Let me start with a simple question.
Would you like to spend Rs.4000-8000 of your hard earned money just for some accessories like free food, beautiful hostesses, and blah blah ???
Well if u answer NO, then may be u’ll find this review helpful.
I had to fly from Pune to Bangalore on 21/09/06 and back on 25/09/06 (thats today). Thru a friend I came to know the cheap rates offered by AD (Air Deccan). I got a ticket for Rs.74 (Pun-Bang/with taxes=Rs.999) and another for Rs.374 (Bang-Pun/with taxes=Rs.1299). I had read a lot about AD both good and bad, and had also seen the video of a spectacular AD landing (pun intended ;-)). But i’ll share with u what I underwent. Following is my experience right from the start to the end :-
This was my first travel by air and AIR DECCAN.
- Ticket booking
Booked the tickets online on 12/09/06. It was completely hassle-free. In under 10 minutes I had the tickets in my hand (thats the ideal time it takes if u have internet and printer ready). Thanks to me being a IT professional.
- Check-In and Flight
Check-in was OK. Regular announcements were being made for security check. Staff was co-operative though not very eager. Anyway, no hard feelings crept in.
Boarding the plane was assumed to be funny bcos of the free-seating funda, but thankfully as I expected the crowd turned out to be relatively decent and there was no push or shoving for window seats. I too had a window seat ;-). Sitting was a bit of problem as I am 5’10" and my legs crammed for space but a little adjustment made things fine. But I bet, it’ll be really tough for anybody 6’ or more to sit comfortably.
After initial instructions and safety precautions the flight took off at the designated time 6:40pm (quite contrary to my apprehensions). The flight was good, no hiccups there. The cabin crew aka hostesses were quite decent and good looking (may be I was lucky). They offered eatables and beverages on-board (for cash)but considering the short duration of travel (mine being 1:20hrs) I strongly don’t feel the need to condemn them for the lack of exotic food. (ITNE MEIN ITNA HI MILEGA MAMU).
Anyway the travel was good and we landed at 8:00 pm in Bang. Everything went fine. And I was happy to have saved over 15-20hrs over a bus or train travel. That gave me more time to spend with my friends and hardly put any weight on my pocket.
So the signal is green from me for all those looking to travel by AD.
P.S: My return flight was delayed by about 15 minutes but the reason for it was a Spicejet and Jet Airways plane waiting ahead in queue for take off.
And finally for all those who spew venom against AD, i’ll just say: On a bad day, anything can happen (irrespective of your airline ;-))