Happened to me on last week's flight to Detroit, on NorthWest, although the FA dashed to the nearest empty pax seat once the wheells hit the ground.

happened to my other half on an ATR, only because the pilots forgot the "Cabin crew, seats for landing".

Sometimes when the pilots receive clearence and its a straight in simple and quick approach (especially at smaller quieter airports), things are a little rushed and forget to realize that the crew could still be prepping the cabin for landing.

what's wrong?

These happened several years back
Once, the guy seated next to me in economy class "dissappeared" behind the curtain, came back with a smile and moved to business class. He told me that $50 did the trick!
The pilot suddenly announed the "termination" of the flight in London eventhough the flight was to continue to New York. Over 300 passengers were transferred to Emirates Airlines with much confusion. No one got any vegetarian meal and the flight didn't have any blankets or pillows.
Air India often gets delayed by a day. Although they are "on time" by clock is often late by a day! I can't understand how they are able to put hundreds of people in Hotels day after day.

You are not alone. AI is my airline of last resot, although I am interested in them getting * membership so that I can fly to the smaller places in india on an award. Hope they are generous with award seats.

....and another great experience recently on a HKG-BOM flight on AI in business: stopover in BKK. Alright, I thought, I get out and take a stretch and get back in. Not so: No leaving plane, all sit down, 'Clean Up Crew' while all are seated! I have never, ever experienced a clean up crew while passengers are seated. In addition to this wonderful experience, the engines were turned off, and also the air conditioning. Adios, AI! May you be Happy with *Alliance!

This will help Jet (I hope), who require all the help possible right now...as they continue to water down their award redemptions...

Speaking of Air India, last Jan 2008 I was on one of the last 747 flights in business class to DEL, before replaced with the new 777s, JFK-LHR-DEL

The flight out I swear that was one of the original 747s. VERY tired interior, no individual entertainment system in business class. IT WAS ROUGH. There was duck tape on the steps up to the upper level...

I was scared, haha.


On the way back the 747 was newer and was in much better shape.... Nonetheless I think things have improved dramatically with the new 777s

Picked up a AI flight at LHR to ORD on a 747-???. Flight originated in BOM. This was about 3 years ago.

Poop on the walls in the bathroom. Open suitcases in the aisles, on empty seats. Trash littered on seats, aisles and everywhere else. Children running back and forth up and down the aisles for all but an hour of the flight. Food service items not picked up for 2 hours after we ate. One drink service, one tea service, one water service. FAs refused to do anything. Told me to worry about myself only. Seats reclined and trays down on takeoff and landing. Worst flight ever. Funny thing is on the ORD-LHR leg two weeks earlier, it was one of the most pleasant coach flights ever, with fantastic service, excellent food and fantastically well-behaved customers.

I sent a letter to AI and the replied, quite briefly, with a response that stated they had spoken with the flight attendants on that flight and none of my complaints were experienced by the in-cabin crew. I considered writing the FAA or JAA but decided it wasn't worth it. Just made sure never to fly them again and sent a nasty-gram to UAL when I heard they were going to join *A. A real shame.

You got a reply????? Consider yourself lucky.

I am really surprised to see people still pay good money to fly AI when they have so much choice now days!

Actually, AI has changed substantially, I understand.

One of my friends prefers to fly the JFK-BOM 777 direct service and is *very* pleased with it.

However, I do not wish to gamble, and would try other options...primarily *A or Jet.

You said it all with that one word "gamble"

Just to put things into perspective.

When it comes to Air India, the bashing begins and it generally follows the following pattern:

I flew Air India XX years ago, the plane was and old 747 held together with duct tape. The crew were fat, old and ugly, they couldn�t be bothered etc etc. the seats were old and the toilets were dirty etc etc. I will never fly them again!!!

I have to admit I have flown Air India last about 12 years ago from LHR-ORD and they were bad! I thought I would never fly them again.

Air India (and sister company Indian airlines) were the only Indian airline allowed to fly internationally, they had a monopoly and they became super complacent. Services were rubbish and there was no urgency to improve.

Now, AI have competition from Jet and Kingfisher, the government know they have to improve and with new aircraft (777 and 787) deliveries, they have improved on board comfort and the crews have become more friendly and customer service oriented. Unfortunately there are always rotten apples which survive culls and attempts to oust them.

Regarding issues like duct tape holding planes together. AI have one of the best engineering department and there is no way the DGCA would allow improperly maintained aircraft to fly and just to add, AI have sent all sorts of aircraft to the EU and USA but have never had any aircraft banned by the JAA (EU) or the FAA over maintenance issues (unlike PIA which had 747s/a310s banned by the EU).

People always seem to exaggerate the negatives onboard quality on Air India. Do you really think Indians have got nothing better to do then pick their own sh!t and smear it all over the restroom walls just for the hell of it! I take offence at this thought! I have been on some carriers which have a very basic and simple clientele (gulf carriers ex middle east) and I have yet to see sh!t all over the walls!

Get a grip, Air India was bad but with new aircrafts and competition, they SEEM to be improving.

I am willing to try them out and go with an open mind on there newer aircrafts and I think people should do the same.

But this Air India were crap 10 years ago and I would never travel again mantra needs to be put away. Its getting almost boring!

I know what you are trying to say and I agree with you on most of it. I guess everyone is basing their feedback on what they have experienced.

I had to fly them a few months back as that was the only decent option I got at that time. It was on a 777 and my TV screen would not stay up and was fixed with duct tape (what is their fascination with this stuff???) The seat was broken and when I asked for a beer I was told that there were none chilled and it would take some time.

The worst part was that the toilet smelled like a local train toilet. Ok there was no cra*on the walls but why can't they just maintain the toilets. Does the shi* stink more as its from a Indian person. Nope! Its just a lack of proper cleaning.

Yeah I would fly them again as I feel that they have improved in the last few years but only when my first three choice are not available.