Very unstressful, so it rocks. Review on Indigo Airlines

I've flown this airline twice return from Delhi to Mumbai. On one trip it went via Vadodara(why don't they call it Baroda?) and on the next via Jaipur. It was just about the cheapest trip I could find both ways(but I booked last-minute) and I did not at all mind the extra hour of time each stopover took.

I intend to take Indigo wherever possible, even if another airline has tickets up to Rs 300 cheaper.

The tickets were easily bought on the IndoGo website, which is clean and simple. You also get to choose your seat. Tickets on the airline's own website were a little cheaper than on any travel website I saw. The difference, however, was small - roughly Rs 50-70.

At check-in at both airports, I did not have to wait longer than a minute, because there were several counters open even when there was just a handful of passengers at that time(I reached 1-1/2 hours before departure). The check-in staff and the baggage scan people were helpful enough and very polite.

The buses from gate to aircraft were goodlooking, comfortable enough(low floor), smooth and quiet. The gate staff did not cram them overfull.

Internal traffic in Delhi airport is absolutely terrifying. It's as bad as on the roads outside. Still, the IndiGo drivers were saner than the rest, I think.

You enter the aircraft up a ramp, not up stairs. I liked that. Clearly, it makes things much less stressful for wheelchair-bound passengers, and it's all right for everyone else too.

The airhostesses are friendly, and they seem to really be relaxed enough behind the fixed smiles at entry. When the ordinary pre-flight instructions are made over the speakers, the airhostesses are identified by name. This is a decent personal touch.

The seats are spacious and somehow better suited to the Indian body size(i.e., shorter people) than the bog-standard airline seats, which kill me every time(I'm short). They are also medium-firm nd flattish rather than pulpy or oddly-slanted or lumpy, which makes them much more comfortable.

The interior decor is somehow restful. I tried to figure out what they did to make it so, but couldn't quite. It must be a combination of all the good things - brand-new aircraft, navy-blue and pale gray shades, comfy seats, un-antsy crew, reasonable leg space. Someone has put a great deal of thought into the ergonomics of the whole experience.

The flight left on time each time.(One was delayed an hour or two, but I was notified of the new departure time by SMS the day before, which was fine.) This was in early and late winter, when everyone else at Delhi airport was marooned. Well, perhaps it wasn't a misty morning - I don't recall.

The captains were chatty and infomative, and there was a woman captain on one flight - which I thoroughly appreciate. The cockpit door was left open at boarding and at the stopover, and one captain, full of pride in his brand-new and up-to-date plane, invited the passengers to ask him questions and view the cockpit(from outside the door, of course). He also told us what the plane was capable of - speed, altitude, etc., etc.

I liked all this relaxed, unfussy openness very much. These days flying is a paranoiac's vindication -

the passenger is made to feel unwanted and inconvenient and a downright threat at every stage.

The first touch-down I experienced, at Vadodara, was the smoothest I have ever had - on any airline. It was about as smooth at Mumbai(twice), Jaipur(once) and Delhi(twice). So I must put it down to good pilots assisted by excellent technology. It can't all be human skill.

They don't serve food on IndiGo, as with other low-cost carriers. Air Deccan sells a sandwich that comes in a cubical cardboard box(which is quite fascinating the first time around), but IndiGo only sells a couple of cookies, and peanuts, food-wise. There's also some sodas and juices, no great variety, but also no markup on MRP. This is all okay, but I really, really wish they would also sell tea and coffee.

However, the plus side of all this foodlessness is that the airhostesses don't have to bother about feeding the crowd, with all the mess and fuss that involves. I'm sure it is part of the reason for their general air of friendliness. Also, the cabin stays cleaner.

I think this all has an impact on the passengers - I heard no grouchy comments at any time on any of the flights, even at boarding time when on other flights people get their hackles up about seats and hand-baggage space. This is revolutionary! Indians - not being rude! Magic.

Before the end of each leg of the flight, passngers are asked to get their trash ready so the airhostesses can collect it - it's described roughly as'help us help you, and keep costs down too'. I like being responsible for my surroundings, and I like being able to help the airhostesses with this grubby bit of their work.

One problem, which I wrote down in the comments section of the response card each time, was that the cabin air was kept too dry. After a couple of hours in the aircraft, your skin gets all nasty and dry, and you generally feel ill-kept and not at your prime. If the planes are so new, their cabin air systems should be able to deal with some slight humidity. I think it would make a big difference.

So: if you can reconcile yourself to the giant carbon footprint of air travel, this is a good way to fly. I only wish international economy travel could be so straightforward and civilised.