!
Flight AI31 BOM to AMD (VT-ANE/787-8) - During transit, GVK East Lounge Access Card offered, was kept ready with my details as I was the only J passenger to AMD. Crowded Lounge!
Again proper priority boarding offered and immediately upon sitting offered a glass of water with a towel! Papers/Magazines with an offer of sandwich upon take off due to very short sector - which I declined and was allowed to rest the whole flight!
Upon landing, crew holded Y pax unless I got off - Special bus with only me inside in AMD terminal and a AI staff to help me clear my immigration in AMD fast - by the time I was out, only my bag was out as the only 1 with priority tag!
Overall, I was amazed by both the flights (9W/TG which were the other airlines I took in this trip were not even near to AI)!
I should also note that Crew announced prior only to take care of "Cell Phones" in J seats due to them falling - However, still a guy sitting across me (upgraded at gate) lost his phone in the seat immediately upon take off! Crew patiently opened the whole seat and retrieved his phone! Now that's service!
I fully know AI is hit or a miss but this particular 2 flights more so the BKK-BOM flight was truly where AI took to another level! (I was a regular AI144/191 to EWR (US) from AMD earlier in J for 5 years with a trip every alternate month however this flight was simply top notch!
#258
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Both have great food and drinks.
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,597
got caught in a bit of a bait & switch situation with ai last night....was flying from bbi-del & was booked in business class....when i got on the plane this is what the business class cabin was like....
different coloured economy class seating in the first 3 rows separated by a curtain....
they did offer business class service like a welcome drink, magazines, dining, etc....but the seats were the same as in economy class....similar to what many european carriers offer within europe....
my client was footing the bill but if i had paid for a business fare & i got these seats then i wouldn't be happy....
different coloured economy class seating in the first 3 rows separated by a curtain....
they did offer business class service like a welcome drink, magazines, dining, etc....but the seats were the same as in economy class....similar to what many european carriers offer within europe....
my client was footing the bill but if i had paid for a business fare & i got these seats then i wouldn't be happy....
#261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,597
#262
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: BOM
Programs: UK Silver, UA Gold
Posts: 163
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,597
#264
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
Looks like they are now offering C 'service' in the A320 that are configured with an all-Y cabin. Earlier this year I opted for 9W instead of AI on the CCU-BOM feeder to my LH flight because the AI flight was all Y.
#265
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ahmedabad, INDIA
Programs: Blas..
Posts: 174
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,597
it was definitely one of the older aircrafts....i'm taking the same flight again next week so i'll check....
#267
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Gold | Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
Based on my two recent flights, it looks like AI is increasing the number of flights that have European-style business class rather than true business class. I experienced the following two aircraft configurations, neither of which are on SeatGuru (although the first one matches the SeatGuru economy-only A320 configuration).
AI417 DEL-IXR
-32A on ExpertFlyer, seatmap showed 3 rows business/row 28 is last row (same number of seats as economy-only A320 V1 on SeatGuru)
-onboard product was European-style business class with non-slimline seats
-middle seats were blocked
-when we took this flight in February 2016, it had true business class seating.
AI263 DEL-TRV-MLE
-32A on ExpertFlyer, seatmap showed 3 rows business/row 30 is last row
-onboard product was European-style business class with more slimline seats (it seems that they squeezed in 2 more rows of economy into the A320 by using slimline seats)
-middle seats were blocked
-aircraft tail number was VT-EXA
Attached is a photo of the slimline seats on row 1 on VT-EXA for AI263. The seats on AI417 were the same as those posted earlier in this thread by Keyser.
AI417 DEL-IXR
-32A on ExpertFlyer, seatmap showed 3 rows business/row 28 is last row (same number of seats as economy-only A320 V1 on SeatGuru)
-onboard product was European-style business class with non-slimline seats
-middle seats were blocked
-when we took this flight in February 2016, it had true business class seating.
AI263 DEL-TRV-MLE
-32A on ExpertFlyer, seatmap showed 3 rows business/row 30 is last row
-onboard product was European-style business class with more slimline seats (it seems that they squeezed in 2 more rows of economy into the A320 by using slimline seats)
-middle seats were blocked
-aircraft tail number was VT-EXA
Attached is a photo of the slimline seats on row 1 on VT-EXA for AI263. The seats on AI417 were the same as those posted earlier in this thread by Keyser.
Last edited by makavel; Oct 30, 2017 at 7:33 am Reason: Clarification
#269
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 939
BOM-SIN-BOM flights on AI
Hi there,
Just flew BOM-SIN and SIN-BOM on AI in J class. Outbound was very good
experience. The purser was genuinely interested in offering good service.
Made sure everyone was called by their name and provided real
good service.
Return crew was total garbage ! No amenity kit provided (is that normal
for a 7:30 PM departure ?), Was incorrectly explaining the menu (No
menu cards ?), Skipped many customers for hot towels including me etc. etc.
No finesse in their service..
Hard product is nice with full flat seats...Entertainment was not that
great.. Price was much better compared to SQ..
F.A.
Just flew BOM-SIN and SIN-BOM on AI in J class. Outbound was very good
experience. The purser was genuinely interested in offering good service.
Made sure everyone was called by their name and provided real
good service.
Return crew was total garbage ! No amenity kit provided (is that normal
for a 7:30 PM departure ?), Was incorrectly explaining the menu (No
menu cards ?), Skipped many customers for hot towels including me etc. etc.
No finesse in their service..
Hard product is nice with full flat seats...Entertainment was not that
great.. Price was much better compared to SQ..
F.A.
#270
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Gold | Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
The flight attendant on our DEL-TRV-MLE flight did say something about AI trying these seats "for now" but it wasn't really clear what he meant.