Air India can be cheap BUT

Bob_the_Saver

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/10035990/Air-India-pilot-left-hostesses-in-cockpit-while-he-slept-in-business-class.html

Mr_Wang

India is an acquired taste, but once you acquire that taste it leaves you wanting so much more.
I have travelled to just about every corner of the country and it is my favourite place in the world.

But on my first visit I left hating the place too. But once home I looked back and learned to love India. But I agree its not for everyone.

In regards to air travel they are an odd bunch, for instance, the two Mumbai terminals being an hour apart.
Or the time they found a bomb at Delhi, I was making my way up the ramp to departures and was told there was a car with a suspected bomb, so to enter through arrivals!

Or when I had a 9 hour delay because at Mumbai they wouldn't fuel the plane until cash was paid upfront. Passengers were literally grabbing the airline rep by the throat and slapping him silly. The guy had only come to tell us what was going on.

Another time I needed a flight out of Hyderabad, I was given a price and literally bargained the price, just as you would in a hotel. Within an hour I was in the air for about half the first asked price.

As for corruption I was once pulled for driving without insurance (like anyone in India has it) and when I pulled out my license I handed it over with 1000INR, was smiled at and waved on my way.

The point is, if you accept that India is impossibly illogical, and home to over a billion people all trying to make a living then you will find an amazing bunch of people - some of the friendliest in the world. And along with them you will discover quite possibly the most amazing, diverse country on the planet.

wookie66

Blindman - you really need to keep opinions like that to yourself and not post them here since it is quite offensive to generalise a whole country based on your one single trip

Hopefully the more intelligent people on this forum will take your comment with a pinch of salt

It is true that India is a country that grows on you and is a bit like marmite....but making silly statements like its (text removed by forum team) is very childish and shows some level of ignorance on your part

Anyway moving on to the original post yes AI are a much maligned airline and for good reason but one has to realise they are state owned, have massive debts and are continually being propped up by the government which all leads to apathy and some level of unprofessionalism on the part of their staff...+ I don't think they earn a good pay packet in comparison to other airlines e.g. JetAirlines so you pay peanuts you get ......

I personally would never fly AI having flown on it a number of occasions some ten years ago and prefer other airlines such as Jet Airways or Etihad or QatarAirways

One also has to remember India despite its high level of GDP and growing economy is still a third world country and safety standards should not be compared to those in more highly developed and western countries

However with all of these things part of the charm in India is the fact that rules are written, probably originating from the British during their rule, but no one pays heed to them.

The only thing anyone pays attention to is money which will open all sorts of doors to you if you have enough of it to hand out

But to anyone who has never visited India please dont believe all the negative comments and make an effort to find out for yourself and trust me if you go with an open mind and the right attitude it will reward you immensely

budgetflyer

I kind of agree with Blindman (and Mr Wang)

All these negatives were my first impression of the country, but they are like a magnet and draw you back time after time and you love it because those negatives not despite them

Doshwaster

India is certainly a country of extremes. Some of my worst travel experiences have been there (anything to do with Mumbai airport!) but I've also had some great times too with incredibly generous and friendly people and stunning scenery.

I can imagine that it is a shock to the first time visitor who has never been outside of the "Western World" before. Yes, there is a lot of dirt, poverty and corruption - but that's what a lot of the world is like. If you want a holiday will all modern conveniences then go elsewhere.

blindman

I researched before I went and expected (text removed by forum team), poverty and corruption.

Doesn't mean to say I accept it in any country.

blindman

Doshwaster wrote: »

India is certainly a country of extremes. Some stunning scenery.

Agreed

I can imagine that it is a shock to the first time visitor who has never been outside of the "Western World" before. Yes, there is a lot of dirt, poverty and corruption - but that's what a lot of the world is like. If you want a holiday will all modern conveniences then go elsewhere.

Out of the 40 countries I have visited I have been to several Non western world locations-China-Egypt, Israel, Georgia, Cuba,Thailand, Japan to name a few.

Never travel AI or with tours, always go Independantly. Stay in hotels to hostels.

I exepcted dirt,poverty and corruption. Doesn't mean to say I have to agree with it though.

wookie66

Blindman

I was going to post a reply responding to your last post but i can clearly see where you are coming from and won't bother getting into a playground spat with someone with limited understanding of third world countries and how they operate.

You're far better staying away from such countries and operate within your comfort zone in countries where everyone follows the rules and things are to your liking

One final thing to note: if you comment on something or have an opinion on something doesn't make them factually correct as you seem to imply.