I flew Air India in an attempt to get a cheap flight . I would have been happier if I had chosen to swim there. The interior was covered in this greenish/yellow motif dreamt up in the 70s. Seating was cramped, entertainment was beyond unbearable to watch, and the food was..yick!
The Air India website advertises cuisine that reflects the Indian culture. A friend of mine, who happened to have been born in India and is well accustomed to Indian food, was insulted by the plate of lamb fat and okra which was thrown together. The only save was their peanut-like appetizer served during the beginning of the flight.
What about the friendly smiles? I don’t know...I don’t remember seeing any. A stewardess gave me a glass of water and didn’t come back to check on me until it was feeding time. Nobody cared if I was dehydrated. Also, I would have asked for something other than water if they weren’t stingy on the carbonated beverages. I felt that asking for anything but water was like contributing the destruction of the planet or something.
Air India is the kind of flight that makes you kiss the ground when you get off it.