Air India to join Star Alliance 11 July

[markis10]

@staralliance: Join us to welcome Air India as new member from July 11. Adding 400 daily flights, 35 new destinations to the network http://t.co/JAb4zCobED

 

[TomVexille]

So they finally got in...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Whilst I detest AI, and vow never to fly with them given *any* other choice (including rail/sea), it does interestingly present yet another option for Star Alliance partners from Australia into India.

 

[zainman]

Whilst I detest AI, and vow never to fly with them given *any* other choice (including rail/sea), it does interestingly present yet another option for Star Alliance partners from Australia into India.

and maybe onwards to Europe too? Wonder how the flight times connect to EU services from Oz..

 

[Danger]

Great photo.

 

[TomVexille]

and maybe onwards to Europe too? Wonder how the flight times connect to EU services from Oz..

And they are often the cheapest option MEL-ORD when punched into kayak...

 

[cmon0005]

AI's hard product is pretty poor (even their 787 product in J is rubbish). At least they didn't join Oneworld!
I've known people who have had cancelled flights in J in AI (domestic Indian flights) and instead of being reaccomodated on other flights/airlines, they've been shoved on a coughpy bus and made to drive hours to the destination, and then had to fight for compensation! Enough said..

 

[Sprucegoose]

They can have them!!!

 

[Foreigner]

Great photo.

Which airport / terminal would that photo be of?

 

[dajop]

SIN-CDG return (via DEL which is much better than via BOM) at the moment is ~$1600 return in business class on 787. Sort of says something. Price is good, but could just stick to SQ, MH, EK or other carrier in economy.

 

[Danger]

Which airport / terminal would that photo be of?

At a guess I would say LHR.

 

[juddles]

.....AI's hard product is pretty poor (even their 787 product in J is rubbish). .....

Am not disagreeing, as have never flown them, but why is their 787 J product so bad? With fares similar to Y on other carriers, is it really that bad?

 

[cmon0005]

Am not disagreeing, as have never flown them, but why is their 787 J product so bad? With fares similar to Y on other carriers, is it really that bad?

Put it this way I reckon the seat in JQ's 787 J class is more comfortable then the AI 787 J class seats(well maybe I am exaggerating a bit there) however AI had a big chance to make their 787 product world class, especially for long trips like DEL-MEL, but they didn't, and service/meals etc is seriously lacking.
There was a trip report on AFF from another member on AI 787 J class which I will try and find, and they also weren't very impressed.

Edit: found that AFF members trip report. http://www.australianfrequentflyer....nd-trip-photos/air-india-j-del-syd-54591.html

 

[somebol]

AI 787 seat itself is quite good. It's the food and service that you have to worry about.

 

[dajop]

AI 787 seat itself is quite good. It's the food and service that you have to worry about.

But that being the case, if the flight (in J) was several hundred dollars cheaper than most reputable carriers in economy (such EK, SQ, LH, BA, KL, QR) would you worry so much about the food? Or would you save $400 and just go on MH in economy on an A380.

 

[somebol]

At that price, I would eat prior and sleep on board AI 787.

 

[dajop]

So as a follow up to this thread, Air India did finally join Star Alliance. I am now braving them for the first time (well third time if you count two short domestic sectors). The total cost of my fare between Sin & Europe in J (SIN-DEL-CDG/MXP-DEL-SIN), 787 on all sectors. was ~$1500 AUD return, the only cheaper fares I could get on the days I am travelling were on Jet Airways or Air India in economy. The big downside with this fare - which is why it is so cheap - is the 14 hour layover in DEL, and unfortunately I didn't have time to get a transit visa, so will be stuck airside. Will look at a lounge vs paying for room in transit hotel for this layover.

Also, if I wasn't already star gold with SQ, this trip would easily get Aegean star gold as well.

 

[Danger]

So as a follow up to this thread, Air India did finally join Star Alliance. I am now braving them for the first time (well third time if you count two short domestic sectors). The total cost of my fare between Sin & Europe in J (SIN-DEL-CDG/MXP-DEL-SIN), 787 on all sectors. was ~$1500 AUD return, the only cheaper fares I could get on the days I am travelling were on Jet Airways or Air India in economy. The big downside with this fare - which is why it is so cheap - is the 14 hour layover in DEL, and unfortunately I didn't have time to get a transit visa, so will be stuck airside. Will look at a lounge vs paying for room in transit hotel for this layover.

I'd be interested in hearing your experiences.

Also, if I wasn't already star gold with SQ, this trip would easily get Aegean star gold as well.

Very handy to know.

 

[TomVexille]

So as a follow up to this thread, Air India did finally join Star Alliance. I am now braving them for the first time (well third time if you count two short domestic sectors). The total cost of my fare between Sin & Europe in J (SIN-DEL-CDG/MXP-DEL-SIN), 787 on all sectors. was ~$1500 AUD return, the only cheaper fares I could get on the days I am travelling were on Jet Airways or Air India in economy. The big downside with this fare - which is why it is so cheap - is the 14 hour layover in DEL, and unfortunately I didn't have time to get a transit visa, so will be stuck airside. Will look at a lounge vs paying for room in transit hotel for this layover.

Also, if I wasn't already star gold with SQ, this trip would easily get Aegean star gold as well.

I'd be interested in hearing your experiences.

As am I...

 

[Foreigner]

So as a follow up to this thread, Air India did finally join Star Alliance. I am now braving them for the first time (well third time if you count two short domestic sectors). The total cost of my fare between Sin & Europe in J (SIN-DEL-CDG/MXP-DEL-SIN), 787 on all sectors. was ~$1500 AUD return, the only cheaper fares I could get on the days I am travelling were on Jet Airways or Air India in economy. The big downside with this fare - which is why it is so cheap - is the 14 hour layover in DEL, and unfortunately I didn't have time to get a transit visa, so will be stuck airside. Will look at a lounge vs paying for room in transit hotel for this layover.

Also, if I wasn't already star gold with SQ, this trip would easily get Aegean star gold as well.

If you have Amex platinum you'll be glad to know there's a lounge in DEL. I understand a very good one.