Asia 9: Air India 787. Calcutta - Delhi



Previous Reports in this series:

Part 1: Limoncello with Alitalia. BA/AZ LHR-MXP-FCO-NRT

Part 2: JALing it to Beijing. JL HND-PEK 772 Business

Part 3: Around China with China United, China Eastern & Grand China

Part 4: First with Cathay Pacific: HKG-TPE F on the B744

Part 5: Fine Dining on Scoot. TPE-SIN on the 777

Part 6: Silk Air and Firefly around the Malay Peninsula. SIN-LGK-SZB

Part 7: Going Beyond Expectations. MH KUL-DAC on the A330

Part 8: United Airways DAC-ZYL, Jet Airways DAC-CCU

Hi!

Thanks for clicking on Part 9 of my Autumn Asia series.

This report will cover my long awaited first 787 flight. You may recall from Part 2 that I was scheduled to fly the Japan Airlines 787 from Tokyo to Beijing? Sadly, she was removed from the flight a few weeks before departure, and the flight operated by the 777 instead. Bummer.

Luckily, I found a second opportunity to fly the Dreamliner (what an awful moniker…I shall not use this name again). When researching options to get from Bangladesh to Delhi, I realised that Air India was operating the 787 on one of their daily Calcutta-Delhi flights. I didn’t even realise AI had 787s. Bangalore and Chennai (I believe) also got a few weeks of training flights. I was delighted to also find that as opposed to paying a premium for the 787, AI was offering them at a lower promotional price. Booked, and actually at a lower price than the no-frills airlines. Fingers crossed now there’ll be no substitution like with JAL.

This is the 3rd AI 787 report on a.net, with the others written by justbala and vivekman2006.

The map, courtesy of GC Mapper, of this report:


The map, courtesy of GC Mapper, of what is currently booked for this series:


Despite having already spent three nights in Calcutta this year, I’d seen surprisingly little of the city, bar the inside of a few hotels and restaurants, plus the slums on the streets. With 24 hours between arriving from Dhaka and leaving for Delhi, I thought I’d tick off a few of the sights. First stop was Mother House, home of Mother Teresa for many years.





For some reason Eden Park was rated top on Trip Advisor. Eden Park is the name of both the cricket stadium, and the neighbouring park, neither of which I through were terribly interesting.






Next stop was the beautiful Victoria Memorial Hall. Sadly, photography is strictly forbidden inside, although I have no idea why. There were some interesting exhibitions
inside, mostly art and history.


And just outside is the Maidan, Calcutta’s answer to Central Park.


Once again, I stayed in the Bawa Walson hotel


On the streets


After a fairly agreeable day around town, I hopped in one of those delightful yellow cabs, and was soon at the domestic terminal.


After showing my documents to about five policemen/soldiers, I was allowed to check in (once my bag had been x-rayed of course). I had been able to reserve a seat online when I booked, and this was honoured on my boarding pass.

Next stop was the security search….ugh, what a hassle. There were some 5 queues for people, but just 2 for bags. So many people seemed to be travelling without any hand luggage at all. The set up meant that I had to leave my bag on the x-ray counter, then leave it and queue a few metres away for the body scanner. Of course, once I was through the scanner, I realised that I was supposed to have kept hold of my boarding pass so it could be stamped. However, the security staff were already in a tizzy as there was a bottle opener in my bag, so they had to go through it and re-scan it before the boarding pass stamping guy could do his thing, which really annoyed him. The whole experience was highly unenjoyable.

With security done and dusted, I went to find somewhere to sit…not as easy as one might imagine. The place was packed.


Still the crap old boarding “systems”


“FIDS”


With no lounge to go to, or shops to look around, I bought a brownie and radioactive looking drink, and found a seat upstairs.


Much less busy here


After a terribly unexciting hour upstairs, I headed down to the main level again. There was already a substantial queue at our gate, so I thought I may as well join in.


After twenty minutes, it started moving.

We were packed onto busses, and we headed out across the tarmac. Finally, here she is, my first 787!






As I was sat at the back of the plane, I was directed to use the rear door. Very unusually, the steps were attached to door 4R, rather than 4L. When I saw her here yesterday, they did the same thing. Any reason for it?


I decided to throw caution to the wind, and asked a member of ground staff if I could take some photos…to my astonishment, he said yes. Sadly, I was in a bit of a hurry, so they photos aren’t great.




Interesting view


This gorgeous 744 had just arrived from JED.




You’ll notice that “Air India” wording is now missing from the tail.






Yes, this is the right one!




November 2012
Calcutta (CCU) – Delhi (DEL)
Air India AI 701
Scheduled: 1715-1915 (2h00m)
Actual: 1736-1930 (1h54m)
Boeing 787-800 VT-ANI
Economy Class



Copyright J.R.Heilig


I was greeted at the door by a smiling FA. She saw my camera and smiled, pointing me up the aisle.

The cabin looks nice, although not terribly different to any other modern aircraft. AI have gone with 3x3x3 seating, which I found perfectly reasonable.




My seat




Reasonable legroom. The bottle wasn’t mine…sloppy cleaners




The switch


And my window tinting demonstration!


Nice big PTV


Safety card






Out the window…already getting dark


AI Magazine






Gradually, more buses arrived. As far as I could see, Y was fully booked.


Nice blue mood lighting


Push back


A safety demo was performed. The new style green exit signs were mentioned no less than 5 times in the demo…I think people get it, the exit signs are green!


And take off!




The IFE




















I through the IFE was reasonable, although I found it strange that there was no short programming available…no cartoons or sitcoms.




With a 2 hour flight time, there was nothing suitable to watch. In the end I went for Minority Report, the most appealing of their small selection of English language films. Of course, there wasn’t time to finish it.


Half an hour after take off, the meal service began. The choice was uninspiring…veg or non-veg. I went with the non-veg.




What are they? No idea. All I can say is that one was tastyish, and one was revolting, and all three tasted very calorific.


Thank goodness for the fruit and tea with lemon. I asked about getting another drinks…any beer? “Sorry, we only have coke or Fanta” (neither of which were proactively offered to anyone).


[Edited 2012-11-25 12:35:38]

Continuing our journey




On this super modern plane, of course I had to check out the facilities. That doesn’t look very cutting edge.






Door 4R


Galley




Darkened cabin


Getting closer to Delhi








A few more map photos








As mentioned by justbala, there is a pre-landing safety demo, when they mentioned the green exit signs ad nauseam again. I wonder if this extra demo will stay around, or will be phased out. I don’t see any need in it.

Delhi looks rather smoggy






And we’re down, welcome to Delhi!




After a long and rather lonely taxi (the smog and lack of lights made the airport feel deserted), we pull on stand


As I stood up, I managed to knock the life jacket out. When I sat down, I did the same thing. This has never happened to me before on a plane…dodgy seat attachment, or standard feature?


Despite being parked next to the terminal with a working jetbridge, we disembarked via the rear stairs again




On the tarmac


ON the bus to the terminal


After the grotty terminals of Calcutta and Bagdogra, it was nice to finally see an Indian Airport that looked clean and new. In fact, I was very impressed with DEL. It didn’t look like India at all!


And working FIAS!


After a long wait for the bags, my backpack finally appeared on the carousel.


I grabbed a trolley, and headed out to meet my driver, who’d decided to wander off to the international end of the terminal.


Time to sit in the legendary Delhi traffic now!


So, finally, I managed to ticket off the 787! Mine was a fairly short flight, so I was unable to really gauge if all the hype lives up to expectations. The cabin was nice and new, and the crew friendly. It would seem that paying for “normal” airlines over the no-frills ones gives far better crew. The meal was, er, not to my taste, although by the looks of it, this is a standard Indian aviation meal. The lack of drinks I thought was a little odd. Is there a better selection on internationals?

Calcutta airport, as I’ve said before, is horrible. Security paranoia is depressing, and by and large pointless. Delhi airport was wonderful in comparison.

The Final Report in this series:

SV DEL-RUH-LHR B777 Y

As always, all comments and questions welcome!

Some of my other TRs:

Autumn Asia Part 8: United Airways DAC-ZYL, Jet Airways DAC-CCU
Autumn Asia Part 7: Going Beyond Expectations. MH KUL-DAC on the A330
Autumn Asia Part 6: Silk Air and Firefly around the Malay Peninsula. SIN-LGK-SZB
Autumn Asia Part 5: Fine Dining on Scoot. TPE-SIN on the 777
Autumn Asia Part 4: First with Cathay Pacific: HKG-TPE F on the B744
Autumn Asia Part 3: Around China with KN, MU & CN
Autumn Asia Part 2: JALing it to Beijing. JL HND-PEK 772 Business
Autumn Asia Part 1: Limoncello with Alitalia. BA/AZ LHR-MXP-FCO-NRT
Va BeNe with Cityjet. RTM-LCY Fokker 50
Truly Great Britain: FlyBE EDI-IOM on Saab 340 & BA IOM-LCY on Saab 2000
Cyprus with Aegean. Business on the A321, LHR-LCA-LHR
Scotland In A Day: FlyBE GLA-BHD-LGW. DH8 & E190
Tegel A.Net Meet. SN LHR-BRU-TXL, LH TXL-BHX
Bye Bye Baby: easyJet LTN-BFS, bmi Baby BHD-BHX
Air One and Alitalia to Sicily – LGW-MXP-PMO-LIN-LHR
Part 12: Sun Air of Scandinavia & BA, DUS-BLL-MAN-LHR on the J31, D328 and A320
Part 11: Thai Airways BKK-FRA, B77W First Class & LH FRA-DUS Business
Part 10: Thai Airways Kathmandu-Bangkok, B772 Business Class
Part 9: Yeti Airlines “Everest Express” on the J41
Part 8: Biman Bangladesh A310 Dhaka-Kathmandu
Part 7: United Airways ATR Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar & Regent Airways Dash Chittagong-Dhaka
Part 6: Biman Bangladesh DC10 Calcutta-Dhaka
Part 5: SpiceJet B739 & Jet Konnect B738 Calcutta-Bagdogra rtn, with Darjeeling
Part 4: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore-Calcutta
Part 3: Sriwijiaya Airlines & Lion Air Boeing 737-900ER Banda Aceh-Medan-Jakarta-Singapore
Part 2: Valuair/Jetstar Asia SIN-MES and Garuda MES-BTJ
Part 1: U2 LTN-BCN, SQ BCN-SIN 77W Business
Africa Part 7: British Airways Club Europe B767, LCA-LHR
Africa Part 6: LX ZRH-ATH, A3 ATH-LCA. A Greek Tragedy
Africa Part 5: Dar es Salaam – Nairobi – Zurich with Swiss First
Africa Part 4: Fly 540 DAR-ZNZ in Y, and Zanzibar photos
Africa Part 3: ET KGL-EBB-ADD-DAR-ZNZ, A to Z with Ethiopian Airlines in C
Africa Part 2: SN BRU-BJM, SA BJM-KGL, Business to Burundi and Rwanda
Africa Part 1: BD LHR-CMN, TP CMN-LIS, SN LIS-BRU in Y and C
A.net meeting in snowy Tallinn. U2/FR STN-TLL-LTN
easyJet and bmi up to Aberdeen, LTN-ABZ-LHR
The Costa del Sol with British Airways. LGW-AGP-LCY
Mysterious Moldova (and Transnistria). Lufthansa LHR-MUC-KIV
BA to the Austrian Alps. LHR-MUC, INN-LGW
I can't get no Jetisfaction: LH LGW-FRA inaugural
Colombia Part 4: Colombia to London via FRA/MUC/HEL on LH & BA
Colombia Part 3: Colombia with Avianca (AV). SMR-BOG-MDE-BOG
Colombia Part 2: Colombia with Avianca (AV). BOG-MDE-CTG
Colombia Part 1: London to Colombia via ARN/MUC/FRA on BA & LH
USA and Mexico Part 4, British Airways Mexico City – London, World Traveller Plus
USA and Mexico Part 3: Around Mexico with Aereo Calafia Cessna 208B & Viva Aerobus B733
USA and Mexico Part 2: Sightseeing tour of SAN, and AA San Diego - LA – Dallas - San Jose Cabo
USA and Mexico Part 1: easyJet Luton to Paris, and BA Paris to San Diego via LHR in World Traveller Plus
British Airways to Scandinavia (LHR-CPH,GOT-LHR)
Where’s my bag? British Airways, Milan to London
What airline am I flying again? Bmi/Lufthansa Italia LHR-MXP
Albania and Macedonia: Austrian LHR-VIE-TIA, Macedonian Airlines SKP-ZRH, Swiss ZRH-LCY
Part 1, Lufthansa London-Munich-Frankfurt-Nanjing, Economy Class A321 and A343
Part 2, Cathay Pacific Shanghai to Tokyo via Hong Kong, Business Class A330 and B747-400
Part 3, ANA Boeing B767 Tokyo to Shanghai, & Air China Airbus A340 Shanghai to Beijing, Business Class
Part 4: Chinese domestics, inc. Joy Air Xi’an MA60, Tianjin Airlines ERJ, and China Express Airways CRJ
Part 5: Lufthansa Beijing-Frankfurt-London City, Economy Class A388 and E90
5 Countries, 5 Flights, 5 Days, with Ryanair (FR)
bmiFriday: Welcome to Sunny Norway, London to Bergen, A319)
Royal Jordanian, London to Aqaba via Amman. A330 and A320
Royal Jordanian, Amman to London, A330
London City to Antwerp with Cityjet and the Fokker 50
Croatian Airlines, LHR-ZAG,PUY-ZAD-ZAG-LHR, A319 and Dash 8
British Airways, Iberia & Binter to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, LHR-MAD-TFN-LPA-MAD-LHR, A320,ATR, A321
British Airways, London To Amsterdam, LGW-AMS-LHR, B737 & A321
British Airways up to a snowy Glasgow, with a change of flights and delay, LHR-GLA-LCY A321 and E90
Turkish Airlines Business Class from London to Istanbul. From Terrible To Fantastic
Turkish Airlines Business Class from Istanbul to Batumi (Georgia). Not again!
bmi Business Class, Tbilisi to London via Azerbaijan
Tallinn to London, with Estonian Air and BA, via ARN
Cuba! BA/IB London-Madrid-Havana, Business Class
Aerocarribean, Baracoa to Havana
Asia Trip, Pt 1: Qatar Airways Business Class (LHR-DOH-ICN)
Asia Trip, Pt 2: China Southern and Hainan Airlines (A321/A346)
Asia Trip, Pt 3: Malaysia Airlines, Hong Kong to Penang
Asia Trip, Pt 4: Qatar Airways Economy (HKG-DOH-LHR)
A weekend in Transylvania with Blue Air (LTN-SBZ)
Helsinki for the weekend on BA and KF
Easter in Ukraine with Austrian
UAE and Oman with BA and Air Arabia. Y & Y+
HKG-LHR-HKG Air New Zealand, Premium Economy and Economy
US Airways LGW-DCA-MSP-LGA-LGW
London Heathrow - Zurich - Venice on Swiss Business for the weekend
Chasing the Eclipse on China Eastern
Taiwan: EVA Air (HKG-TPE rtn), UNI Airways (TSA-HCN), Daily Air (TTT-KYD rtn)
UA HKG-SIN-HKG Y Class, SQ KUL-SIN C Class
Bangkok to Beijing, Egyptair Business Class
Air China Beijing to Harbin, B777 Economy outbound, A330 First Class return
Tiger Airways, Singapore to Darwin return
A selection of Chinese Domestics; China Eastern, Air China and Shenzhen Airlines
Hong Kong to London on Singapore Airlines (744/380/77W)
Qatar Airways Beijing-Doha-London Heathrow (A330/A340)
Air China First Class. Beijing-Guilin via Xi’an
Armenia with Austrian Airlines. LHR-VIE-EVN
Round Asia Trip. URC-HTN,OSS-FRU,ALA-URC-LHW-KMG-JHG-KMG-SYX,HAK-NKG-PEK-NRT-LHR,
Hainan Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Lucky Air, ANA, Economy and Business Class.
SAS and Lufthansa Business Class, LHR-OSL-FRA-FRA, B73G and B744

Hello Gabriel


Congratz on logging the 787! Glad to see there are no last min equip changes here.
The AI version looks very comfortable. decent legroom and decent size PTV's is all what you need on such a short flight.
I'm really looking forward to logging one of these as well

Greetings
Marc

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 2): Congratz on logging the 787!

Thanks Marc

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 2): Glad to see there are no last min equip changes here.

Yes, what a relief!

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 2): The AI version looks very comfortable. decent legroom and decent size PTV's is all what you need on such a short flight.

Yup, great for a short hual - hopefully just as good for a longhual, subject to an improvment on the catering!

Gabriel!

I felt home with the pictures from Kolkata! I really miss my birthcity! I loved the trip report and as for Indian security, its definetly comical but I always feel much safer with Indian security than say American. Looking forwards to the final series!

Cheers!

Leo/ORD

Quoting LFutia (Reply 4): I felt home with the pictures from Kolkata! I really miss my birthcity!

Thanks Leo...I'm getting to quite like the city

Quoting LFutia (Reply 4): I loved the trip report and as for Indian security, its definetly comical but I always feel much safer with Indian security than say American.

Well as long as it is safer, rather than just feeling it, then all's good!

Great trip report - Dehli does look incredibly smoggy.

Is it just me or does the 1970s era orange seat covers and carpeting look a bit dated?

Quoting raffik (Reply 6): Great trip report

Thanks!

Quoting raffik (Reply 6): Dehli does look incredibly smoggy.

It is

Quoting raffik (Reply 6): Is it just me or does the 1970s era orange seat covers and carpeting look a bit dated?

I think it looks quite nice. I guess having the PTVs and modd lighting moderates any 70's feeling!

Hi Gabriel,

Cool report! Finally you were able (or already, compared by me) to tick off that 787 from the list. A nice experience it was, the cabin looks quite enjoyable. Not sure about the catering though, food looked a bit strange and no extra drinks available?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I didn’t even realise AI had 787s.

Come on, even I knew that 

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): However, the security staff were already in a tizzy as there was a bottle opener in my bag

Oh my, what a terrible procedure there. So did you get to keep the opener?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Still the crap old boarding “systems”

I love those 'crap old' systems. If they sell them, I but them for my living room. Have to ask the wife though   

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Any reason for it?

Perhaps not to intervene with that bag loader escalator thing?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): You’ll notice that “Air India” wording is now missing from the tail.

It's good that didn't get rid of those nice red window linings on the outside. That's what makes the AI livery I think.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Nice big PTV

Big? Huge I would say (for Y class at least)!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): In the end I went for Minority Report

Such an old movie. Was it in the 'classics' section?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): That doesn’t look very cutting edge.

No the paper on the door is not cutting edge and the technology to auto-flush isn't either but probably most people didn't get how to flush the toilet. Wasn't it indicated?

Sultanils

Great report gabrielchow!

The inflight experience looks pretty similar to my flight on the DEL-BLR sector.

Good to see the loads on the 787 flights. However, AI seems to have a lot of tech issues with their 787s. At any given time, there is at least one 787 grounded!

Hope AI manages to resolve these issues and get all their 787s flying.

Cheers,
Vivek

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Cool report!

Thanks Nils

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Finally you were able (or already, compared by me) to tick off that 787 from the list

Yay! Done!

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Not sure about the catering though, food looked a bit strange and no extra drinks available?

Well, coke and fanta.....that was it though

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Come on, even I knew that

Well, I'm not keeping up with delieveries

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Oh my, what a terrible procedure there. So did you get to keep the opener?

Yes. Lots of security screeners have issues with it for some reason

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): It's good that didn't get rid of those nice red window linings on the outside. That's what makes the AI livery I think.

Agree - I love those little palaces!

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Such an old movie. Was it in the 'classics' section?

Or new releases!

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): No the paper on the door is not cutting edge and the technology to auto-flush isn't either but probably most people didn't get how to flush the toilet. Wasn't it indicated?

I don't think so

Quoting vivekman2006 (Reply 9): Great report

Thanks!

Quoting vivekman2006 (Reply 9): The inflight experience looks pretty similar to my flight on the DEL-BLR sector.

Ha, yes, nearly identical

Quoting vivekman2006 (Reply 9): Good to see the loads on the 787 flights. However, AI seems to have a lot of tech issues with their 787s. At any given time, there is at least one 787 grounded!

Yes, not very good for AI

That chocolate brownie looked like a turd with nuts in. Did you have to pay for it or was it complimentary?

Nice report by the way

Quoting Delboy (Reply 11): That chocolate brownie looked like a turd with nuts in. Did you have to pay for it or was it complimentary?

That was the best looking thing to eat in the terminal. It was paid for with cold hard cash.

Quoting Delboy (Reply 11): Nice report by the way

Thanks Delboy

Hi Gabriel!

Yet again, another great addition to your Asia series!
Very nice to catch the 787, congrats. I also flew the 787 for the first time 3 weeks ago and really enjoyed it.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): With no lounge to go to, or shops to look around, I bought a brownie and radioactive looking drink, and found a seat upstairs.

That is one weird looking color!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I decided to throw caution to the wind, and asked a member of ground staff if I could take some photos…to my astonishment, he said yes

Very nice of him!

Looking forward to the last part  

Brendan

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 13): Yet again, another great addition to your Asia series!

Thanks Brendan!

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 13): That is one weird looking color!

I think it was supposed to be lime!

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 13): Very nice of him!

Yes, especially as most airport personel are photo Nazis

Hello once again Gabriel, think I've finally caught up with your trip now! Although, it seems you've now gone off somewhere else this morning!!

Those Air India seats look a pretty bad colour to me, although the plane itself doesn't look too bad. Looking forward to my trip on the 787 next month... And I'm also hoping for no last minute substitutions!

Looking forward to the final installment.

Wonderful report, gabrielchew! Contrary to many, I think the interiors of AI's 787s look great. Additionally, I think AI has one of the smartest liveries on the 787.

I hope to fly on the 787 soon... looks like such a nice ride.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Next stop was the security search….ugh, what a hassle. There were some 5 queues for people, but just 2 for bags. So many people seemed to be travelling without any hand luggage at all. The set up meant that I had to leave my bag on the x-ray counter, then leave it and queue a few metres away for the body scanner. Of course, once I was through the scanner, I realised that I was supposed to have kept hold of my boarding pass so it could be stamped. However, the security staff were already in a tizzy as there was a bottle opener in my bag, so they had to go through it and re-scan it before the boarding pass stamping guy could do his thing, which really annoyed him. The whole experience was highly unenjoyable.

Having been to India a few times, I can relate to this. Security was incredibly stupid and unpleasant. I hope they improve that in the future.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): As I was sat at the back of the plane, I was directed to use the rear door. Very unusually, the steps were attached to door 4R, rather than 4L. When I saw her here yesterday, they did the same thing. Any reason for it?

How strange, but that's pretty cool you were able to board from 4R! A rare opportunity for sure!

Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to read your next installment on SV.

Hi Gabriel,

a good one once again, thanks for sharing. And congrats of course for your first 787, I think it looks very sharp in that AI colors. In general AI seemed to be ok, though nothing too special on this flight.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Very unusually, the steps were attached to door 4R, rather than 4L. When I saw her here yesterday, they did the same thing. Any reason for it?

Now that's really interesting, especially since in the front the stairs were on the correct side. Anyway for sure an interesting experience to be able to walk underneath the rear end of the plane to board. A good opportunity for some nice photos (and of course great that they explicitly allowed you to do so).

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): That doesn’t look very cutting edge.

Funny   Though I don't want to know the reason why they felt it necessary to write such a sign   ...

Greetings
CaptainRed

Quoting Sultanils (Reply 8): Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):That doesn’t look very cutting edge. No the paper on the door is not cutting edge and the technology to auto-flush isn't either but probably most people didn't get how to flush the toilet. Wasn't it indicated?

I think the planes are being used on domestic sectors initially just to get the crew familiarised......that won't last too long....these sectors are normally done by the A320....

On these domestic sectors, better to have such additional signage, as some of the traveling public could do with those extra hints.....

Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 16): Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):As I was sat at the back of the plane, I was directed to use the rear door. Very unusually, the steps were attached to door 4R, rather than 4L. When I saw her here yesterday, they did the same thing. Any reason for it? How strange, but that's pretty cool you were able to board from 4R! A rare opportunity for sure!

Is it possible that they are trying out all variations? After all, as mentioned above, the 787s were being initially flown on domestic routes for familiarisation purposes.....just guessing....

Hi Gabriel,

Welcome to the flown 787 crew, not all that many of us  

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): the Dreamliner (what an awful moniker…I shall not use this name again)

- Indeed, quite agreed!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): the security staff were already in a tizzy as there was a bottle opener in my bag

- Interesting, do you always carry one?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Nice big PTV

- Huge, much bigger than the ones ANA have on their 787 fleet.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Half an hour after take off, the meal service began. The choice was uninspiring…veg or non-veg. I went with the non-veg.

- Plenty of it though!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): On this super modern plane, of course I had to check out the facilities. That doesn’t look very cutting edge.

- No, not with the brown tape on the sign, oh my, sigh!

Cheers

Mark

Thanks for all the comments!

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 15): think I've finally caught up with your trip now! Although, it seems you've now gone off somewhere else this morning!!

Yes, just added another report to my to do list!

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 15): Those Air India seats look a pretty bad colour to me, although the plane itself doesn't look too bad. Looking forward to my trip on the 787 next month... And I'm also hoping for no last minute substitutions!

I like the colours! And the palaces in the windows!

Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 16): Wonderful report

Thanks!

Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 16): Contrary to many, I think the interiors of AI's 787s look great. Additionally, I think AI has one of the smartest liveries on the 787.

Very much aggree

Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 16): Having been to India a few times, I can relate to this. Security was incredibly stupid and unpleasant. I hope they improve that in the future.

Finger's crossed

Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 16): How strange, but that's pretty cool you were able to board from 4R! A rare opportunity for sure!

Very very - great thing to be able to do

Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 16): Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to read your next installment on SV.

HOpefully will be done in a day or two

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 17): a good one once again, thanks for sharing

Glad you liked it!

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 17): In general AI seemed to be ok, though nothing too special on this flight.

Yes, very acceptably standard

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 17): Now that's really interesting, especially since in the front the stairs were on the correct side. Anyway for sure an interesting experience to be able to walk underneath the rear end of the plane to board. A good opportunity for some nice photos (and of course great that they explicitly allowed you to do so).

Yes, was a nice intro to the 787

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 18): On these domestic sectors, better to have such additional signage, as some of the traveling public could do with those extra hints.....

Very true

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 18): Is it possible that they are trying out all variations? After all, as mentioned above, the 787s were being initially flown on domestic routes for familiarisation purposes.....just guessing....

Makes sense. Still, they must understand the reason that 99.9% of flights are boarded from the L side?

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): Welcome to the flown 787 crew, not all that many of us

Hurrah!

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): - Interesting, do you always carry one?

Nearly always. It's a little metal Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is nearly always singled out wherever I am, and the staff always need to look at it for a few secodns to work out what it is.

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): - Plenty of it though!

Ha, yes, plenty of unidentifiable stodgy, greasy carbs!

Hi Gabriel

I've been following this series from the very first part and I've been really enjoying it. Looks like you had an interesting trip on the 787. It's kind of strange, the comment most people who've been on the plane make is that it's actually rather nice but not really that different to other airplanes.

What strikes me about your pictures is that the B787 has some resemblance to that cheap plastic look and feel you normally only get on the Airbuses: the sink and surfaces in the toilet look similar to those an an Airbus and even the shape and design of the exit signs is kind of Airbus-esque.

Or is that just me?

In any case, excellent stuff and keep up the good work.

Cheers,
William

Hi Gabriel,

very nice continuation of your series! AI's 787 looks perfectly fine, wouldn't mind to try it on a longer flight. Luckily you haven't been affected by a last minute aircraft change, it seems AI is having some trouble with its Dreamliners.

The meal looks great, btw. More than sufficient on such a short domestic flight.


PH

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 21): I've been following this series from the very first part and I've been really enjoying it

Thank you!

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 21): It's kind of strange, the comment most people who've been on the plane make is that it's actually rather nice but not really that different to other airplanes.

Very true....from a pax perspective, the only real difference is the window shade button. I hope for the airlines, the differences are more noticeable.

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 21): What strikes me about your pictures is that the B787 has some resemblance to that cheap plastic look and feel you normally only get on the Airbuses: the sink and surfaces in the toilet look similar to those an an Airbus and even the shape and design of the exit signs is kind of Airbus-esque. Or is that just me?

Maybe Boeing has finally realised Airbus makes a superior product so has started copying them!

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 22): very nice continuation of your series!

Thanks Udo

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 22): Luckily you haven't been affected by a last minute aircraft change, it seems AI is having some trouble with its Dreamliners.

Yes, I was lucky with that one. I'd have been very annoyed to have missed another one on the same trip.

Hi Gabriel!

Great to read about your 787 flight and glad that it worked out without any equipment change.

Aircraft looks great and very similar to the layout on the 77L that I took about five years ago, JFK-BOM.

Nice with so much food on such a short flight but too bad that it wasn't that great.

PTV looks the same as the 77L as well and lack of content sounds very familiar as well.

I hope to go to DEL in April to so will see that great new terminal in person.

Very much looking forward to your SV 777 experience!

The777Man

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Great to read about your 787 flight

Thanks!

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): glad that it worked out without any equipment change.

Yes, what a relief

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Nice with so much food on such a short flight but too bad that it wasn't that great.

Yes, plenty of rather odd food

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Very much looking forward to your SV 777 experience!

I'm writing it now!

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 20): Makes sense. Still, they must understand the reason that 99.9% of flights are boarded from the L side?

Well, I'm sure they do....Indian airports, including CCU, have been handling flights for decades now   

Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Nice with so much food on such a short flight but too bad that it wasn't that great.

Bear in mind that the food is predominantly Indian and for most westerners, they either like it tremendously or dislike it altogether....AI food is the only thing about the airline that continues to receive some appreciation - especially from a.netters 

Great report!! Good to see the AI 787 back here on AI.net!! Hope you enjoyed ur stay in India

Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 17): Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): That doesn’t look very cutting edge. Funny   Though I don't want to know the reason why they felt it necessary to write such a sign  ...

I think the flush mechanism of the 787 is not that intuitive. Even after u wave at the sensor, nothing happens until the toilet seat is put down. When I first tried it, i thought the sensor was broken.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Despite being parked next to the terminal with a working jetbridge, we disembarked via the rear stairs again

I think the same a/c does DEL-DXB-DEL and hence u were at the international side and bussed to the domestic section.

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 26): Bear in mind that the food is predominantly Indian and for most westerners, they either like it tremendously or dislike it altogether....AI food is the only thing about the airline that continues to receive some appreciation - especially from a.netters

Yes, this is true. You either love it or hate it. I would have preferred a curry and rice though!

Quoting justbala (Reply 27): Great report!!

Thanks!

Quoting justbala (Reply 27): Hope you enjoyed ur stay in India

Um, not really...you can read about that in the next part!

Quoting justbala (Reply 27): I think the flush mechanism of the 787 is not that intuitive. Even after u wave at the sensor, nothing happens until the toilet seat is put down. When I first tried it, i thought the sensor was broken.

I think they went a bit too far to only enable flushing when the seat is down. I'd rather not touch any part of the toilet on a plane

Quoting justbala (Reply 27): I think the same a/c does DEL-DXB-DEL and hence u were at the international side and bussed to the domestic section.

Yes, I thought it might be something like that

Great report Gabriel  

Nice to see the AI 787. Was going to fly it last week, but with my recent luck with delays and techs and all, i left it for another time!

The meal looked quite substantial, and i wonder what the veg option (my preferred of course) would have turned out to be  

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Roni

Quoting ronerone (Reply 29): Great report Gabriel

Thanks Roni!

Quoting ronerone (Reply 29): Nice to see the AI 787. Was going to fly it last week, but with my recent luck with delays and techs and all, i left it for another time!

Probably safer...they'll be around for a while I imagine

Quoting ronerone (Reply 29): The meal looked quite substantial, and i wonder what the veg option (my preferred of course) would have turned out to be

I guess the veg option would be basically the same, except without whatever mystery non-veg ingredient that was supposedly in mine (I couldn't detect any meat whatsoever)

Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 26): Bear in mind that the food is predominantly Indian and for most westerners, they either like it tremendously or dislike it altogether....AI food is the only thing about the airline that continues to receive some appreciation - especially from a.netters

I had a great meal on my AI flight in Oct07 JFK-BOM. In fact, the whole flight is one of the best I have ever had in economy on any airline. : )

My comment was just a comment on the author's opinion.

The777Man

Quoting The777Man (Reply 31): I had a great meal on my AI flight in Oct07 JFK-BOM. In fact, the whole flight is one of the best I have ever had in economy on any airline. : )

I imagine (and hope) the international meals are a little more imaginative than the domestic ones.

Very nice, the 787! Congratulations on that, and thanks for sharing your experience.
What is up with flying in India being such a hassle?

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 33): Very nice, the 787

Yes, it's a very nice plane

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 33): Congratulations on that, and thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks!

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 33): What is up with flying in India being such a hassle?

I have no idea. They seem to be massochists, the lot of them. They just love security and red tape.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): and radioactive looking drink

hehe, this was hilarious.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): And my window tinting demonstration!

Brilliant.!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The lack of drinks I thought was a little odd. Is there a better selection on internationals?

On AI, yup, they do have drinks on international flights. In fact they are over generous, once on an AI 773 from LHR-DEl, the FA, upon asking for a scotch, poured me two full small plastic cups with red label, and grinned and said " this should keep you busy for the flight.!?! "

But the 787 looks great. Cant wait to get on it, although no trips in the near future where i see myself flying on this bird.
Great trip report.

Sorry, forgot to reply to this!

Quoting newbief1yer (Reply 35): hehe, this was hilarious.

And not great!

Quoting newbief1yer (Reply 35): Brilliant.!

Thanks

Quoting newbief1yer (Reply 35): On AI, yup, they do have drinks on international flights. In fact they are over generous, once on an AI 773 from LHR-DEl, the FA, upon asking for a scotch, poured me two full small plastic cups with red label, and grinned and said " this should keep you busy for the flight.!?! "

Good to hear

Quoting newbief1yer (Reply 35): But the 787 looks great. Cant wait to get on it, although no trips in the near future where i see myself flying on this bird.

Shame they've now been grounded. Seems I made it just in time

Quoting newbief1yer (Reply 35): Great trip report.

Thanks!

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 36): Shame they've now been grounded. Seems I made it just in time

Indeed
I thought i had seen an ET 787 last week at Heathrow, only to zoom into my picture (that i had clicked) to see it was a 767 and not a 787
 

Quoting newbief1yer (Reply 37): I thought i had seen an ET 787 last week at Heathrow, only to zoom into my picture (that i had clicked) to see it was a 767 and not a 787

Yeah, I don't think there are any 787s resting in LHR now. I saw a QR one at T4 just before the grounding. Maybe not again for a while