Nov 14, 2006 04:14 PM
3883 Views
I know that there are many fans for Air Deccan and also there are many who would argue that they have improved. I have recently fallen for such reviews and first time in my life, booked a return ticket (Bangalore – Cochin) to attend a colleague’s marriage. When I booked the ticket the difference between AD and Kingfisher was about INR 2000/- (AD being 2500 and KF 4500). I should admit throughout the one month period between my booking and the travel I was tempted to cancel and book in Kingfisher, but the greed of saving 2000 and all the reviews about ‘improvements in AD has won over my temptation. Couple of days before the trip I have received a call and an SMS intimating me that the flight (DN 219) has been changed to 5.30 hrs, when I booked the ticket it was at 6.00 hrs. I was delighted to hear this and the service of informing the change. On the travel day (13th November 2006) I reached the airport at 4.15 and the AD flight was rescheduled for 14.30 hrs without any information (mind you I had to get up at 2.45 to be at the airport in time). Promptly at around 4.35 I have received an SMS intimating the 10 hours delay in the flight. The Kingfisher was full by that time and the only available flight was Jet at 10.15 (for INR 6500). The AD staff were not very helpful, and they have no alternatives (the MD of Air Deccan has said in a newspaper advert that they will give you alternatives was all to misdirect the public). The result of all this was I have missed the marriage (I reach there while the bride and groom were leaving), and suffered mental agony and tension all the way from Bangalore to Guruvayoor. For me this was my first and last booking in Air Deccan. The return flight, I have cancelled and travelled in Jet and reached Bangalore by 20.30, whereas, I hear from someone that the Air Deccan arrived well close to midnight that day. At least I was happy with decision to change my return flight also, thankfully for a better sleep. In summary Air Deccan should not be booked, if you
1 are in business trips
2 have important commitments
3 consider time is money
4 are travelling with children and senior citizens
- are on a holiday trip (unless you enjoy tension on holidays
6 are taking evening flights (where are you going to find accommodation and transport at midnight?
All others could fly AD as it offers “cheap flights and wow” and all that. To me the slogan of Air Deccan was pay earlier, pay less and never fly.
A positive: Though there was reluctance to cancel with full refund on my return flight the money was reimbursed to my credit card account the same day.
