[SmartCat]

Mod note: Posts on RJ's untimely death have been moved to a new thread
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...sses-away.html (Billionaire stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala passes away)

[volkman10]

Akasa Air has received its 20th aircraft, a Boeing B737-800, becoming the first Indian carrier to induct one.

[libranof1987]

OT but somewhat related. Reading the last line (Akasa flying internationally) made me wonder if there were recent changes to the regulations in India regarding airlines being allowed to fly international. Turns out, there was an amendment in 2022.

Per the earlier 5/20 rule, airlines needed to have been operational for five years, and have 20 aircrafts in its fleet before they could fly on foreign routes. DGCA amended the rule in Apr '22 to 0/20, removing the restriction on minimum years of operations.

So, inducting the 20th aircraft allows Akasa to fly international.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/91054676.cms

[ghodlur]

I am scheduled to fly Akasa this weekend to Pune from Bangalore and also in the return leg, my first flights with Akasa. Would like to know about the punctuality, Seat allocation during web check in, boarding process, whether In flight meals are a part of ticket etc.

If anyone has recently travelled on this sector, do share the experiences.

[noopster]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

I am scheduled to fly Akasa this weekend to Pune from Bangalore and also in the return leg, my first flights with Akasa. Would like to know about the punctuality, Seat allocation during web check in, boarding process, whether In flight meals are a part of ticket etc.

If anyone has recently travelled on this sector, do share the experiences.

I flew Pune-Bangalore by Akasa a couple of months ago and it was actually quite decent. There were some minor irritants like the crew not knowing how to time the food service properly but am sure those were one-off things that would be sorted by now. Aircraft was clean, seats were reasonably spacious and it was on time.

Am flying again early next week, will keep you posted!

[lamborghini]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

I am scheduled to fly Akasa this weekend to Pune from Bangalore and also in the return leg, my first flights with Akasa. Would like to know about the punctuality, Seat allocation during web check in, boarding process, whether In flight meals are a part of ticket etc.

If anyone has recently travelled on this sector, do share the experiences.

Meals : It depends on your ticket category - just like Indigo has saver, flexi, etc.

Since it is a somewhat longer flight, for the seats - do check if the first 3 rows have the 2+2 seating option - at 1250/1750 (not exactly sure as it's been a while) it's worth it for longer flights : a business class seat for less than premium economy price!
However not all Akasa flights have the 2+2 in first 3 rows, with some aircraft being 3+3 throughout and in these flights the legroom is average. Think Vistara economy (Indigo seems that much more spacious).

Punctuality: Honestly it's been a hit or a miss. The flights have been more or less on time (+/- 10 min), since they have limited flights - the turnaround time is a little shorter and boarding may take place closer to gate closure (instead of starting 45 min before, may start 25-30min before take off) so it is a little more rushed but not an issue and generally done zone wise / seat wise as has become the norm.

[A350XWB]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Akasa Air has received its 20th aircraft, a Boeing B737-800, becoming the first Indian carrier to induct one.

I don't understand this bit. First Indian carrier to induct a 737-800? The old Jet Airways, Air India Express etc. used or uses them. Am I missing something here?

[Stratos]

Originally Posted by A350XWB

I don't understand this bit. First Indian carrier to induct a 737-800? The old Jet Airways, Air India Express etc. used or uses them. Am I missing something here?

I think they meant B737-8-200 (which is really a 200-seater 737Max8).

[A350XWB]

Originally Posted by Stratos

I think they meant B737-8-200 (which is really a 200-seater 737Max8).

Understood (737 MAX 200). It was not evident in the original post. So, they are really going the Ultra Low Cost route

[sandeepmdas]

Akasa does not have any 737-800. It was the first Indian carrier to induct the 737 Max 8. The latest one (20th aircraft) is a Max 200. A bit confusing because Boeing decided to omit the 8.

The 200 is easily identifiable as it sports the unique scimitar winglet of the Max 8 and two emergency exits.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas

It was the first Indian carrier to induct the 737 Max 8.

No, it wasn't. Akasa is the third Indian airline to induct the 737 MAX 8.

Jet Airways was the first, when they inducted their first 737 MAX 8 VT-JXA in June 2018. Spicejet was the second when they inducted their first 737 MAX 8 VT-MAX "King Chilli" in September 2018.



However, Akasa is the first Indian carrier(and the first in Asia) to induct the high density 737 MAX 8 200.

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas

A bit confusing because Boeing decided to omit the 8.

The text on Akasa's first 737 MAX 8 200 nose says 737-8-200


so, does Allegiant Air's 737 MAX 8 200(artwork)

[sandeepmdas]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

No, it wasn't. Akasa is the third Indian airline to induct the 737 MAX 8.

Not only that, almost all the plane info that I provided in my late-night post was just plain wrong. Guys, please ignore it.

[fhdowntheline]

It is for obvious reasons that Akasa is not emphasizing the use of the word "Max" on their B737s. But the Max are the only B737s being built, the earlier -600/700/800/900 are NG variants. The Max's are designated 737 Max-7/8/9/10 (hopefully).

[ghodlur]

Got the taste of how pathetic a new airline can be.

For my flight tomorrow with Akasa from BLR to PNQ, I tried to web web check in through the Akasa app and was surprised to see all the seats available for allocation were either occupied or were on chargeable basis. I wasn't able to choose the Auto seat assignment option either since the web check in repeatedly failed for reasons best known to Akasa. Tried calling their customer support no however inspite on being on line for 35 mins, the call wasn't connected to any CC executive. This happened twice.

I could opt for auto seat assignment through the website but will be twidling thumbs till I get the message from Akasa which would come only 6 hrs before flight departure.

Akasa has started celebrating too early I guess inspite of so many shortcomings.

[ABHI_1512]

Okay, so the already floundering airline has hit into rough weather. A major chunk of pilots have resigned and the airline has apparently cancelled 700 flights in the month of August and the same number in September as well. The airline is on the verge of shutting down going by what the news report says !!

The news link for further read:

https://www.businesstoday.in/industr...010-2023-09-20