I am what 100% Jet Airways passenger. However recently I did get an opportunity to try SpiceJet(OS) from Pune to Delhi, enroute to join a motorcycle expedition to Ladakh.
This was the third time I was taking a LCC (Low-Cost carrier) and going by past experiences with Air Deccan, I was quite nervous about how it would all go! Infact I also bought with me an open ticket I held for Jet Airways: just in case! But we were unnecessarily worrying. With pre-assigned seating, Check-in was smooth although the presence of the goop-cans (motorcycle Puncture repair kits) in our bags caused some anxiety in the mind of the matron like lady handling Spice’ security. She let me through: but only after she had wound a ton of cello-tape around the goop cans! Did she think I was going to hijack the plane with the silly goop-can? And ironically she had no problem with the crowbar used to remove the tyre from the rim which went in the hand baggage!
Our aircraft finally arrived from Bangalore at around 1915, and we were onboard the aircraft by 1930. The aircraft, a 737-800 series, was configured in an all-economy layout with 189 seats. It clearly showed its age, but was in pretty decent shape. Seat pitch, at 31’’ was noticeably lesser than sarkaari Indian Airlines (32-34’’), but much better than Jet Airways (29-30’’). Being an LCC, no inflight meal service. However a packet of peanuts and a bottle of mineral water was handed out: Southwest style!! Again much better than sick Air Deccan which charges 30 bucks for a packet of wafers costing Rs.10! The stewardesses were all in their early twenties: hot hot punjabans in short short skirts, and with the IQ of Mallika Sherawat! But I am guessing this would be a major selling point! The FA’s were obviously very very raw as they goofed up with things like announcements countless times, however not unpleasantly so. I think I would put that down as IFE!
To sum up: SpiceJet is certainly NOT the spit-and-polish operation that Jet Airways is, nor do they serve 2-course meals in economy. However, they do offer great value for money (we paid a total of Rs.1349 for our ticket to Delhi! The 2-Tier AC train fare is around 1800!) provided we book in advance.