Bangalore Aviation had covered the launch of the Tata-Singapore Airlines joint venture, Vistara, on January 9, 2015. We reviewed the premium economy class at that time. I was looking for an opportunity to experience Vistara’s business class and it came on March 1, 2015. READ ONLINE: Review of Vistara premium economy class I was invited by Vistara to experience the …
Read More »Flight review: Etihad business class: Airbus A330-200: Abu Dhabi – Hyderabad
Following up on my flight review of Etihad Airways business class from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi on their A340-600, this review covers my return journey which includes the chauffeur drive service for premium class passengers and a series of very unfortunate delays, though it was not the fault of the airline. Etihad’s chauffeur drive service Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport …
Read More »Inflight review: Tata-SIA Vistara premium economy: A320: New Delhi – Mumbai
Today morning, I flew the inaugural flight of India’s newest full service airline, Vistara, the brand name for Tata-SIA Airlines, the joint venture between India’s most respected conglomerate the Tatas, and Singapore Airlines. Indira Gandhi international (DEL) to Chhatrapati Shivaji international (BOM). UK890. Depart 12:30 Arrive 14:45. All times local. Airbus A320-200. VT-TTB. Seat 7D. 09-January-2015. Check In – New …
Read More »Inflight review: Etihad Business Class: Airbus A340-600: Bangalore-Mumbai-Abu Dhabi
I had to make a short-notice business trip to Dubai in early November 2014. For the week I needed to travel, I found airfares on most carriers extremely high. This included the only non-stop airline between Bangalore and Dubai, Emirates. On shopping for better fares, I came across a good fare on the UAE’s other national carrier, Etihad which flies …
Read More »Inflight review: United Airlines 787-8: BusinessFirst: London to Houston, E175: First: Houston to DFW
Until very recently, I was under the impression that American flag carriers were lackluster airlines, with poor service and an even worse attitude, in short to be booked only as a last resort. Admittedly, United Airlines was the last carrier on my mind to get from London and Dallas. Never having flown United on a long haul flight I went …
Read More »In-flight review: Air France business class: A330-200: Bangalore Paris Mumbai
Until recently, like many others, I was under the opinion Air France was a stuffy airline, an uncaring crew, and one I was not likely to fly any time soon. Recently, I was a guest of Air France to attend the launch of their new “Best and Beyond” campaign in Paris, and had the opportunity to fly the airline in …
Read More »Airport lounge report: Iberia Dali business class lounge: Madrid Barajas Terminal 4
During my trip from Barcelona to Lisbon via Madrid (read trip report here), I had intentionally chosen a long layover at Barajas airport as I wanted to both see the famous wavy ceilings which created quite a ripple (yes, the pun is intentional) when the airport opened in 2006, and I also wanted to explore the Iberia lounge at its …
Read More »Flight review: Iberia domestic business class: A320: Barcelona Madrid Lisbon
Last week, I reviewed Iberia’s domestic Business Lounge in Barcelona. Today, I focus on my first flight with Iberia from Barcelona to Lisbon, via Madrid. This was also my first flight in business class. Barcelona El Prat – Madrid Barajas Flight IB2713. Airbus A320. Seat 5F. Business Class Departure – 18:50, on-time For intra-Europe and many north African flight, most …
Read More »Lounge review: Iberia domestic lounge: Barcelona El Prat airport
Flying Iberia was supposed to be a flight of many firsts for me so when I was given an option between Vueling and Iberia, I chose Iberia gleefully to be my 32nd airline. This was part of my recent trip to Barcelona and an open jaw return from Lisbon, on Emirates. I have made some observations about Emirates and it’s …
Read More »In-flight review: Air Canada Executive First: Boeing 777-300ER and 767: Frankfurt to Toronto & Ottawa to London
On a recent trip from Bangalore to Dallas-Fort Worth via Frankfurt I flew Air Canada international for the first time in my life. The first trip was from Frankfurt to Toronto Pearson on their Boeing 777-300ER and thanks to mother nature, and two very efficient and caring customer service executives at United and Air Canada in Boston, from Ottawa to …
Read More »Trip Report: United Airlines economy class Newark-Miami and return
Back in late January, I had to do a weekend turn to Miami. Because I am currently shooting towards Star Alliance Gold (9,000 miles away) in advance of my travels this summer, I decided to book on United Economy. (Un)Fortunately, my mother was traveling with me, so I had to stick to the nonstop United between Newark – Miami – …
Read More »Flight review: Air India: economy class: Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Bangalore to Delhi
I looked forward to my first Dreamliner flight with considerable excitement, and with some trepidation, since I gave up flying Air India in 1997. Made the booking via the Expedia website. An okay experience, but given a choice, I would make the booking directly on Air India website. Air India AI505. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANI October 24, 2012 (Dussera Day). …
Read More »In-flight review: Lufthansa new Business Class: Boeing 747-8i and Airbus A330-300: Mumbai Munich
Following an excellent trip in India, I started off on my return flight to the US. I got to Mumbai Airport around 22:20 (10:20pm) for my flight to Munich at 01:07. Mumbai airport – A series of bottlenecks Right now Mumbai Airport is in a bit of a transition phase as they construct the new integrated terminal so I suppose …
Read More »Trip Report: Lufthansa economy class Newark – Frankfurt – Bangalore
Vinay’s Trip to India Review Index Part I – Lufthansa in Economy on Newark – Frankfurt – Bangalore Part II – Lufthansa in Business on Mumbai – Munich Part III – Air India in Economy on Bangalore – Mumbai Part IV – United in Business on Munich – Newark Part V – Lufthansa Business Lounge in Newark Part VI – …
Read More »In-flight review: Qatar Airways: A320 and 777: Bangalore-Doha-New York – the worst flight of my life
After hearing much about Qatar Airways (QR), it’s 5 star Skytraxx ranking, and its best economy class, I decided to fly the airline on a trip, along with my son, from Bangalore to the United States and return. Outbound (Bangalore-Doha-New York JFK) I should have realised that this trip was jinxed when I received an e-mail from the airline on …
Read More »Review: Menzies Aviation erodes Lufthansa’s passenger service quality at London Heathrow
In December last year I was a guest of Lufthansa and Fraport for a visit to the Frankfurt airport and Lufthansa world headquarters. Having travelled from Bangalore till Frankfurt, I decided to visit family in London after the visit, and would return via Munich to Delhi. Throughout the trip the on-board service was excellent in both business class (between India …
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