With all of the talk about AI and ORD today, I figured that I'd ask this. Saw a pretty good rate for ORD-LHR on AI for travel in November. Can anyone give me the low down on the quality of AI's trans-Atlantic product? It would be in Y class, so I'm not quite sure what to expect. For some reason, the logic in my is saying pay the extra $125 or so to go on UA, but saving a buck or two is always a nice thing.
NS
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AI Trans-Atlantic Service
United 717 heavy, you're facing the wrong way. Any chance you can powerback to get off of my deice pad?
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
Between AI and UA, I say its six of one, half dozen of the other.
Service on AI is good, but the planes are shabby with no PTVs and the like. UA is just surly service with appalling meals. If you wanna pay an extra $ 125, go with BA.
Service on AI is good, but the planes are shabby with no PTVs and the like. UA is just surly service with appalling meals. If you wanna pay an extra $ 125, go with BA.
Atheism is Myth Understood.
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
I met a couple of UK residents at a pub in Chicago a couple of years ago, and they loved Air India and used that airline to fly to the US. I didn't get into any details about why, however, as we mostly talked about football. (They were West Ham supporters.)
What rate did you find on AI for November?
What rate did you find on AI for November?
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
I believe that it was $450 r/t incl taxes.
United 717 heavy, you're facing the wrong way. Any chance you can powerback to get off of my deice pad?
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
forgot to include, BA and AA were both around $1400 for the same dates, with UA being around $600.
NS
NS
United 717 heavy, you're facing the wrong way. Any chance you can powerback to get off of my deice pad?
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
At the risk of being flamed, I would stay away from AI. Why? Many Indians for (I think) religious reasons can't use a product that is found in deodorants. So you will often find that the cabin ambiance is quite different than what you are most often used to.
If I am totally off base with the background, please educate me. But I am on target with the reality.
If I am totally off base with the background, please educate me. But I am on target with the reality.
21 year airliners.net vet! 2000-2021
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
Many Indians for (I think) religious reasons can't use a product that is found in deodorants
Zrs70
Before I flame you
, pray please tell me what is that product in deodorants that Indians can't use for religious reasons. I did not know that beef or pork flavoured deodorants existed. And in any case (at the risk of getting flamed and roasted myself) a lot of us Indians actually don't mind a steak of holy cow along with some pork chops.
Anyhow, I have not found the interior of AI smelling any worse (or better) than any of the other carriers. A little food smell, yes maybe.. but thats because AI serves good grub (and thats a lot better than most of the others I'd say).
AI is a good buy (no pun intended!). Y/cl may be a bit cramped. See if you get the front economy cabin on the 744 which you have a fair chance of getting a 3-3-3 config which would be more comfy. No PTV, plenty of Hindi and regional IFE besides some good English ones as well. Attractive uniforms with unattractive F/As in them and hey.. the chance of experiencing mini-India at FL370.
Go for it!
rgds//Vimanav
Zrs70
Before I flame you
, pray please tell me what is that product in deodorants that Indians can't use for religious reasons. I did not know that beef or pork flavoured deodorants existed. And in any case (at the risk of getting flamed and roasted myself) a lot of us Indians actually don't mind a steak of holy cow along with some pork chops.
Anyhow, I have not found the interior of AI smelling any worse (or better) than any of the other carriers. A little food smell, yes maybe.. but thats because AI serves good grub (and thats a lot better than most of the others I'd say).
AI is a good buy (no pun intended!). Y/cl may be a bit cramped. See if you get the front economy cabin on the 744 which you have a fair chance of getting a 3-3-3 config which would be more comfy. No PTV, plenty of Hindi and regional IFE besides some good English ones as well. Attractive uniforms with unattractive F/As in them and hey.. the chance of experiencing mini-India at FL370.
Go for it!
rgds//Vimanav
Sarfaroshi kii tamannaa ab hamaare dil mein hai, Dekhnaa hai zor kitnaa baazu-e-qaatil mein hai
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
"At the risk of being flamed, I would stay away from AI. Why? Many Indians for (I think) religious reasons can't use a product that is found in deodorants. So you will often find that the cabin ambiance is quite different than what you are most often used to."
If ignorance was bliss, then you must be in a state of perpetual nirvana.
And, just in case you don't get it, thats your yarmulke going up in flames.
If ignorance was bliss, then you must be in a state of perpetual nirvana.
And, just in case you don't get it, thats your yarmulke going up in flames.
Atheism is Myth Understood.
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
My bad, not a religious, but rather a cultural thing. Nothing to do with hygiene, but rather to do with eating (spices, etc).
Sorry to offend, I had bad information.
Sorry to offend, I had bad information.
21 year airliners.net vet! 2000-2021
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
The advantage of flying AI to LHR from ORD or any transatlantic route is :
1. THE FARE only
Disadvantage :
1. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE STINKY TOILETS
2. No PTVs in Eco class unlike BA (744-772) and UAL-AA (777)
3. Bad hygiene of passengers
4. Very loud crying babies
5. These same points apply to BIMAN and PIA!
Advantage of paying extra for BA :
1. Good IFE and PTVs
2. Cleaner aeroplane especially toilets
3. Excellent meals
4. V good inflight cabin crew service
If it is US $ 100-150 more then fly BA but if its more than US $ 150-200 than stick with AI. You may enjoy it if it isnt a FULL FLIGHT ; )
1. THE FARE only
Disadvantage :
1. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE STINKY TOILETS
2. No PTVs in Eco class unlike BA (744-772) and UAL-AA (777)
3. Bad hygiene of passengers
4. Very loud crying babies
5. These same points apply to BIMAN and PIA!
Advantage of paying extra for BA :
1. Good IFE and PTVs
2. Cleaner aeroplane especially toilets
3. Excellent meals
4. V good inflight cabin crew service
If it is US $ 100-150 more then fly BA but if its more than US $ 150-200 than stick with AI. You may enjoy it if it isnt a FULL FLIGHT ; )
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
"3. Bad hygiene of passengers
4. Very loud crying babies"
LOL !
I suppose babies are automatically silenced when confronted by BA's stroppy madams
. And the stinky on BA suddenly turn into avatars of Chanel No. 5. Indeed, BA has a wonderful product. But I've had more than my share of screaming babies on BA.
You guys are just too much ! But then I forget that the average age on here is 15, and the average IQ not much higher than that.
4. Very loud crying babies"
LOL !
I suppose babies are automatically silenced when confronted by BA's stroppy madams
. And the stinky on BA suddenly turn into avatars of Chanel No. 5. Indeed, BA has a wonderful product. But I've had more than my share of screaming babies on BA.
You guys are just too much ! But then I forget that the average age on here is 15, and the average IQ not much higher than that.
Atheism is Myth Understood.
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RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
"4. Very loud crying babies"
Oh dear, oh dear. 'Nuff said.
"But then I forget that the average age on here is 15, and the average IQ not much higher than that."
LMAO!
Assessing the quality of a product, from beans to airlines, will always be extremely subjective and thus you can only determine the quality of a product to a limited degree by reading other peoples' experiences of it.
I say - GO FOR IT!
Oh dear, oh dear. 'Nuff said.
"But then I forget that the average age on here is 15, and the average IQ not much higher than that."
LMAO!
Assessing the quality of a product, from beans to airlines, will always be extremely subjective and thus you can only determine the quality of a product to a limited degree by reading other peoples' experiences of it.
I say - GO FOR IT!
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
I would NEVER go AI in coach, but as fast as I would say I would never fly Y with them, that's how fast I would fly in either J or F with Air India.
Their premium products are that good, folks. I've experienced it and was very pleasantly surprised, and I've got a fairly high standard. However, one walk through a crowded, messy, smelly coach cabin on a recent EWR-CDG flight was enough to make me forget about even looking at them as an option for an economy class ticket. I'll take CO coach any day over AI internationally, but their Business class gives CO BF some good competition and F edges out CO by the way of extremely attentive service and fabulous catering.
Their premium products are that good, folks. I've experienced it and was very pleasantly surprised, and I've got a fairly high standard. However, one walk through a crowded, messy, smelly coach cabin on a recent EWR-CDG flight was enough to make me forget about even looking at them as an option for an economy class ticket. I'll take CO coach any day over AI internationally, but their Business class gives CO BF some good competition and F edges out CO by the way of extremely attentive service and fabulous catering.
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RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
For those people who are thumbing down Air India, I just wonder how many of you have actually flown with that airline in question? From what I see they are just some cultural stereotype of a South Asian society thrown together in an kaleidescope swirl and voila! It translates to the airline of that origin.
Fly Air India, I say. Try them, test them, fly them. Make your own assesment and write a trip report about it. Dig into the trip rep archives and see what the forum members have to say about that airline. From the ones that have actually flown in their "smelly cabins with crying babies".
Airline food on Asian based airlines have traditionally been better that their western based counterparts by and large. That is because they normally have an "Asian" option which I normally try to choose. Putting the cultural stereotypoes aside, I have not heard anything bad about the grub they serve on board.
As for service, bear in mind that AI is a government run airline, although they are trying to privatise. The FAs that serve on the planes come from the upper crust of the Indian society. While they might differ in their perception of service (all airlines are guilty of this), they are no bimbos when compared to the junior giggly girlies donning the kebayas of SIA. They actually speak better English that some Brits, in my opinion.
Flying Air India is also a cultural experience in its own right. Just like flying any other Asian airline with their uniforms heavily influenced by their national identity (Garuda, Thai, Indian Airlines, Sri Lankan, SIA...). Gawk and admire their complex uniforms and be amazed and how nimble they seem in those sari outfits. I always wonder what happens in an emergency?
So please, dispense the "smelly cabin" and "crying babies" crap and fly the airline before making a historical verdict.
Cheers
Ryan
Fly Air India, I say. Try them, test them, fly them. Make your own assesment and write a trip report about it. Dig into the trip rep archives and see what the forum members have to say about that airline. From the ones that have actually flown in their "smelly cabins with crying babies".
Airline food on Asian based airlines have traditionally been better that their western based counterparts by and large. That is because they normally have an "Asian" option which I normally try to choose. Putting the cultural stereotypoes aside, I have not heard anything bad about the grub they serve on board.
As for service, bear in mind that AI is a government run airline, although they are trying to privatise. The FAs that serve on the planes come from the upper crust of the Indian society. While they might differ in their perception of service (all airlines are guilty of this), they are no bimbos when compared to the junior giggly girlies donning the kebayas of SIA. They actually speak better English that some Brits, in my opinion.
Flying Air India is also a cultural experience in its own right. Just like flying any other Asian airline with their uniforms heavily influenced by their national identity (Garuda, Thai, Indian Airlines, Sri Lankan, SIA...). Gawk and admire their complex uniforms and be amazed and how nimble they seem in those sari outfits. I always wonder what happens in an emergency?
So please, dispense the "smelly cabin" and "crying babies" crap and fly the airline before making a historical verdict.
Cheers
Ryan
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
I would fly AI just to experience a new airline. It would be an interesting experience rather then just another flight on UA.
And it's not like your going all the way to India...
And it's not like your going all the way to India...
EWR-SIN 18.5hrs bring it on!
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
Many Indians for (I think) religious reasons can't use a product that is found in deodorants.
No, I fear you are mixing us up with the French.
No, I fear you are mixing us up with the French.
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
With regards to my comments i have flown eco class AI, PIA, KU, EK and mind you PK and AI are the worst especially in the peak summer-winter months as that is when all their flightst to UK and USA-CAN are overbooked and flooded with loud crying babies. Some of you may have flown AI and PIA and if you see the toilets after an 6-8 hr flight, you will never smell anything more horrible and dirty than that.
Mind you I am from the Indian Subcontinent region and I know what Im talking about...Ive experienced it MULTIPLE TIMES.
Yes AIs new F & J class product is v v good easily 4-5 stars but their Y class isnt.
Mind you I am from the Indian Subcontinent region and I know what Im talking about...Ive experienced it MULTIPLE TIMES.
Yes AIs new F & J class product is v v good easily 4-5 stars but their Y class isnt.
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- JumboBumbo
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RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
I would just fly AI...
If the flight sucks at least you'll have a story to tell. Plus, you'll appreciate how well we have it here in the US of A.
If its a good flight, more the better!
Btw, I don't know if Royal Jordanian flies to ORD, but I've heard good things about them.
If the flight sucks at least you'll have a story to tell. Plus, you'll appreciate how well we have it here in the US of A.
If its a good flight, more the better!
Btw, I don't know if Royal Jordanian flies to ORD, but I've heard good things about them.
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
"Nothing to do with hygiene, but rather to do with eating (spices, etc)."
Then Alitalia would be a garlic fest.
But I rest my case.
Then Alitalia would be a garlic fest.
But I rest my case.
Atheism is Myth Understood.
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
3. Bad hygiene of passengers
With all due respect, i think Indian/South Asian pax are generally better in the hygiene department than many Caucasian/American pax.
I have been seated next to many European/American looking touristy types who smelled and looked like they probably hadnt seen the inside of a bathroom for over a decade.
When the Cabin Attendant came around spraying the deos during the stopover, i think she was making a point!
-Roy
RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
LOL! This thread got funny/nasty in a hurry. 
My cousin regularly (usually monthly) travels JFK-LHR on AI to save money. She says the service is good for the most part with very friendly flight attendants. She also says the meals are pretty good and they tend to be on-time. On the downside, she says the cabin sometimes smells a bit foul (perhaps from the lavs, as someone mentioned previously...or as she put it, from the lack of deodorant) and the seats are old. Depending on the dates of travel, either she can have an entire row by herself, or the entire plane could be packed.
I'd give it a try (unless you are out for FF miles), its only two flights, and it will be an experience.
My cousin regularly (usually monthly) travels JFK-LHR on AI to save money. She says the service is good for the most part with very friendly flight attendants. She also says the meals are pretty good and they tend to be on-time. On the downside, she says the cabin sometimes smells a bit foul (perhaps from the lavs, as someone mentioned previously...or as she put it, from the lack of deodorant) and the seats are old. Depending on the dates of travel, either she can have an entire row by herself, or the entire plane could be packed.
I'd give it a try (unless you are out for FF miles), its only two flights, and it will be an experience.
America's chickens are coming home to rooooost!
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RE: AI Trans-Atlantic Service
Ryanair!!!, what a great post.
I say 'go for it'.
Never flown them, but I base my choice on whoever's cheapest. Go on, it'd be great - and I would love to read a ORD-LHR trip report on AI!
I say 'go for it'.
Never flown them, but I base my choice on whoever's cheapest. Go on, it'd be great - and I would love to read a ORD-LHR trip report on AI!
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