AA to DEL
 

I recently had an opportunity to try AA's new ORD-DEL flt. I definitely recommend this to regular AA flyers. For others, I recommend a comparision with CO's EWR-DEL and pick your choice.

As a long time AA EXP, I've been waiting for AA's re-entry into the Indian market. the ORD-DEL flt is quite convenient (evening departure out of ORD and early morning arrival into ORD). I was flying to Southern cities (BLR, MAA, etc.) so I had to spend a night in DEL which is not all that convenient but I am used to transit flts on BA via BOM so this was no different.

For AA freq flyers, the upgrade availability on coach fares was decent. As an EXP, I get 8 oneway upgrades and more for multi-million mile thresholds. I used these to upgrade on both outbound and return segments. Otherwise, AA is pricey ($500 for RT upgrades + a lot of miles).

Can't wait to do this. Fares are cheaper from EWR than ORD because of CO. However apparently it looks like there are just 3 seats allocated to VIP upgrades from coach to business.

Aa Ord-del Coach
 

Flew ORD-DEL late Dec returning mid January. As a frequent traveler to Africa, I was surprised how inordinately long the flights seemed. Could be due to 2/3 of movie options being Bollywood films and seemingly tighter than normal seating. Not sure toilets were ever cleaned on return flight. Not a pretty picture.

The upgrade inventory keeps changing. Many of the biz class passengers seem to be VIP upgrades. I used to check the seating in coach and business and noticed that as the day of travel got closer, some of the good coach seats were vacated and correspondingly business class seats were being used up. Also, the agents in Delhi told me that there were quite a few upgrades.

I am feeling quite confident that AA will now add another flt to India. If it is not the rumored JFK-DEL, it will be something creative. The demand is obviously there. Even if the yields are not too high, they are decent enough compared to many other routes. Strategically, it gives them a strong presence in one of the worlds fastest growing markets.

There problems may have to do with sorting out the partnership with AirSahara (now acquired by Jet Airways, which has not yet been approved by DOT for US routes). They need to reach out to the different metros and markets within India.

More flights to India can only be a good thing!

I think the problem with AA and more flights to India is a lack of aircraft - they have two 777-223ERs due this year, and begin flights ORD-PVG. It will take some creativity to extend to another India destination - to say the least.

My understanding is that AA is quite pleased with the success in the Indian market with their new non-stop flts. Granted, equipment is the problem but AA considers the new growth in Asia strategic. Which means that if necessary, they'll divert some 777s from other routes (if those routes are replaceable by other types of aircraft) and move them to Asia routes. China and India are important elements of future growth.

AA was also hoping that Air Sahara would add some flts on which they could codeshare and add more capacity. That seems up in the air with the acquisition of S2 by Jet Airways and Jet's still pending approval by DOT for flt authorization to the US.