I had my first experience with Air India on October 4, 2007, on flight 126 (ORD-FRA-BOM-BLR) in business class.
Let me first say I’ve had some pretty hellish transatlantic flight experiences (with other carriers) and I was very skeptical about flying with them after having read reviews, but, I had to get to India somehow and my company had purchased my ticket already. I was very pleasantly surprised when I had a smooth check-in experience at the Chicago desk. They followed my instructions of a window seat and helped me get my luggage to the security desk, since I had a few bags.
I made my way through security and then to the gate. I was nervous, as it was so full, but boarding went smooth and I took my seat in business class. I was immediately offered a drink and a newspaper by a very attentive male attendant. We took off pretty much on time without an issue. Not long afterward, we were served dinner. Being a diabetic, I had listed that as my preferred meal, which the female flight attendant confirmed with me. One thing I noted is that, unlike other carriers, they bring great meals and snacks of fruit, which is important for a diabetic to maintain proper blood sugar during such a flight.
Upon landing in Germany, I got off the plane and visited the business class lounge that AI shares with Lufthansa. Not long afterward, I went back to the gate and boarded once more, destination: Mumbai. We arrived in Mumbai early, and there was a back up of traffic which required us to circle for about 30 minutes. Once we touched down and got off the plane, we were met by gate agents pointing us to the right wing of the airport for our continuing flights.
I visited the business class lounge once again to freshen up before my flight to Bangalore. When my flight was called, I went to the gate, which is packed full of people waiting for about 4 different flights. I just had to listen closely for information regarding my flight, which was delayed by about an hour due to the gate agents cancelling a different flight.
Now, being that I had come in on the international terminal, it was only logic that I would now have to switch to domestic. Of course, in Mumbai, that means taking a shuttle between airports. This can be very chaotic to someone who is a novice to Indian travel, however, for myself, it was expected. I boarded the shuttle and we were taken to the awaiting A320 Indian Airlines plane.
Boarding the A320 from the airport tarmac was an all new experience, but nothing shocking. Delta Skywest connection flights do the same thing in Salt Lake City. Of course, the seat number printed on my ticket didn’t exist, so I just sat down in first class and figured I’d sort it after we got settled. A flight attendant asked if I needed help, so I showed her my first class ticket and she said "oh just sit where you’d like" since first class was nearly bare and assigned seating didn’t exist on this flight.
Takeoff was fast and unexpected, as no announcement came. I was a bit surprised people had suitcases outside the bins, but, being India, rules are rarely followed. The engine sounded like it had seen better days, but we made it off the ground so it must’ve been okay. It was a nice, quiet flight to Bangalore. No announcement made at landing, but for those of us who have flying experience, it isn’t hard to tell when the plane is going to land. Touchdown in Bangalore, and we got off the plane. I zoomed through customs and immigration, since I’d been through it before at this airport. I was expecting a huge delay in baggage, but it wasn’t delayed at all.
Overall, I would say I had a good experience with AI. But, I’ve spent time in India as well, and I have come to understand how their society works. I was working in India in 2006 for four months and again in 2007 for 3 months. I got used to delays and the common indifferent attitude, so what many Westerners might find bothersome, I was just used to it and could cope more easily.