My Horrible Experience with Air India's Vande Bharat Mission

My Horrible Experience with Air India's Vande Bharat Mission

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Arrival at Kochi Airport
3. Confusion at the Terminals
4. Journey from Kochi to Delhi
5. Shuttle Flight from Delhi to Bangalore
6. Landing in Bangalore
7. Difficulties Traveling with Infants
8. Self-Declaration Forms
9. In-flight Snacks
10. Arrival at Delhi Airport
11. Transfer and Walk to the Gate
12. Experience on the Flight to San Francisco
13. Difficulty in Booking Tickets
14. Packed Flight and Social Distancing
15. Lack of Bassinet and Separated Seats
16. Air India's Snack Packs
17. Cabin Crew and Customer Service
18. Poor Condition of Seats and Facilities
19. No Help with Infants
20. Lack of Warm Water
21. Final Thoughts and Alternate Airlines
22. Return Journey with Alaska Airlines

Arrival at Kochi Airport

Upon arrival at Kochi airport, we were directed to the international terminal, only to be told that our flight is actually from the domestic terminal. With our luggage and two babies in tow, we made our way to the domestic terminal. The humid weather and masks made the walk to the international terminal quite uncomfortable.

Confusion at the Terminals

The confusion continued as we reached the domestic terminal, only to be informed that our flight is from the international terminal. We had to make our way back, carrying all our luggage and managing two infants. This back and forth between terminals added to the stress and exhaustion of traveling.

Journey from Kochi to Delhi

After the terminal confusion, we finally boarded our flight from Kochi to Delhi. The flight itself went smoothly, and we were relieved to have made it on time. We were initially under the impression that the flight was a domestic one, but later learned that it was a shuttle flight from Delhi to Kochi, Bangalore, and back to Delhi.

Shuttle Flight from Delhi to Bangalore

At Delhi airport, we embarked on the Second leg of our journey, a shuttle flight to Bangalore. The landing was a bit rough, but nothing we couldn't handle. Traveling with infants in India proved to be challenging, as there were no infant seatbelts provided. This added to our worries and made the journey more uncomfortable.

Landing in Bangalore

As we landed in Bangalore, we were relieved that we were one step closer to our destination. The flight had taken its toll on us, but we were determined to make it through. We gathered our belongings and prepared for the next leg of our journey.

Difficulties Traveling with Infants

Traveling with infants is Never easy, and our experience proved to be no exception. From the lack of infant seatbelts to the challenges of keeping them calm during the flight, we faced numerous obstacles along the way. India's lack of provision for infant seatbelts was disappointing and added an additional layer of stress to our journey.

Self-Declaration Forms

Throughout our journey, we were required to fill out self-declaration forms to ensure compliance with health and safety measures. These forms were handed to us at different stages of our journey, and we had to complete them accurately and truthfully. Although the process was straightforward, it added to the paperwork and made the journey more cumbersome.

In-flight Snacks

On the flights, we were provided with snack packs that were less than satisfactory. The bread was dry and sauceless, making it unappetizing. The muffin was equally disappointing, and the overall quality of the snacks left much to be desired. It became evident that bringing food from outside would have been a better option.

Arrival at Delhi Airport

Upon arrival at Delhi airport, we went through the immigration process and quickly realized that transferring to our next flight would involve quite a walk. While the transfers were a bit tiring, we were relieved to see that most of the airport was open, including duty-free shops. However, the food court remained closed at the time of our visit.

Transfer and Walk to the Gate

As we made our way to the gate for our onward flight to San Francisco, we realized that the distance was greater than expected. The walk seemed never-ending, especially after the long flight from Kochi to Delhi. We hoped that the next leg of our journey would be more comfortable and less tiring.

Experience on the Flight to San Francisco

The flight from Delhi to San Francisco turned out to be a disappointing and uncomfortable experience. Despite the high expectations we had for a long-haul flight, the reality fell short. From the broken seats and tray tables to the lack of assistance with our infants, the overall service was far from satisfactory.

Difficulty in Booking Tickets

Booking tickets with Air India had been a challenging task for us. The limited availability of tickets and the high cost made it a frustrating experience. However, with the help of a travel agent, we were able to secure our tickets at a considerably higher price compared to other airlines.

Packed Flight and Social Distancing

Contrary to our expectation of social distancing on the flight, we found ourselves in a full-packed aircraft. The flight was crowded, with no empty middle seats as we had hoped. This lack of social distancing raised concerns about our safety and added to the discomfort of the journey.

Lack of Bassinet and Separated Seats

Despite requesting bassinets for our infants, we were disappointed to find that none were available. Moreover, we were assigned seats that were not even next to each other, resulting in further inconvenience and discomfort throughout the long flight.

Air India's Snack Packs

The snack packs provided by Air India were underwhelming. With no branded snacks and unappetizing options, the overall quality of the food served on the flight was disappointing. It became evident that bringing our own food would have been a better choice for a more enjoyable journey.

Cabin Crew and Customer Service

The service provided by the cabin crew left much to be desired. Their response to requests for warm water was inconsistent, and their level of assistance with infants was lacking. Moreover, the condition of the seats and facilities on the plane was poor, with broken trays and seats falling apart.

Poor Condition of Seats and Facilities

The deteriorating condition of the seats and facilities on the aircraft was evident throughout the flight. From falling tray tables to broken seats, it was clear that maintenance and Attention to Detail were lacking. These issues added to the overall discomfort and dissatisfaction of the passengers.

No Help with Infants

Traveling with infants can be a challenging experience, and it was disheartening to receive minimal assistance from the cabin crew. The lack of support and understanding for passengers with young children made the journey more stressful and demanding.

Lack of Warm Water

One of the basic necessities on a long-haul flight is warm water. However, our requests for warm water were met with confusion and inconsistency. While one cabin crew member mixed hot and cold water for us, another seemingly misunderstood our request and provided hot water instead.

Final Thoughts and Alternate Airlines

Based on our experience, we would not recommend flying with Air India in the future. The poor condition of the seats and facilities, lack of assistance with infants, and subpar service from the cabin crew were significant drawbacks. It is important to consider other airlines, such as Air France or KLM, which have recently resumed operations and have a better reputation for customer service.

Return Journey with Alaska Airlines

On our return journey, we flew with Alaska Airlines from San Francisco to Santa Ana. The service provided by Alaska Airlines was a breath of fresh air compared to our previous experience. The flight was comfortable, the service was excellent, and the overall experience was much more pleasant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our journey with Air India from Kochi to the USA was filled with challenges and disappointments. From the confusion at the terminals to the lack of assistance with infants, our experience highlighted the shortcomings of the airline. We would advise travelers to consider alternative airlines that prioritize customer service and have better conditions onboard.

Highlights

• Confusion and terminal mismanagement at Kochi airport.
• Challenges of traveling with infants and the lack of necessary facilities.
• Disappointing in-flight snack packs and the need for passengers to bring their own food.
• Poor condition of seats and facilities on the aircraft.
• Inconsistent service and lack of assistance from cabin crew.

FAQ

Q: Can I bring my own food on Air India flights? A: Yes, bringing your own food is advisable, as the quality of the in-flight snacks provided by Air India is lacking.

Q: Is there social distancing on Air India flights? A: Based on our experience, there was no social distancing on the flights, and the aircraft were packed.

Q: Are there infant seatbelts provided on Air India flights? A: Unfortunately, no. Air India does not provide infant seatbelts, making it challenging to travel with infants.

Q: Are there any other airlines You would recommend for a better travel experience? A: We found that Alaska Airlines provided a much more pleasant experience compared to Air India.

Q: What can I expect in terms of customer service on Air India flights? A: Based on our experience, the customer service provided by Air India was subpar, with minimal assistance and support for passengers.

Q: How was the condition of the seats and facilities on the Air India aircraft? A: The seats and facilities were in poor condition, with broken trays and seats falling apart.

Q: Is warm water readily available on Air India flights? A: Warm water may not be readily available, and requests for warm water may be met with confusion or inconsistency.