Future of Sub-continent routes

[smit0847]

noooooooooooooooooooooo.....................

I'd happily transit 12hrs in SIN or HG to avoid Air India.
once Malaysian join OW mid-2012, I think they will by far be the best option for travelling into India - to multiple city destinations also.

Air India AI 102: 14/FEB/08: JFK-DEL: Y Cabin — Trip Reports Forum | Airliners.net

It seems like their new 777 product is vastly improved.

 

[cmon0005]

Air India AI 102: 14/FEB/08: JFK-DEL: Y Cabin — Trip Reports Forum | Airliners.net

It seems like their new 777 product is vastly improved.

Their cabin may be improved, but I still am not convinced about AI Intl, maybe one day I'll try it!
Just their website booking experience is still clunky and outdated, what would they do in the event of an aircraft breakdown only having 1 aircraft in the country at any one time, lack of airline alliance (News was that negotiations between AI and *Alliance resumed a few months ago) so that may change in the future..

 

[Timtammi]

I just booked a trip from MEL-DEL for later this year. Last time I needed to travel to DEL for business we flew JQ up to BKK and then TG J to DEL. As I'm pretty much "over" JQ's hyped "business class" I was looking at reasonably priced alternatives for this trip. I've ended up booking Air Asia 'premium" to KUL with a nice overnight stop for some of the great KL shopping and then MH J to DEL and return. Price was quite good for what will be lie flat or semi lie flat all the way.

Cheers

Timmi

 

[SeatBackForward]

I just booked a trip from MEL-DEL for later this year. Last time I needed to travel to DEL for business we flew JQ up to BKK and then TG J to DEL. As I'm pretty much "over" JQ's hyped "business class" I was looking at reasonably priced alternatives for this trip. I've ended up booking Air Asia 'premium" to KUL with a nice overnight stop for some of the great KL shopping and then MH J to DEL and return. Price was quite good for what will be lie flat or semi lie flat all the way.

Cheers

Timmi

Didn't consider Emirates to BKK then to DEL?

 

[Timtammi]

As a small business owner the price was the decider. Emirates J was much more exxy and I think Air Asia premium will be better than EK Y although I haven't done it myself yet but DH says its pretty good for the price so we will see.

 

[SeatBackForward]

As a small business owner the price was the decider. Emirates J was much more exxy and I think Air Asia premium will be better than EK Y although I haven't done it myself yet but DH says its pretty good for the price so we will see.

Valid points..the 2am start out of MEL isn't too appealing either.

 

[markis10]

Valid points..the 2am start out of MEL isn't too appealing either.

Neither is the 3AM in BNE, shudder!

 

[Timtammi]

What 2am start? My flight D7215 to KL leaves MEL at 9.50am, quite civilised. The MH flight ex DEL leaves late (23.10) but that suits me as I can work the day and then leave to start the trip home.

 

[cmon0005]

As I'm pretty much "over" JQ's hyped "business class" I was looking at reasonably priced alternatives for this trip. I've ended up booking Air Asia 'premium" to KUL with a nice overnight stop for some of the great KL shopping and then MH J to DEL and return.

I'd much rather book QF Premium Economy to SIN or BKK at the same price as Air Asia "Premium" seats.

 

[Timtammi]

I will let you know what I think after I've done it. I've done QF Y+ lots of times and think its an excellent product but for an overnight flight would prefer a flat seat so we will see.

Cheers

Timmi

 

[SeatBackForward]

What 2am start? My flight D7215 to KL leaves MEL at 9.50am, quite civilised. The MH flight ex DEL leaves late (23.10) but that suits me as I can work the day and then leave to start the trip home.

Sorry I was getting confused, I thought Emirated flew from MEL to BKK leaving at some ungodly time of the morning.., but its actually SYD to BKK they fly.

 

[mel-world]

I just booked a trip from MEL-DEL for later this year. Last time I needed to travel to DEL for business we flew JQ up to BKK and then TG J to DEL. As I'm pretty much "over" JQ's hyped "business class" I was looking at reasonably priced alternatives for this trip. I've ended up booking Air Asia 'premium" to KUL with a nice overnight stop for some of the great KL shopping and then MH J to DEL and return. Price was quite good for what will be lie flat or semi lie flat all the way.

Cheers

Timmi

Hope you have some time for your stopover as you currently arrive at the LCC terminal in KUL (a hot box with few amenities) and then have to take the bus to town - 1 hour - or an expensive cab. There is an airport hotel but not close to shopping. Getting back to the main airport terminal for the MH flight is easier with the train from KL Sentral every 15 mins or so.

They are currently building a new terminal for Air Asia in KUL but it is someway off yet.

 

[Timtammi]

Yes I am familiar with the LCC. Last time I think I had to take a bus to KLIA before I could get the train but looks like you can get a shuttle to the train now and then on to sentral where we are staying at the Hilton overnight. KLIA Transit to LCCT
Plenty of time for shopping before having the catch the flight to DEL the next day.

 

[travelislife]

Sorry I was getting confused, I thought Emirated flew from MEL to BKK leaving at some ungodly time of the morning.., but its actually SYD to BKK they fly.

They fly out of MEL to KUL at an ungodly hour!

 

[cmon0005]

Interesting article:
Business Line : Industry & Economy / Logistics : Virgin to resume Mumbai-London daily flights

One goes out, one comes in.. Virgin Atlantic withdrew its London to Mumbai service a few years ago, but has announced from April will be relaunching it again, as of the growth opportunities to the area. Yet QF pull out....

 

[mannej]

Hope you have some time for your stopover as you currently arrive at the LCC terminal in KUL (a hot box with few amenities) and then have to take the bus to town - 1 hour - or an expensive cab. There is an airport hotel but not close to shopping. Getting back to the main airport terminal for the MH flight is easier with the train from KL Sentral every 15 mins or so.

They are currently building a new terminal for Air Asia in KUL but it is someway off yet.

Cab's are done by pre-purchased tickets paid for in the Arrivals hall. From memory a "Premium" cab is 102.1 MYR.

D7 also offer very cheap bus tickets (and pre-paid sims for that matter)

 

[cmon0005]

Only 4 more QF51/52 SIN-BOM flights left before the route officially ceases and no more QF metal going to the sub-continent.
Last flight will leave SIN on 3rd May.

I saw an article recently about the numbers of Tourists coming here (can't find the link) and it mentioned that India tourism numbers are on the rise, and actually account for a large number of visitors now.

I wonder if QF are doubting there decision? and are just continuing with it to save face?

 

[SeatBackForward]

Only 4 more QF51/52 SIN-BOM flights left before the route officially ceases and no more QF metal going to the sub-continent.
Last flight will leave SIN on 3rd May.

I saw an article recently about the numbers of Tourists coming here (can't find the link) and it mentioned that India tourism numbers are on the rise, and actually account for a large number of visitors now.

I wonder if QF are doubting there decision? and are just continuing with it to save face?

It really boggles the mind doesn't it. As trade and economic relationships with India are set to increase, what does Qantas do? *reduce* services.. India is going on some serious Airport building exercises, there is no reason why QF couldn't use a destination in India as a break point on journeys to Europe.

 

[cmon0005]

IIndia is going on some serious Airport building exercises, there is no reason why QF couldn't use a destination in India as a break point on journeys to Europe.

Mumbai's new domestic airport is quite good although its not fully finished. The new Intl part is still not finished yet, only problem with Mumbai airport is that it is very crowded and not enough space to park spare aircraft.

Delhi's new Intl airport is fantastic and definitely world class.

Not sure about Mumbai being a transit point for Europe as the airport is not that good even for normal flights let alone transit. The lounges inside are quite poor, no transit hotel, poor range of shops.

 

[docjames]

I feel this is incredibly short sighted by QF. Although my suspicion is that once the 788s arrive BOM or DEL might end up being served with an orange tail (due to IMO perceived "cheap seats only wanted" image of India within QF).


Any update on AI and serving MEL? It was announced with much fanfare but start date seems to have died completely (? permanently).