I have flown on Kingfisher Airlines a couple of time before and when I was in Delhi on an Official trip, I was delighted to know that I will be flying Kingfisher on the return journey to Chennai. (Have flown on Indian Airlines from Chennai. have written a separate review on them -)) ).
To start with, Delhi traffic is perhaps one of the worst traffic in India. I used to curse Bangalore for its traffic woes, but Delhi is much worse.
Having known that we took a taxi from our guest house at 6PM for a flight at 8.55 PM. It was still not enough for us to reach the airport ( ~ 20 kms) in time. We reached at 8.35 and the KF executive at the check-in counter informed that it was already time and we cannot board the Aircraft.
We told him of the traffic woes. He checked with the check in counter staff and found that the incoming flight is delayed by 10 min. Then he turned back to us saying since the flight was late, we can board it. Point to be noted here is any delay from their side is fine but a 5 min delay from our side is not acceptable. Amazing logic.
Quite different from Indian Airlines, the reception inside the plane was good. We were greeted with bright and young smiling faces. The aircraft was clean and seat space was just fine. In fact both KF and IA had the same Airbus 320.
We were served a welcome drink (read Juice) which was good. More than anything, with smiling faces around you too get into the same mood and that’s equally good. We were given the Kit containing a Pen, some toffees, wet tissues and a head phone. We were then provided with the menu of the food which I thought was good.
Every seat has a small TV screen and a head phone point and you can choose between your audio and video choices. When I flew last time with KF in Aug 2006, I had a choice of 6 video channels and 3 to 4 audio channels. But this time, only three video channels were available.
We were asked for the choice of food and when we (two of us) preferred Veg. The person next to me was served non Veg. To our surprise we weren’t served any food. While the others were being served, we weren’t. After a good 20 min or so, the air hostesses came to us and asked why were we not having anything? After we informed that we weren’t served, she immediately apologized and arranged for it.
When my friend was served coffee, the quantity of the black coffee that the airhostess had could fill only half his cup. She apologized and said she will serve the coffee again which she promptly did.Unlike other airlines, what I like about King Fisher is the way they treat guests (as they call it for Customers). The take off and landing my not be as smooth as IA, but the in-flight entertainment and courtesy is very good.
When there was a little wobble mid way, there came an announcement informing the passengers that the outside temperature was bad and they are trying to negotiate it. An announcement doesn’t do anything, but at least it gives you a feeling that these guys have your safety in mind. This care was certainly missing in IA.We finally landed at Chennai Airport at 11:45. It was not a very smooth landing though, but I certainly thought that when I fly next time I will opt of KF simply because they “fly the good time"!
Hats off to Vijay Mallaya for bringing in this revolution in the Air space Industry.