19th Dec 2009 Jet Airways Dubai Mumbai - BUSINESS CLASS
At check-in my requested seat had been given to another passenger without any information.
I reached the gate at 9.25pm thinking that the flight would be boarding for a 10pm departure. We did not board until 9.45pm or maybe even 9.50pm. There was no announcement indicating a delay nor was there any apology.
There was also NO Jet Airways staff at the gate.
I was the first one who limped on board the flight with a sprained ankle. In normal situations, the IFE is always at the entrance. However, in our case the IFE was not there but two crew at the entrance but there was not even a smile, forget any greeting or a welcome on board wish.
As soon as I boarded, I informed the crew that I had a bad headache and needed a crocin and some water immediately and also some pain relieving ointment from the first aid box for my injury. She asked me if I had eaten anything. To this I replied that I hadn’t but to pls urgently bring me the crocin. For more than 20 minutes, the crocin was not provided while my headache just got worse. The pain relief ointment was conveniently forgotten.
After three reminders, and great annoyance the crew brought the crocin(with the excuse of the medication being at the back but due to the heavy volume of hand luggage, she was helpless). So, the crocin arrived but the water did not. So again I had to request for water. I was SO FRUSTRATED with the crew. I knew it was going to be a EXTREMELY POOR travel experience.
This crew member did not even apologize and kept making faces throughout the flight.
When the flight manager learned of what happened, he then brought the pain relief ointment, 25 mins after the time it was requested. It would be relevant to mention that the first aid box was at the front of the aircraft. So, what took them so long to respond and two reminders, is something beyond my understanding.
The flight manager was extremely apologetic and was genuine(he even offered to apply the pain relief gel himself, which I declined, but the gesture was truly caring) He came around many times trying to convince me to eat. He truly was feeling sorry! Unfortunately, the damage was done!
The crew member who was distributing landing forms for Indian immigration seemed to be quite presumptuous. She handed two forms to the lady sitting besides me(just because she saw me talking to her and presumed we were travelling together) but did not give me one. Why? That is anybody’s guess. I had to ask for an immigration form much later into the flight which the flight manager promptly then provided.
Immediately after take off I tried to recline my seat. This seat was also malfunctioning and BROKEN like my inbound flight! I really mean BROKEN. I took a picture on board as proof which I dont know how to upload here.
Does anyone conduct pre flight checks on functionality of seats or did inflight maintenance look at anything? Does not look like it.
When I informed another crew about the broken seat, she reacted saying, ’It can’t be broken because someone was sitting here on the inbound flight. I told her, it was none of my concern if anyone was sitting there or not, all I knew was that my seat was broken and the foot rest and leg rest were both not working and due to that simply reclining the seat was not an option as it was uncomfortable.
After spending 7 hours in meetings today, I headed to the DXB airport in anticipation of relaxing, getting pampered and to be felt cared for on the flight. On the contrary this has been such a let down. Instead of relaxing over a glass of champagne after 2 long days of work, I was struggling to get Jet Airways crew to take care of basics?
In silent protest, despite being very hungry and not having eaten anything since lunch, I chose not to partake in any inflight service as I did not want to have anything to do with or be served by this set of crew. It made me feel sick but I just sat there on the aircraft all the way to Mumbai, unrested, uncared for, hungry and so disappointed. I punished myself by going hungry as it was a matter of my self respect.
I did not even dare start the inflight entertainment on this flight. Since everything had gone wrong, I could not risk frustrating myself further if the entertainment system malfunctioned.
Crew who don’t care about passengers health related concerns on board are making empty, meaningless announcements about Jet Airways hospitality and about making the flight comfortable? How hypocritical is that? There will always be some excuse or explanation but fact will remain that it was a very poor experience.
Thankfully on arriving at BOM, Jet Airways ground staff were around to help me.
Unfortunately, there was a case of mixed loading and non priority baggage was delivered first. After waiting a short while, my’priority’ check in luggage appeared and I was on my way home.
It would be very fair if I rate this flig