This is a fact, their air ticket is cheaper sometimes but they allow only 15 kgs for your checked in baggage. So you will have to shell out more at the time of check-in and this makes it equal or more than other airlines.
I had this experience on Nov 9th when flying from Lucknow-Delhi-Bangalore. The ticket was little cheaper than Sahara (through IndiaTimes auctions) or SpiceJet. When I reached Lucknow Airport I got some shocks
Only 15 Kg Checkin and 5 Kg carryon. All other Airlines allow 20 Kgs for checkin.
No through checkin to Bangalore, since Deccan is a ’point to point’ Airlines. I will have to get my luggage in Delhi and check-in again.
These two things were mentioned in the Air ticket but like everyone else I never bothered to read the fine print
Then the ground staff was very rude. They told me that I can’t carry my hand carry as it is a very small aircraft. They asked me to check it in. In the end I had to pay for the excess baggage (including what was my hand carry). They charged me Rs 30/- per Kg although the ticket said it would be Rs 20/-.. and no credit cards :-) they still live in Mughle Azam period.
Delhi had more surprises for me.... When I was checking in, they asked me to pay again and this time the excess baggage was 6 kgs more than what it was in Lucknow. They could never explain how it is possible :-) The lady at the desk flatly told me to pay or leave.. so much for customer care.
I paid whatever they asked for, but this time Rs 40/- per Kg. She told me that the rate is different for different Airports.
I tried to flex my consumer power and asked for complaint book. It took more than 30 minutes, many reminders and angry looks from the staff to get that register. Its condition was telling the state of costumer service in Air Deccan. I lodged a complaint anyway but I have not heard anything from them after that.
Interestingly Capt G R Gopinath, their MD was on the Delhi Bangalore flight and he was sitting in front of my seat, but we were so frustrated by then that my wife stopped me from taking to the MD. In her words “In future we are not going on Air Deccan anyway so what’s the point in talking to him”