To start with I have flown with KingFisher earlier and that was really a good experience. But it did not last for long.
Well, it was the first time that my mom(senior citizen over 65 yrs of age) was travelling by air. This was between Mumbai and Bangalore To make sure that she gets all the assistance, I bought the Jet Airways ticket from Mumbai to Bangalore and called up the helpdesk to make sure that she gets assistance till she boards the plane. I was a little nervous that my Mom would be alone travelling for the first time but I trusted Jet Airways as I had travelled with it for past so many years. Her experience was too good. She was escorted by a very courteous, friendly and co-operative lady hostess who did all the stuff from Check-in till boarding. Before leaving the plane, she made sure that Mom has been properly seated with even the seat belts intact. This made my mom’s travel very pleasurable.
With that in mind, I was rest assured that my mom can fly anytime alone without me worrying for anything. Now, there was some emergency and my mom had to fly back to Mumbai. I rushed to the Bangalore Airport and checked for tickets with Jet Airways. But, unfortunately, all were sold out. I just scanned all the counters and my eyes stopped at KingFisher.
I went to KF and asked for a ticket for an immediate flight to Mumbai. I explained the need for assistance as my mom was senior citizen. The guy at the counter told me that the baggage boys who wore the red shirt will help. I just need to tell at the counter 1 hr before. I did so and he arranged for a guy and I started explaining to the KF baggage guy the needs and that she would require the aisle seat. To my surprise, he did not understand anything. I went back to the counter and asked to explain him. But, then the guy at the ticket counter himself went in to to ask for the preferred seat. The feedback when I asked my mom on phone was that the baggage boy was very rude. He left her near the plane and left without asking if she needs anything else.
When my mom was being escorted by this arrogant fool to the plane, I was at the counter waiting to know if she would have properly boarded the flight. The flight was at 11:15 and I went to the counter to ask for the boarding information. To my dismay, the guy who gave the ticket was not available. Instead, there was a girl who said that she does not have the information right now. I told her, its 11 am and the departure is at 11:15am, by now the boarding would have started. Anyways, I waited for another 10 mins and went back to ask. The lady rudely said "She does not have the information, I need to wait till 11:15am". I was perplexed. The last time my wife had gone by Jet, I got to know from the counter that she had boarded the flight at exactly what time. I told her the same and she said that we cannot offer the same facilities as other airlines do - and that I should have gone to that other airlines - why come to KF. I said that I am demanding for the service as I am paying for it. You guys are the costliest airlines around and you cannot give the basic facilities. What for are those charges. She just ignored me. I demanded to see the authority. She said that she had only two hands and she cannot cater to my request at present. There were 3 other counter girls in the same place frolicking around. I told her that she could ask them and she ignored that too. Until that time it was about 11:20 and the other girl told me that everyone had boarded that flight.
With that information I left the counter with the most disgusting experience of my life and with the resolution - not to fly by KF at any point of time. Now, as per the norm, I was waiting for an SMS to say that the flight has landed properly. At the Mumbai arrival time, I called up the KF helpdesk for landing information and they told me the flight was expected at 1:10pm instead of 12:45. I asked the reason for the delay and the customer care guy told me there was no delay - its just that the flight is expected at 1:10pm. Anyways, I asked if they provide the information thought SMS that flight landing information. He said Yes they do. But, I asked I did not receive SMS of departure, will I surely get landing information. He said, it might be a n/w problem. For next 1/2 hr, I had to call up twice the helpdesk for landing information and the flight landed at 1:15pm - 1/2 hr late - And no information whatsoever of the delay.
Now, Mr. Mallya boasts of customer first motto and this is the kind of service provided. Just keeping beautiful girls as air hostess is the only moto of the company I suppose. I know, most of you would think, why is this guy cribbing about the best airlines in India. Well, you guys can think so, but I dont. Customers should always get the worth of what they pay for. Nowadays, everyone has the attitude of just Let Go, Let it be, Leave it, careless attitude and these people thrive on it and get by just beacuse of a good brand name.
*Conclusion**: I have flown almost all airlines in town and undoubtedly Jet stands way above any other airlines in all matters. Jet Airways is my recommendation for eveyone and next best is SpiceJet.