Opportunity to fly Air India....Shall I go for it?
Jul 9, 2015, 7:03 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
All things considered (and I've actually had some pretty good UA GF flights), I think LX/LH are going to offer a consistently better product than UA connecting to AI. AI is ok, but it's really just a bed. Service is genuinely friendly and attentive, but they just don't have that much soft product to work with.
(If there was an option to take UA the whole way in GF, I'd take that over LX/LH biz however.)
Jul 9, 2015, 10:07 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VABB
Programs: AI-FR, 9W-JP
Posts: 723
If you are willing to mix & match, AI flies to LHR, FRA, CDG, BHX, MXP, FCO from DEL! All except LHR are operated by B788. LHR is 1x B788 + 1 B77W daily.
You got plenty of transit options between JFK/EWR and DEL. Since, it's a mileage redemption, try something out of the blue- like an airport you haven't been to or maybe an aircraft type you haven't flown on.
Do report back on what you finalise!
PS: In the past week, AI's vintage B744 operated twice on DEL-JFK along with a couple of flights on DEL-DXB as well. But these were unplanned swaps. Unpredictable
You got plenty of transit options between JFK/EWR and DEL. Since, it's a mileage redemption, try something out of the blue- like an airport you haven't been to or maybe an aircraft type you haven't flown on.
Do report back on what you finalise!
PS: In the past week, AI's vintage B744 operated twice on DEL-JFK along with a couple of flights on DEL-DXB as well. But these were unplanned swaps. Unpredictable
Jul 9, 2015, 10:38 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ahmedabad, INDIA
Programs: Blasé..
Posts: 174
Most common flights that are swapped are AI101/102 for positioning a/c (mainly B744 for President/PM travels) in BOM/DEL.
Jul 9, 2015, 10:47 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VABB
Programs: AI-FR, 9W-JP
Posts: 723
AI1 is being operated by VT-ESO.
Jul 10, 2015, 7:39 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Wow, tough call.
All things considered (and I've actually had some pretty good UA GF flights), I think LX/LH are going to offer a consistently better product than UA connecting to AI. AI is ok, but it's really just a bed. Service is genuinely friendly and attentive, but they just don't have that much soft product to work with.
(If there was an option to take UA the whole way in GF, I'd take that over LX/LH biz however.)
All things considered (and I've actually had some pretty good UA GF flights), I think LX/LH are going to offer a consistently better product than UA connecting to AI. AI is ok, but it's really just a bed. Service is genuinely friendly and attentive, but they just don't have that much soft product to work with.
(If there was an option to take UA the whole way in GF, I'd take that over LX/LH biz however.)
What kind of a lounge does AI have in LHR for Business? Its a 6 hour layover if I do take the UA/AI route.
Jul 10, 2015, 7:43 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
If you are willing to mix & match, AI flies to LHR, FRA, CDG, BHX, MXP, FCO from DEL! All except LHR are operated by B788. LHR is 1x B788 + 1 B77W daily.
You got plenty of transit options between JFK/EWR and DEL. Since, it's a mileage redemption, try something out of the blue- like an airport you haven't been to or maybe an aircraft type you haven't flown on.
Do report back on what you finalise!
PS: In the past week, AI's vintage B744 operated twice on DEL-JFK along with a couple of flights on DEL-DXB as well. But these were unplanned swaps. Unpredictable
You got plenty of transit options between JFK/EWR and DEL. Since, it's a mileage redemption, try something out of the blue- like an airport you haven't been to or maybe an aircraft type you haven't flown on.
Do report back on what you finalise!
PS: In the past week, AI's vintage B744 operated twice on DEL-JFK along with a couple of flights on DEL-DXB as well. But these were unplanned swaps. Unpredictable
I will certainly post what I finally decide, although it will eventually end up being what is available on the day of booking, since my date of travel is still somewhat up in the air.
Jul 10, 2015, 8:03 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
The first class terminal in Frankfurt, the service and food on board. LH F is probably one of the top two First classes in the world. If you can score a 747-400 (rather than the newer 747-800 model) even better!
Jul 10, 2015, 8:09 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
If you are willing to mix & match, AI flies to LHR, FRA, CDG, BHX, MXP, FCO from DEL! All except LHR are operated by B788. LHR is 1x B788 + 1 B77W daily.
You got plenty of transit options between JFK/EWR and DEL. Since, it's a mileage redemption, try something out of the blue- like an airport you haven't been to or maybe an aircraft type you haven't flown on.
Do report back on what you finalise!
PS: In the past week, AI's vintage B744 operated twice on DEL-JFK along with a couple of flights on DEL-DXB as well. But these were unplanned swaps. Unpredictable
You got plenty of transit options between JFK/EWR and DEL. Since, it's a mileage redemption, try something out of the blue- like an airport you haven't been to or maybe an aircraft type you haven't flown on.
Do report back on what you finalise!
PS: In the past week, AI's vintage B744 operated twice on DEL-JFK along with a couple of flights on DEL-DXB as well. But these were unplanned swaps. Unpredictable
Booking an AI connecting to another * alliance carrier could become a disaster, IMHO.
Jul 10, 2015, 6:46 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
if you haven't flown LH F before, don't give the points a second thought! it'll be the trip of a lifetime... worth 2x any business class.
The first class terminal in Frankfurt, the service and food on board. LH F is probably one of the top two First classes in the world. If you can score a 747-400 (rather than the newer 747-800 model) even better!
The first class terminal in Frankfurt, the service and food on board. LH F is probably one of the top two First classes in the world. If you can score a 747-400 (rather than the newer 747-800 model) even better!
If I were able, I would, of course. And your description makes it sound even more enticing. The NYC-FRA is on a 747-8 though.
Jul 10, 2015, 6:48 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Jul 10, 2015, 6:55 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
Deaprting from the anywhere in Europe you are covered by EU261, so delays will either be minimised (alternative flights or carriers) or you'll get some hefty compensation. I wouldn't be too concerned about connections/departures ex Europe.
Jul 10, 2015, 9:01 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
I was meaning it would be worth it to take just one trip overseas on LH F rather than have two trips in business (one now and saving points for later!)
Deaprting from the anywhere in Europe you are covered by EU261, so delays will either be minimised (alternative flights or carriers) or you'll get some hefty compensation. I wouldn't be too concerned about connections/departures ex Europe.
Deaprting from the anywhere in Europe you are covered by EU261, so delays will either be minimised (alternative flights or carriers) or you'll get some hefty compensation. I wouldn't be too concerned about connections/departures ex Europe.
Both your points are well taken. Thank you for all your input. ^
Jul 10, 2015, 9:45 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VABB
Programs: AI-FR, 9W-JP
Posts: 723
Avoid LHR, if you plan to connect onwards onto an AI flight.
AI is still at LHR T4, while all other *A carriers are at T2. The delay has something to do with the contract of their lounge at T4, which is due to expire later this year. Following which they should move to T2.
The AI Lounge at T4 is pre-security. Nothing fancy, but functional. Isn't operational 24x7, but opens up a few hours before STD.
On a side note, have you considered the flying F on LH via FRA. The LH F lounge is awesome i hear.
AI is still at LHR T4, while all other *A carriers are at T2. The delay has something to do with the contract of their lounge at T4, which is due to expire later this year. Following which they should move to T2.
The AI Lounge at T4 is pre-security. Nothing fancy, but functional. Isn't operational 24x7, but opens up a few hours before STD.
On a side note, have you considered the flying F on LH via FRA. The LH F lounge is awesome i hear.
Jul 11, 2015, 9:06 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Avoid LHR, if you plan to connect onwards onto an AI flight.
AI is still at LHR T4, while all other *A carriers are at T2. The delay has something to do with the contract of their lounge at T4, which is due to expire later this year. Following which they should move to T2.
The AI Lounge at T4 is pre-security. Nothing fancy, but functional. Isn't operational 24x7, but opens up a few hours before STD.
On a side note, have you considered the flying F on LH via FRA. The LH F lounge is awesome i hear.
AI is still at LHR T4, while all other *A carriers are at T2. The delay has something to do with the contract of their lounge at T4, which is due to expire later this year. Following which they should move to T2.
The AI Lounge at T4 is pre-security. Nothing fancy, but functional. Isn't operational 24x7, but opens up a few hours before STD.
On a side note, have you considered the flying F on LH via FRA. The LH F lounge is awesome i hear.
LH in F was discussed just a few posts above.
Jul 15, 2015, 12:06 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Update:
Thanks for all your advice on this NYC-DEL award trip. While the final result did not include AI, I feel i must update here as I had promised to. I have booked a combo of UA Global First (777) to FRA, connecting to LH Biz (A380) to DEL.
While there is still a chance that I'd have to delay my trip by a day, in which case, the only option besides AI (via BOM in J) would be Austrian via Vienna in J (opinions?), I think its worthwhile to block this UA F+ LH J combo.
Thanks again!
Thanks for all your advice on this NYC-DEL award trip. While the final result did not include AI, I feel i must update here as I had promised to. I have booked a combo of UA Global First (777) to FRA, connecting to LH Biz (A380) to DEL.
While there is still a chance that I'd have to delay my trip by a day, in which case, the only option besides AI (via BOM in J) would be Austrian via Vienna in J (opinions?), I think its worthwhile to block this UA F+ LH J combo.
Thanks again!