Air India

BOM-DXB-BOM. Outbound flight on an A321 was on time. Only six channels on IFE and no headphones in seat-pocket. Meal (non-veg) was good both ways. Return flight delayed 3hrs. It was an A320 and IFE had same channels but there were headphones this time. Overall the aircraft and service is nice but the delays cause dissatisfaction. Flew AI just because the fares were much lower than other airlines.

DEL-IXU via Bhubaneshwar. Both flights were on time on a CRJ 700. Naturally comfort factor comes down to zero. No IFE and almost nil leg space. Seats are cramped and offer almost no push back. Meals were served well and decent keeping in mind that airlines in India are all trying to do away with the catering concept entirely. The ticket prices are quite stiff for this route and yet there is no business class on this aircraft. Its a small plane that can accommodate only 70 passengers. I have been flying Air India for a while but this experience will make me think before buying a ticket for another flight. When you are flying for 4 hours and paying a high price you certainly wish for a comfortable journey.

BKK-DEL. Only one food option. Seats almost do not recline entertainment screens are faulty flight info unavailable or not working no paper towels in WC. They did not distribute immigration forms onboard causing a delay later on during immigration formalities. A321 a wrong jet for a 5-hour flight.

LHR-DEL-BKK economy. I flew Air India for its generous 35kg baggage allowance. LHR-DEL 777 had tired seats with ironmongery sticking into my back but seats are spacious and many were unoccupied so plenty of room. Inflight entertainment - seat-back screens worked intermittently and the neighbouring seat had buttons missing from the controller. Choice of non-Indian movies very limited anyway. Plane held at the gate for about an hour after 21.30 scheduled departure and no attempt made to serve drinks. Drinks eventually served 2 hrs 40mins into the flight. No wine with the meal. Chicken curry was excessively greasy. Breakfast coming into DEL was also poor. Indian airports offer tediously repetitive security checks at different points and DEL-BKK was delayed 1 hr 20mins. After boarding we waited at the gate for another 40 mins whilst passengers from a delayed flight straggled on. The Airbus looked pretty tired but seats were more comfortable again not overly busy and service was somewhat better on this flight with water offered frequently. Drink service was limited again. Dinner was better quality than LHR and tasty but tiny portions were disappointing. They didn't seem to make up any time on this flight so although I'd allowed 3 hrs for my transfer to domestic in BKK I missed my connection. Timekeeping was consistently poor DEL is a series of queues cabin service was disinterested the planes are relatively new but shabby food and entertainment lacking - and the tickets are expensive.

YYZ-DEL-CCU in business class. Clean plane working seats with recline for sleeping (not flat bed) reasonable Indian food service and hospitable staff. Slept for 7 hrs and enjoyed the flight especially the early arrival in DEL. Fair selection of video considering almost all of their passengers onboard are Indian. Air India staff supported my transit in DEL in an efficient manner and customs was provided on arrival in CCU.

Delhi to Varanasi return. A321 superb flight. On time spacious seating efficient FA's delicious meal. Given that the plane was full and just 3 FA's serving I was impressed. Great experience overall.

ORD-FRA-BOM-MAA return. ORD-BOM sector on Boeing 777-300ER The aircraft was clean the seat backs almost had no cushioning. The food was good the cabin crew were friendly though they rarely smiled. The AVOD was a joke too many freeze ups. The 2 hour layover in FRA was almost necessary for stretching and walking around a little bit. BOM-ORD was about the same the only difference being the cabin crew were smiling a little more. BOM-MAA was a red-eye on an Airbus 319 but they still served a light dinner which was nice after a 3 hour layover in BOM. Ground staff in BOM and MAA were courteous despite the time of night at 1 am and 3 am respectively. The return MAA-BOM was an evening flight and the food was slightly better as it was a full dinner but had to circle over BOM for an hour following a runway intrusion. Overall not bad but I was left with the impression that everybody did just the minimum and did not want to go the extra mile.

GOA to BOM. On time departure and arrival clean aircraft with a light snack served during 50 mins flight. IFE was good . Great legroom on A321 and checked bags on the carousel by the time we reached the terminal gate.