Nov 13, 2006 04:11 PM
2754 Views
After have read n heard a lot over Air deccan (AD), I finally thought of sharing my experience on AD.
On my recent visit to India last month, I got an invitation from my uncle to visit him in Banglore for a weekend. Traveling all the way to Banglore from Mumbai by road/rail for around 18-20 hours was somehow out of question for me. I checked in the only other option Air travel. As such parctially each n every airlines flys b/w Mum-Blr and when I saw the fares I couldnt stop myself from Fainting (INR 8000-12000) for a Mum-Blr-Mum ticket. Spending such a huge chunk of money for a domestic travel was a worry especially when I pay around INR 6,000 for my Kwt-Mum-Kwt direct flight (On a low budget airline-Jazeera Airways). My wonderful experience on Jazeera made me change my opinion about low budget airlines.
So I decided to travel Air Deccan (INR 4050/- for Mum-Blr-Mum) and that too on an Airbus-320 Aircraft sounded intresting. My cousin got me the booking over thru their website around a week in advance (was done in hasselfree). writers on MS had warned me in advance through their reviews over ADbut somehow I was willing to go for AD as I was saving almost 60% over other airlines.
36 hours b4 the schdeule flight timing I got a sms informing me about a delay of 30 mins on my Flight which I think is quite routine even in case of other airlines. But somehow the views n opinions of others kept on bothering me that the flight might even get cancelled or reschedule even at the last minute. To my Surprise nothing of tht sort happened, I checked in for my flight just 90 minutes b4 the reschedule time and believe me a very smooth an hassle free check in, all they asked for was my PNR number and my photo Identity. The staff at the gates appeared to be behaving childish (they did lack maturity/confidence and further more lack of communication)
The gates opened up on time an we were asked to proceed 2 the aircraft. Well the desire for having a front row window seat always kept me running 2watrds the aircraft. After getting in and settling on my prefered seat I was relaxed. The aircraft was clean n tidy like a fresh flower (to my surprise). The Cabin Crew seem to be leats intrested in how you enter the aircraft n how you rush to grab the seat of your choice (they were in their own world of Gossip). Finally the aircraft was ready for take off On Time.Then came in the announcement asking us to keep the money ready incase we wanna enjoy the Not so delicious snacks (I normally avoid eating during flights) but being a late evening flight I wanted to fill up bt stomach by whetever available. The flight was quite smooth and reached Banglore on time and we had a safe landing.
The return Flight was more or less similar and over all was a pleasent experience.
This travel has made up my mind postive about the Low Budget Airlines. You might have to do some adjustments and compromise coz you are saving almost 50-60% compared to other airlines (after all comforts and luxury comes for a price).
Instead of critising and accusing AD for some of its drawbacks we should rather encourage it to perform better (AD has given an oppurtunity to a ordinary middle class man to fly freely in the sky).
I appreciate all the hard work done by Captain G R Gopinath and his team in building up AD.
Cheers
