Would you travel Air India?

[Bell21]

I find it strange to be posting such a general question about a mainstream airline, but I'm going to fly my son on Air India (aeroplan points) home from Europe in July and I'm wondering what the 'community' thinks of the risk of flying with them?

I was actually meant to fly J in Air India last May but cancelled the trip for non-airline related reasons --- that was pre their airline disaster, but even then, I was reading about all the general choas on some of their flights (flights having to turn back for all kinds of unusual issues), and then the airline disaster happened, and then I think they had a plane(s) given non-conformance notices for flying without the proper certification.

I still think I'd take the risk, as in the scheme of risks (eg, driving a car), it's probably quite low, but it's the first time I've had any concern flying on a major airline.

 

[quick_dry]

I didn't mind the flight itself - but there is no way I would transit through Delhi unless there was no other option, and if you have to, make sure it is a short transit within 3 hrs.

The transit are begins to feel like a prison camp when people are kept there for 10 hrs+ - mostly plastic chairs, and a couple of lounge/laid back pool chairs.

Edit: to clarify, the transit situation isn't an AI problem, it was a hell for all - whether on AI, QF, ET, etc. AI was particularly bad at having staff tell you "someone will be here in 5 minutes to process... oh just 5 more minutes... just wait... just 5 more minutes..." and so on, for hours of 5 minute intervals

 

[ohmoomtang]

Never fly AI, but flew 9W (Jet Airways) before.

Overall, it is good, not the best and not the worse. Meal is mainly Indian, which is reasonable.

Passengers were OK at that time too, but that’s very long time ago.

For AI, I heard about unpleasant experiences a lot, if you are keen for only taking A->B then I think should be OK. Quality might be the same as United or a bit worse than that.

But if you are keen for comfortable then might go with other, for Star Alliance as many people mentioned, Thai is good one, and even I feel it is getting better post Covid.

 

[Bell21]

It looks like I may have an option to fly him on Etihad on points now, albeit there's clearly some downsides of that approach as well right now! (late July, so still some months ago)

 

[BjJames]

Probably a bit late now, and I am unable to respond to the OP's issue, but I think it would have been helpful to the OP to have feedback from people who have RECENT experience of flying with AI (saying when) and less opinions from people who are relying on hearsay, or their own dated experience -- and prejudices. More recent facts and objectivity, please. (Yes, I am considering a reward international flight on AI soon - so I'm interested in feedback about real recent experience - and will ignore most of the other comments in this thread)

 

[Quickstatus]

used Indian Railways (including sleeping berths)

Given the overcrowding on the trains, do you get people crowding the corridors of the sleeping berth carriages ?

 

[Mr H]

Given the overcrowding on the trains, do you get people crowding the corridors of the sleeping berth carriages ?

Every time I have traveled by long distance train in India I have had a reserved seat and never had any bother accessing it. I have not particularly noticed crowding on the trains. I think the days of people riding on the roofs and hanging off the windows have long gone.

 

[Gary T]

I’ve travelled with them from SYD/FCO a few times when they were serving FCO. Pretty ordinary but at the time a very reasonable price in B/C? Still waiting for my gin and tonic..