Flight Review Thread - Air India
Jan 2, 2023, 8:59 am
#406
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
My trip back to the US in business class was much the same as my trip put (report above). This time the staff were all male, and eager to be of service, but somewhat by-the-book. For example, my SO wasn't feeling well and quite visibly did not touch any of her food...the FA picking up the tray asked her earnestly if she had enjoyed her meal.
On the way back there are snacks after early-am takeoff, breakfast after 6 hours, and lunch after another 6 (so the last meal is served 3 hours before landing of the 15 hour flight). The food is boring, chicken-chicken-chicken or paneer-paneer-paneer. But ex-DEL there were menus. The problem is that they didn't have enough menus for everyone, so we were asked to share, and the menus were taken away as soon as we ordered.
Receipt of luggage for each flight was acknowledged by e-mail and text both ways, a nice touch that is spoiled by the fact that the notices are not sent until after takeoff, and of course there is no wifi or cell service on board. IFE and map worked fine. Cleanliness has improved.
The foot of the bed sagged more than usual, making sleep less comfortable than it could have been.
Still, it is nice to land in the early a.m. and get home through almost no traffic.
On the way back there are snacks after early-am takeoff, breakfast after 6 hours, and lunch after another 6 (so the last meal is served 3 hours before landing of the 15 hour flight). The food is boring, chicken-chicken-chicken or paneer-paneer-paneer. But ex-DEL there were menus. The problem is that they didn't have enough menus for everyone, so we were asked to share, and the menus were taken away as soon as we ordered.
Receipt of luggage for each flight was acknowledged by e-mail and text both ways, a nice touch that is spoiled by the fact that the notices are not sent until after takeoff, and of course there is no wifi or cell service on board. IFE and map worked fine. Cleanliness has improved.
The foot of the bed sagged more than usual, making sleep less comfortable than it could have been.
Still, it is nice to land in the early a.m. and get home through almost no traffic.
Last edited by SeeBuyFly; Jan 5, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Jan 2, 2023, 9:16 am
#407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Does anyone know if a 13yr old can sit in row 11 or row 12 DEF? Row 11 is exit row so I guess its only for over 15's but row 12 seems to be a bulkhead so would two kids be allowed there?
Jan 2, 2023, 9:34 am
#408
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
Jan 4, 2023, 2:29 am
#411
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
Nothing to do with transfers but in the past I have always been contacted on the day of the flight so that they know what time I am arriving at the airport. An AI associate has always met me at my car & escorted me through check-in & to the lounge.
Jan 5, 2023, 1:11 am
#412
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
Only EK (J & F) offers airport transfers in DEL AFAIK. More to your point AI certainly doesn’t.
Jan 5, 2023, 4:25 am
#413
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,582
Jan 5, 2023, 4:15 pm
#414
Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 973
Recently went on AI on economy BOM-DEL-ORD, this is my second time on AI international. Food was excellent in both sectors (cannot remember I had any better than this, and I fly United or Qatar or Star carriers mostly). BOM-DEL was a short flight so nothing to write about, flight was on time, and full, but had to go through a bus upon arrival at DEL. They sent me texts on my luggage transfer. The AI business class lounge was not the best, but on par with United lounges in US. No alcohol due to some rule in Delhi, atleast that is what they stated. Food was ok.
DEL-ORD 772: Flight was comfortable, seats were spacious for economy (3-3-3) vs (3-4-3 on UA or EK). Tried to get a paid upgrade, but business class was full. IFE needs improvement, the remote was broken, but touch screen worked, map feature did not work, movie selection was ok for English but surprisingly not many in Hindi or regional languages, there was 1 each for a few languages. Considering there were several from Southern India, should have more in Regionals, this is were QR or EK do much better. Fight arrived before schedule and baggage arrived without delay at ORD. FAs did what they were supposed to, but not too attentive, toilets were clean the entire flight. Overall needs improvement, especially IFE and seats (mine was ok but several others had trouble with their seat not reclining).
DEL-ORD 772: Flight was comfortable, seats were spacious for economy (3-3-3) vs (3-4-3 on UA or EK). Tried to get a paid upgrade, but business class was full. IFE needs improvement, the remote was broken, but touch screen worked, map feature did not work, movie selection was ok for English but surprisingly not many in Hindi or regional languages, there was 1 each for a few languages. Considering there were several from Southern India, should have more in Regionals, this is were QR or EK do much better. Fight arrived before schedule and baggage arrived without delay at ORD. FAs did what they were supposed to, but not too attentive, toilets were clean the entire flight. Overall needs improvement, especially IFE and seats (mine was ok but several others had trouble with their seat not reclining).
Jan 6, 2023, 12:45 am
#415
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
Yes I think so - EK & EY did a major cost (benefits) cutting sometime before the pandemic where they removed all kinds of perks. Also, even for EK it’s only for revenue pax. J awards pax on EK need to find their own way to the airport.
Jan 6, 2023, 5:03 am
#416
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Jan 15, 2023, 5:59 pm
#417
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Will be flying EWR-DEL in F in March. Any recent experiences of the soft product in F? How’s the food/wines/Champagne? I also have a long layover at DEL before connecting to SIN in J—any idea what the ground services/lounge experience would be like coming off an F flight? Thanks
Jan 16, 2023, 2:30 am
#418
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Ground services: they will meet you at the aircraft door and carry your hand luggage to the F section of the AI lounge. There an attendant will get you your food & drink from the (meagre) lounge offerings.
Inflight AI F is marginally better than J.
Inflight AI F is marginally better than J.
Jan 16, 2023, 6:34 am
#419
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
Will be flying EWR-DEL in F in March. Any recent experiences of the soft product in F? How’s the food/wines/Champagne? I also have a long layover at DEL before connecting to SIN in J—any idea what the ground services/lounge experience would be like coming off an F flight? Thanks
Jan 16, 2023, 11:51 am
#420
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Thanks for the swift replies! Honestly what you describe is still better than what I was expecting. Am not expecting to be wowed but given the long flight will be happy to have some drinkable wines onboard.