The Air Travel & Airports Discussion Thread

Centro-P · 12th September 2009, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

I'll be visiting India next month on the 19th for few weeks. Although there were quite a few options for me in terms of airlines, I chose the one with the shortest layovers, as I hate waiting by myself at the airports.

So I'll be taking Edmonton-Calgary (Air Canada), Calgary-Frankfurt (AC), Frankfurt-Delhi (Lufthansa). And the return trip is similar, except that the Frankfurt-Calgary leg will also be done by Lufthansa this time.

As I've never been to Frankfurt airport before, anything I need to watch out for? My layover there is just under 2 hours for both the journeys, which is just the way I like it.

Sam are you listening?

Dude how about Edmonton-Toronto(AC) and then Toronto-Brussels and Brussels-Delhi (both JET)? I went from Toronto-Brussels-Chennai (and back )and the trip was fantastic.The waiting time at Brussels airport is not even two hours. And the food and IFE is very good as well!

Sam Kapasi · 14th September 2009, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

But I'm stuck with BA, unless i want to change somewhere, which I don't.

It's no secret that BA stands for "Baggage Afterwards" lol

sanjayatarizona · 14th September 2009, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

It's no secret that BA stands for "Baggage Afterwards" lol

Sam is spot on here. I have a 100% strike rate with BA. 4 trips, Baggage delayed thrice and lost once.

Thad E Ginathom · 14th September 2009, 19:09

BA... about 20 flights, no lost or delayed luggage.

An article in yesterday's New Indian Express (and it isn't the first I've read) raises worry about safety issues on Air India.

bharanidharang · 26th September 2009, 16:38

Guys,

My parents are flying from Chennai to New Jersey in Dec'09 and returning sometime end of Jan'10. Both of them are around 60 years old. Which airlines should i be looking at. The cheapest seems to be Qatar. I do not want to compromise on comfort/safety if Qatar airways is not that great.

What do you guys suggest.

panky12345 · 27th September 2009, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

BA... about 20 flights, no lost or delayed luggage.

An article in yesterday's New Indian Express (and it isn't the first I've read) raises worry about safety issues on Air India.

Ever wondered almost 80% of the mishaps (or snags) involve AI planes

?

Sick people, sick food.. I HATE flying Air India.

kooldude · 27th September 2009, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bharanidharang

Guys,

My parents are flying from Chennai to New Jersey in Dec'09 and returning sometime end of Jan'10. Both of them are around 60 years old. Which airlines should i be looking at. The cheapest seems to be Qatar. I do not want to compromise on comfort/safety if Qatar airways is not that great.

What do you guys suggest.

I would suggest Continental because they fly direct to newark but for that you will have to take a connecting flight either to delhi or bombay.

bharanidharang · 28th September 2009, 12:10

thanks cooldude. Anybody experienced Emirates in this route ?

california_dude · 4th October 2009, 05:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by bharanidharang

Guys,

My parents are flying from Chennai to New Jersey in Dec'09 and returning sometime end of Jan'10. Both of them are around 60 years old. Which airlines should i be looking at. The cheapest seems to be Qatar. I do not want to compromise on comfort/safety if Qatar airways is not that great.

What do you guys suggest.

Jet is a good option . The layover is at brussels and its 2 hours .. staff is very good . My folks had no problem coming by jet.

amitoj · 4th October 2009, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

BA... about 20 flights, no lost or delayed luggage.

That is a bit comforting. I might be flying BA from Bangalore to Boston in a couple of weeks.
But.... were your flights direct or did you have to switch flights midway?

ajmat · 4th October 2009, 12:07

You need to switch at terminal 5 which is no bad thing. My main reason for flying BA. However, you got to pay to choose your seat nowadays!

jayguar · 4th October 2009, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by s3va

Anytime, I would opt for B.A..they are the best as compared to its peers...good service, efficient online systems, least number of baggage issues or even if your baggage doesnt come along with you, rest assured they get door delivered within 24hrs along with a small compensation (mostly only in the US, doesnt happen for your trips back to India)..and loads of free drinks

..
Air france - bad service
Luft - boring, service is kinda ok.
if you are ok with the other route, ie Pacific, then Singapore Airlines would be the best, good food, especially the Asian cuisine and the movies they have are the latest !!

I agree with you on the Singapore Airlines part. I just love their service. I agree with Luthansa to an extent but I do not agree with you on BA. Their in-flight service to non-white (especially Indians) is horrible even in first class.

Thad E Ginathom · 4th October 2009, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitoj

That is a bit comforting. I might be flying BA from Bangalore to Boston in a couple of weeks.
But.... were your flights direct or did you have to switch flights midway?

i fly BA because it is the only one to offer Chennai/Heathrow direct, and the others don't seem to offer any financial incentive for the nuisance and delay of a change. I don't fly very often (twice in the last 12 months is unusually often for me) but have generally found BA to be the cheapest.

prince_pervez · 4th October 2009, 14:54

I read in the papers today there was a scuffle between the pilots and the crew in mid air whilst flying Sharjah and Lucknow. God save us all. For all those in favour of the safest mode of transport, think again.

simply_sunny001 · 4th October 2009, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

BA... about 20 flights, no lost or delayed luggage.
An article in yesterday's New Indian Express (and it isn't the first I've read) raises worry about safety issues on Air India.

Quote:

Originally Posted by panky12345

Ever wondered almost 80% of the mishaps (or snags) involve AI planes

?

Sick people, sick food.. I HATE flying Air India.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

I read in the papers today there was a scuffle between the pilots and the crew in mid air whilst flying Sharjah and Lucknow. God save us all. For all those in favour of the safest mode of transport, think again.

you guys are scaring me now, seriously.

I am flying AirIndia on 14th from LHR to DEL and its my first time with AirIndia and i am very apprehensive about this flight.

Now i am cursing myself why i went for this very cheap ticket.

14th September 2009, 19:09	#79
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,472 Thanked: 30,165 Times	BA... about 20 flights, no lost or delayed luggage. An article in yesterday's New Indian Express (and it isn't the first I've read) raises worry about safety issues on Air India.
	() Thanks

26th September 2009, 16:38	#80
bharanidharang BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 410 Thanked: 262 Times	Guys, My parents are flying from Chennai to New Jersey in Dec'09 and returning sometime end of Jan'10. Both of them are around 60 years old. Which airlines should i be looking at. The cheapest seems to be Qatar. I do not want to compromise on comfort/safety if Qatar airways is not that great. What do you guys suggest.
	() Thanks

28th September 2009, 12:10	#83
bharanidharang BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 410 Thanked: 262 Times	thanks cooldude. Anybody experienced Emirates in this route ?
	() Thanks

4th October 2009, 12:07	#86
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,219 Thanked: 31,664 Times View My Garage	You need to switch at terminal 5 which is no bad thing. My main reason for flying BA. However, you got to pay to choose your seat nowadays!
	() Thanks

4th October 2009, 14:54	#89
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,211 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	I read in the papers today there was a scuffle between the pilots and the crew in mid air whilst flying Sharjah and Lucknow. God save us all. For all those in favour of the safest mode of transport, think again.
	() Thanks