When I was given a choice between Air India and British Airways for my DEL - heathrow (LHR) - DEL travel, patriot within me forced me choose Air India. My office travel agent warned me that it is a wrong choice but I stuck to my stance and survived to write this review. Lets start with check in counter, as I was among the first to check in (which I usually do), it was smooth and I got my prefered seat First row window seat. After clearing immigration I was loitering around at duty free shop when there was announcement for security check 40 min before schedules take off. When I reached the designated gate after security there was long que as we see in govt offices. CISF personnel informed us to chill as our flight which was coming from Mumbai has not arrived yet. I heeded to his advice and found myself a chair near TV as I could see that there is no aircraft at the end of aerobridge. 20 min before scheduled departure came the announcement that flight is late by an hour. Think of those who were standing in que for 15 min.
Finally flight came and we were in the plane welcomed by a 50 yr old aunty givng out a plasticky ’namaste’. Arrey yaar dont say anything just a warm smile is enough. Leave alone warm whole smile was missing. Upholstry was dirty as if it has not been cleaned for yrs with stains on it. Volume buttons torn off and security booklet was like chit used by students for cheating all crumbled up and torn. All the aunties (Flight Attendants) were treating passangers like a school teacher would deal with a bunch of naughty students. Lady sitting adjacent to me (FIY she was prof of economics in DU) got a scolding for not keeping her hand baggage properly and was asked to do so, and for all that time I was under impression that it was flight attendants duty to do it. When food was served I was given idly, vada, sambhar and chutney. When I asked for choice I was coldly told my class teacher (Flight Attendant) that I have requested for the vegetarian food, (when! I have no Idea) now put a finger on your lips and eat your food. Alhough food was good. Half way through another teacher appeared and told me that south indian delicacy which I was relishing was for somebody else so if I want I can have another meal. But think of a sceanrio wherein a vegitarian might be asked to dig into chicken tikka because he has requested God only knows when! Coming to inflight entertainment they were showing some B/W Ashok kumar movie, what! I couldnt beleive my eyes.
For the first time in my life I was seeing a b/w movie in a flight. Now I know that all the systems were still woking as per guidelines of 1950’s and all the teachers were hired at that time only. Second refreshment was ok. Flight was comfortable and we were in London 1 hr behind schedule and was feeling like have come out of a eight hour boring physics extra class. On the way back I was prepared for the assault. Every thing went as per the expectations (which were at all time low). Finally we reached Delhi ontime even the airport authorities were taken by surprise to see a Air India flight on time . I will tell you how. 15 min after we landed there was another Emirates flight from dubai had landed and there luggage came before ours. I think noboby was prepared to handle our luggage as they never expected it to come on time. From now on I have resolved to listen to the advice of my travel desk. Enough is enough.
Take care,
Gaurav