I have been frequenct user of Indian Airlines since last six years. Have flown thru Jet Airways and Airshara too. First let me tell you why I decided to write this review and the caption line itself. First during my last visit to India half a year back, the time when Mumbai runways were submerged...I felt the necessity of a little more comfort and co-operation in the airport especially from the airlines itself.
To my surprise the Indian Airlines fulfilled all my aspirations. I was travelling from paris to mumbai and the flight plan has to be detailed due to non-availability of Mumbai Airport. Even I landed a day late, the Indian Airlines staff was kind enough to renew my ticket for the next day...Its not over yet...With in Next one hour we were taken to a nice restaurant for breakfast...and was assured for uptodate information when it is available.
Now coming to other airlines Airshara/ jet, we were a group of around having various airlines in our booking but I am the only one with Indian Airlines booking myself. Most of them (except two) came back and reported there flights are full coz of back logging of passengers and they cann’t decide whether to fly again on the same route again on the same day...Now question comes what about this people they haven’t had any food from almost mid night...at least what I had expected that they would be given some food even if flight are delayed...unfortunately they are not sure when they are going to fly...
Finally the rain stopped and planes started taking off one by one..I myself got amazed when I saw for every 5 Indian airlines flight taking off there are 1 or 2 from Sahara and Jet Airways...I didn’t understand what the heck when the IA can fly why they cann’t...
Now being an engineer myself, I did a little research and came to know about the surprising fact that most of the pilots in private airlines are not trained in the kind of ILS (Instrument Landing System) that is required to fly the plane in bad or extreme weathers where as most of the pilots in IA are trained to handle the extreme weather situations...Those who are interested can browse thru recent updates from Civil Avaiation minister asking private airlines to train pilots in ILS.
Now we people are too carried away by flashy dress, courteous smile of the Cabin crew of the private airlines, but when disaster strikes who is the best....
Imagine people we have an airlines that represent India starting from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Assam and we expect they will spend a lot of money in all the small details...I know some people won’t like philosophy...but that day gesture just one gesture has changed my perceptions regarding IA for ever.. I will fly IA more often