Air India Experience ORD-DEL-MAA(Aug 2011)-MAA-DEL-ORD(Sept 2011)ORD-MAA-ORD(Air India)- Very pleasant experience. Economy
I was cautious(reading online reviews) before deciding to fly AI (should I say risk) and it turned out to be a very pleasant experience.
Why did I choose Air India?
1) Cost was better than AA till MAA
2) Timing: Etihad had matching fares, but return long haul timings wasnt convenient at dep and arrival ports
3) If I booked in Air India website it let me take a break in Delhi for same fare, i.e I need not take the first connecting flight, but was able to choose next days flight for same price! and was able to take a overnight break(almost 18 hrs break) in Delhi
4) Honor 2 piece with no extra charge
ORD-DEL: 777, Ontime, full flight, excellent food, young cabin crew for Y. Each seat had 500ml water bottle on boarding. Really appreciate this gesture. There were 3 meals. Most passengers were Hyderabad & Ahmadabad handful to Bangalore/Chennai. Lot of parents/old folks, were well looked after by attentive/cheerful cabin crew. Galley was open for water/tea was made on request.(On inquiry they said they haven’t got past 4 months salary-but were hopeful). Mood lighting was on, entertainment was working. Outside light was there was most part of flight. Arrived in Delhi 1 hr early. Baggage arrived quickly. Custom was breeze. Nice experience
DEL-MAA:A321: 2 piece concept honored. Rechecked in as I went out of Airport.Full flight, good food. Ontime arrival.
MAA-DEL: A321: Baggage checked in all the way upto Chicago, but was told to get 2nd boarding card(DEL-ORD) at Delhi. Ontime dep and arrival, good food.
At Delhi Air india employee collected NYC/YYZ/ORD passengers midway in terminal and directed to a counter to collect boarding card. NYC passengers were given priority as have shorter time(12.30 am).After boarding card, pass through customs, cleared in 5 min, small wait then climb up security for hand baggage then to gate 26, one more hand baggage scan and can board the flight.
DEL-ORD: 777, Flight took ontime, moving map not switched on, some entertainment system didnt work, flight was only 1/3d full. Was able to stretch completely in 3 seat and sleep well. 95% of flight was in dark except light at couple of places in north pole. Galley was open for water/tea was made on request. Plenty of water was provided.Food was superb, touch better than onward as it was loaded from India. Custom form were given prior to landing. Arrived 1 hr early, cleared customs quickly. Baggage came in 10 min and were in 2 carousels 8 & 9 and were told in plane!(impressed) so out of ORD airport at 6.25 am! (landed at 6 am) very impressed, least jet lagged. All 4 Long Haul Flight to USA(3 from Delhi/1 from mumbai) from India seem to be doing well.Well done air india and I wont mind flying them again!