Air India B777-300ER business class

Published: 27/04/2009 - Filed under: Tried & Tested » Airlines » Archive » 2009 » May 2009 » Tried & Tested » Tried & Tested » Tried & Tested » Airlines » Air India »

Print
Send

BACKGROUND Air India flies from Mumbai to London once a day. BA, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines also ply the route. My flight was one of Air India’s first to use the B777-300ER aircraft, the service having previously operated on a B747-400. The airline is introducing seven B777s by September with the aim of replacing the older aircraft on all westbound services by the end of the year.

CHECK-IN As my flight AI131 at 0220 was a connecting service from Chennai, I had already checked in my baggage. I had landed in Mumbai at 0010, almost an hour behind schedule but still allowing me plenty of time to catch my London flight. Scenes at security were chaotic and there was no fast-track route for business class, although Air India staff sped me through half of the lengthy queue and it took ten minutes to get through the rest.

THE LOUNGE Air India’s executive lounge was a few minutes’ walk from security. It was cool and decorated in traditional style. Bottles of mineral water were left on each table and drinks and snacks could be ordered. There was no wifi access.

BOARDING As there was no screen in the lounge announcing flights, I kept an eye on the one outside the room. The flight was due to board at 0135. By 0155 there had still been no announcement but I made my way to Gate 7 anyway, where a big queue had formed. Boarding began at 0210 and as there was no priority given to business passengers, I sat and waited for the queue to ease. I was on the plane at 0225 and was offered a juice, a hot towel and a newspaper.

THE SEAT This was a three-class B777. There was one four-seat row in first class, configured 1-2-1 (A, D-F, K), five rows in business in a 2-3-2 layout of 35 seats (A-C, D-E-F, H-K), and 303 economy seats over 37 rows arranged 3-3-3 (A-B-C, D-E-F, H-J-K). I was in window seat 8A, with the bulkhead in front. The seat was comfortable and upholstered in mustard-coloured fabric with leather arms and headrest. It could be adjusted in three ways – upright, recline and angled lie-flat. There was in-seat laptop power, and a large in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen was attached to the bulkhead (other rows had them in the seat in front) with a handset fitted into my left armrest. A privacy divider opened out like a fan between my seat and my neighbour’s, but as I had no one next to me I had no need for it.

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? The first two rows, eight and nine, are the quietest – ten and 12 are next to the galley and toilets and 14 is in front of economy, so you’re more likely to be disturbed. Row eight has more room in front, while nine has more storage space – there is room to stow your bag in front as well as small compartments built into the seat.

THE FLIGHT We pushed back at 0240 and were airborne ten minutes later. As well as a standard blanket and pillow, I was given a duvet and large pillow, which was very welcome. I also received socks, an eye mask and a Pierre Cardin amenity kit containing a hairbrush, sewing kit, mirror, toothbrush and paste, moisturiser, cologne, mouthwash and lip balm. The headphones were not great at cancelling out noise. A meal was brought shortly after take-off comprising two open sandwiches, samosas, a fruit salad, an apple cake and a drink. I asked for peppermint or jasmine tea, neither of which they had, so I settled for lemon tea and this was topped up twice without my having to ask – the service was thoughtful and attentive. The on-demand IFE system had a selection of films, TV shows and music. I couldn’t access the live map which was a shame as I wanted to plot our route. About an hour before landing breakfast was served. There was a choice of masala cheese omelette, an Indian vegetarian choice or eggs Florentine – I had the latter. It was tasty and came with a fruit salad, yogurt, pastries, fruit juice and tea or coffee.

ARRIVAL We landed at 0800, half an hour late, but couldn’t disembark until 0830. I was fast-tracked through immigration at Terminal 3 in five minutes and proceeded to the baggage hall, where the first bags didn’t appear for 15 minutes. Despite my case being priority tagged, it took another quarter of an hour for it to come out.

VERDICT An enjoyable flight with excellent service – a definite improvement on the seat on the B747.