Since the evolution anything unusual always attracted human beings. Like accessibility to fire or flying on sky. Paragliding, parasailing, hot air balloons or an airplane – are the various means to achieve the desire of being on air, under the open sky.
Gone those days are when boarding a flight was like an achievement. These days its just few click away also without burning our pocket much! Dhakkan / Dakkar that’s how this airline was known during initial days. Formerly known Air Deccan was launched in during 2003 and was operated by Deccan Aviation [still remember we friends pointing at Deccan Aviation office near ITC factory on Tumkur road & cracking jokes on their service]. This was one of initial players to offer low cost carrier, connecting the small cities across. They were the first one to introduce pay & buy food on flight.
The initial experience was not at all good. My parents had to come to Bangalore on emergency and they opt for Deccan. They reached the next day afternoon [scheduled to reach previous day evening]. Also, got to hear stories from here & there on their services, flight condition, punctuality etc. And it was a complete NO-NO for me. In between got to hear bout KF I mean Kingfisher Airlines & Deccan merger. I was a complete KFA fan by then. Sometime, post merger even my cousin traveled with his newly wedded wife and he was too happy talking about the service etc. I didn’t respond as was surprised seeing him talking good about Deccan. I must mention he was a ‘Deccan hater’ till he traveled & also heard him treating the travel agent with nice words for booking with Deccan.
Sometime back I was scheduled to visit my hometown & thought of giving a try with Deccan. Afterall, there is always a next time / am booking the ticket consciously / they might have improved indeed – thinking all &#^(^&)(** I booked Deccan for my return journey.
Touching my parents feet [seeking their blessings for a safe journey], closing my eye & hoping for best I left for Airport. I didn’t speak much on the way. Actually didn’t want to get my will power to divert. Well, check-in, collecting boarding pass it all went smooth. Noticed the executives are good enough [not as kwel as KF/Jet though]. They are co-operative and with good communication. Am not I sounding like one who loves to humiliate others? Oh, while booking I noticed the note that this one is with non-reclining seats! I was glad as I got a window seat on request.
Oh wao! The AC is working. I was all set to get the oven feeling. They helped me to place the luggage on cabin rack. Haan, even chicks are good looking. But the beauty of red skirts are missing haan, these girls are skiny type.
The flight takes off. We were given free drinking water along with some freshener. I had picked up one veg-sandwich as was very hungry. I could not recall if missed breakfast while leaving home or it got into the system when I was in deep thoughts anticipating my journey experience. I think I paid some 60 INR for the sandwich & it was really good. Now am slowly started looking around. The middle seat is empty, people are busy talking / eating / some are preparing to sleep / some are doing yoga with closed eyes [may be thanking Pilot for successful take off :D]. Now it is time for a hot coffee. Just 20 bucks and its Café Coffee Day ready mix one! Hmmm … leg space is good. So, even though the seat is non-reclining I am comfortably sitting. Had my coffee taking my own time! Guess what! The gentleman in front can’t reclining his chair so no chance of my coffee getting spilled :)
Now my stomach is full & time for a nap.
The flight landed Bangalore on-time. And they have those special AC buses [Deccan passenger specific]. What a hassle free journey it was! I did not have to wait much to collect my luggage.
If my rating for this airline was 1-1.5 [completely based on non-self experience] out of 5, it is now 3.5. Not because I am just considering the scope for improvement but for optimization too.
Kudos to Mallya, his magic might not have worked for RC Team in IPL but it really clicked for Deccan Airways. Even the changed logo from ‘YELLOW HAND in BLUE’ to KF bird is appreciated…
Now on whenever I travel, if the route has an option for Deccan flights – I am for sure not going give a second thought for it!
PS: Uploaded couple of snaps taken from flight!