The past few years has seen the arrival of a new class of airlines known as the ’low cost airlines’. That probably is a camouflage for the obvious -- ’can’t be good airlines’. But then you wonder whether this should be the expected service when it comes low cost and its only a matter of time before, it becomes the accepted package deal.
For starters, the bookings were easy(travel agent). The security check was unpleasant due to some egoistic security personnel, but thats not part of what the airlines provide. Our flight was to travel from Mumbai to Coimbatore via Cochin, our destination being Coimbatore. One receives strict instructions to bring along photo ID’s but none whatsoever is asked for. My only experience on ’go Air’ saw the flight departure delayed by about 10 mins, which I doubt is too bad for an Indian airline.
Go Air aircrafts have 2 pilots and 4 flight attendants with charming plastic smiles and chic looks. Hmm, come to think of it the uniforms are among the few things that look smart. The package deal also includes no free food, so that you may avail of the drab sandwich for 40 bucks. Silent bidding on the aircraft keeps interested passengers occupied.
Now this is the charmer of my wonderful experience with ’go Air’ :
The aircraft plunges towards Cochin and decides not 2 land, so takes off again. Turbulent weather they say. The plunge begins again, apparently astrology decides no again so we are up in the air once more. I’d say Go Air makes for a slightly more comfortable Essel World ride. We then begin to land a third time, and expecting to touch the sky yet again we hold on to our seats, but, hmm, it lands this time! Then........a long pause......there’s silence.....its already 10 mins past our expected arrival time at Coimbatore. And the flight is of course, via Cochin. Then comes through an announcement "Welcome to Cochin Airport". We wonder whether we’ll reach Coimbatore after all. But, another pause. Another announcement. "Sorry, Welcome to Coimbatore Airport". Passengers laugh. We are relieved and selfishly scramble out leaving the poor Cochin passengers to their own fate.
Hmmm, now it was fun describing my adventurous experience, which made me appreciate the service of other low cost airlines.
As for some technical information, go Air began recently in October 2005 and as of now flies to thirteen destinations across the country which includes: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Mumbai, Pune and Shrinagar. They are short to medium sized aircrafts with a capacity of 180 passengers. Early bookings are obviously even more economical. The aircraft provides only one class of passengers.
As a conclusion, lets count our blessings too, it atleast gets you to your destination faster than other modes of transport at a reasonable rate.