As soon as I arrived from New York, I looked for the transfer desk for Jet Airways. It took me about five minutes to get there but there was no on there. I asked an airport official and he pointed out a supervisor for Jet who helped me. I showed him my e-ticket receipt and passport and after looking that over he called on his cellphone and 10 minutes later I had a boarding pass in my hand. The transit area in BOM is not great but there were some souvenir shops and a two or three restaurants. Every gate has a lounge with darkened windows with secured access and it was dark so no possibilities for spotting. I did manage to see a Kenya Airways 777 arriving.
Boarding was very orderly and started about an hour before departure. I was among the last to board because of being towards the front in Y class. The flights was perhaps 70-80 percent full but I still managed to get three seats for myself with me in the window. Very nice! I should be able to get some sleep on this flight as well.
It was very impressive stepping on board a teak floor rather than the usual carpet. This was a stand up bar for business class and I walked past the business class section to my seat. The business class section was in a 2-4-2 fishbone pattern like on AC and NZ unlike AI who has the capsule seats in J like AZ, PK to name a few.
The seat was very comfortable and leg room was similar to AI. No leg rest though. Staff was friendly and efficient and with very striking uniforms with yellow long jackets. The uniform seemed more western but still nice. I also noted that some of the flight attendants were not Indian but probably from the Philippines. Even the Indian flight attendants were not as attractive as the ones on AI. The aircraft was brand new; delivered about a week earlier on 2 November 2007 which was very nice.
I was given a cold towel before we pushed back just like on AI. Perhaps an Indian specialty ? We were also given candy and a bottle of lemon juice. An amenity kit was also handed out along with a menu when we had pushed back. The amenity kit had socks, shades, earplugs, toothpaste and toothbrush. It came in a rectangular hard plastic case which was different but nice; I can probably make use of the case for carrying something now.
I did see an AI 77W while were taxing to depart and a few other more AI 310s. Just before us was another 9W 77W to Brussels and Newark but I couldn’t get the registration of that. I tried the lemon juice during taxi it was absolutely awful; what I imagine dishwater would taste like when you have used lemons scented soap.
Take off was impressive as always with those GE90-115s and we climbed fast as well. There was no outside camera on 9W which is too bad. It’s a feature that I enjoy particularly during taxing and on approach. The menu said we would have a refreshment rather than a dinner and about 30 minutes after take off, this refreshment was served. I had Awadhi Chicken Croissant (Tender morsels of chicken cooked in enclosed container with crean, encased in rich croissant dough and baked, served warm). It also came with desert, Fruit Kheer, which didn’t look appetizing so I didn’t try it. The meal also came with a thicker napkin like on UU and that was nice. Also included were after meal mints seeds which was different but oaky. Drinks served after the meal and I asked for an Indian beer but like on AI, got a Tiger beer which seems to come from Singapore…The beer was given to me without even offering a glass…..The meal was good as a refreshment but left me a little hungry…
The Airshow map was on and was the new system called iExplor which is very nice. The headsets were more regular (cheaper) than on AI but still okay. The control for the entertainment system was much easier to navigate than AI’s. The entertainment options were less on 9W than on AI though. There was theme called The Greatest Heists and I watched The Italian Job which was good. By this time we had made it up to 34 000 feet with mood lightning on and we would late make it up to 36 000 feet before we started our descent.
I decided to sleep for a few hours and was happy that the pillows were slightly thinker on AI. I slept for about three hours which was nice. The seats recline a lot but thankfully not as much as on EK. I woke up and watched the Airshow map and was waiting for drinks to be offered but to no avail. I then went to the galley where there was a stand up bar and got some water.
I was watching Mr Bean’s Holiday when breakfast was served about 90 minutes before arrival. I had a Spanish Omelette (Open faced omelette topped with mushrooms, peppers and potatoes served with barbecued chicken patty and spicy potato wedges). It also came with a croissant and tea. The omelette was good particularly the chicken patty which is very tasty. The croissant was too dry and fell apart a few times.
Soon descent into LHR started and we landed about 30 minutes early. Cabin again was spayed about 10 minutes before landing. Routing was over Karachi, Tehran, Trabzon, Varna, Prague, Antwerp to London.
All in all a nice trip. Too bad with not a full meal service but probably because of the hour of departure.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Krje1980 From Norway, joined Feb 2006, 192 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 6 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 7917 times:
You've written some truly great reports! Great job!
Just one question: How come you went all the way to India only to fly back to LHR immediately? (you might have mentioned it, but I can't remember reading it).
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (5 years 6 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 7677 times:
Quoting Krje1980 (Reply 1): Just one question: How come you went all the way to India only to fly back to LHR immediately? (you might have mentioned it, but I can't remember reading it).
I did that for two reasons: to avoid having to get a visa for India and because I didn't have that much time. I bit odd I admit to connect thru BOM to get to LHR.
Thanks for the nice comments!
Next report on KQ 777 should be up shortly.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 5, posted (5 years 6 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 7597 times:
Quoting Mk777 (Reply 4): AI won your heart more than 9W
Yes, they were slightly better than 9W in my opnion, on the two flights that I took.
Quoting Mk777 (Reply 4): I guess you just wanted to get on the 772LR and 77W and not a trip to India, am i right?
Yes, I just wanted to try both of these carriers' 777s and this worked out really well especially since I would not need a visa to India.
Also see my third installment of this past week's trips; KQ 777 LHR-NBO
I think that AI or 9W should start service to IAD soon unless UA starts service to India from there first. Seems to a big demand. It would be a great addition to Capital to Capital service that UA is pushing for. Perhaps if AI joined Star Alliance, we could see them at IAD. As a former Northern Virginia resident, it would be great to see either one at IAD.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Gr8Circle From Canada, joined Dec 2005, 2985 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (5 years 6 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 7040 times:
Hi,
Good report! I too flew on the 9W 773 and 332 recently.....found them to be very good......
Quoting The777Man (Thread starter): I tried the lemon juice during taxi it was absolutely awful; what I imagine dishwater would taste like when you have used lemons scented soap.
I was served with exactly similar bottle of lemon juice and found it to be excellent...this is the way lemon juice is traditionally consumed in summer months, served by street vendors in Indian cities....it's as natural as it can be, directly squeezed from the lemon itself, into the glass and mixed with water and sugar and a pinch of salt......maybe that's why you found it different, because out west, we're more used to factory processed stuff, with a lot of preservatives and additives......or maybe your bottle was just an odd one out, tasting bad
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 9, posted (5 years 6 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 6920 times:
Quoting The777Man (Thread starter): Boarding was very orderly and started about an hour before departure.
= LOL. I think thats a first for an ex-India TR .
Great TRs. Its interesting that you mention you preferred AI over 9W. Its amazing how you either become an AI fan or an AI critic. In all my experiences with India (and I fly there almost every other month), I not only prefer AI to 9W, but actually like it more than most carriers in the world. Of course, thats when the flight actually takes off .
Buck3y3nut From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 864 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 6 months 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 6842 times:
Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 8): I tried the lemon juice during taxi it was absolutely awful; what I imagine dishwater would taste like when you have used lemons scented soap.
Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 8): I was served with exactly similar bottle of lemon juice and found it to be excellent...this is the way lemon juice is traditionally consumed in summer months, served by street vendors in Indian cities....it's as natural as it can be, directly squeezed from the lemon itself, into the glass and mixed with water and sugar and a pinch of salt......maybe that's why you found it different, because out west, we're more used to factory processed stuff, with a lot of preservatives and additives......or maybe your bottle was just an odd one out, tasting bad smile
I was served that same juice on a domestic flight from BOM to BLR. I found it to be excellent as well. It was quite refreshing. I think The777Man probably was expecting Lemonade (which in the US is very very sweet). But in India, its made with a touch of salt, and to be exact its not your regular table salt, its actually Rock Salt (which is pink in color). It has an odd taste that only a few get accustomed to. So I feel you when you didn't like it because you never even tasted that type of salt before
But great trip report. I really enjoyed reading about 9W's service. Although I've heard from people that due to the hour of departure, you almost never get a full attentive service, which was also true in your case.
Thanks for sharing this report and proving a nice comparison b/w 9W & AI Widebodies
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 11, posted (5 years 6 months 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 6835 times:
Quoting JMO-777 (Reply 7): So you suggest to try the AI 77L before flying with 9W's 77W?
Yes, if you are going from NYC, nonstop must be preferred to one-stop when the service is similiar or better. The service level may also depand on the load factor so keep that in mind.
Quoting JMO-777 (Reply 7): How many different 777s did you spot in LHR? Quite a few, right?
I didn't need any BA,, AA or UA 777s, but as far as new numbers for me, managed to get four EK 777s, two PK and one more 9W 777. So did very well. Got a total of 22 new 777 frames on this trip for a total of 548.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8258 posts, RR: 56 Reply 13, posted (5 years 6 months 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 6269 times:
Great TR, a nice read and good to compare 9W to AI with similar new planes.
Of the 2 interiors from the 2 TR's, I prefer the AI interior.
Quoting The777Man (Thread starter): I tried the lemon juice during taxi it was absolutely awful; what I imagine dishwater would taste like when you have used lemons scented soap.
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 14, posted (5 years 6 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 6162 times:
Ammunition From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2002, 1064 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (5 years 6 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 5896 times:
Hey, excellent trip report, i would like to try 9W 777, their 330's are excellent having flown lhr-del-lhr eariler this year.
from my experience AI are a better airline in general, and thats just from the old AI, they are more mature (literally) and have more experience, the flying experience is better. With 9W i was very dissapointed with their standard of service for the international flights- having been expecting top notch service, especially in comparison to AI. They seem very disorganised on board. Ive flown CCU-BKK-CCU on 9W as well, and similarly i was unimpressed. The IFE was good, especially for a 73G. Maybe 9W will flourish with experience.
Saint Augustine- 'The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only 1 page'
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 16, posted (5 years 6 months 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 5730 times:
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