Skywatch Friday- Sunrise at 35 Thousand Feet

Sunrise at 35 Thousand Feet, Picture Clicked by the Fellow Passenger at the Next Seat

For more picture of the sky visit Skywatch Friday.

Images from Delhi Duty Free

Auto Rickshaws at Delhi Duty Free

Peacocks at the Delhi Duty Free

Different Shades of, Ahem, Camels

Camels Camels and more Camels

Never thought it is possible to make camels in so many shades but then you can trust the people of the desert to do that! And this is just onerack full at the Dubai Duty Free, I have so many more that I have to a slide show of it sometime in the future.

Night Landing at Dubai

Emirates Flight EK 18 from Manchester, Night Landing at Dubai

Dubai Duty Free- A Video

Dubai Duty Free, November 2009, Late at Night

I had a 4 hours layover at Dubai this time on the Manchester-Dubai-Delhi flight. I must have clicked at least 400 photos at the duty free. 4 might have come well! But I still liked the video that I made there. On the other hand I made only 2 videos. Shows my preference for still photographs!

In 2002 I have spent a 23 hours 40 minutes layover at Dubai and just at the airport! The place felt very very familiar.

And that photo dispute has almost driven away the memories of this trip that usually linger for about a few weeks after return.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Geography Lessons in the Air

Maps from the Air

I never was quite fond of Geography in the school. It is only when I realized that you can score like math with maps I stared paying some attention. But never retained any interest. I find the maps from air much more interesting.

Sky Watch Friday- Sky from 35,000 Feet!

Sky at Thirty Five Thousand Feet

Clicked on a flight from Dubai to Manchester

For more pictures of the skies see the Skywatch page.

Almost Time to Head Back

Apls Alps from 35 Thousand Feet

It is almost time to head back now! I walked around a lot today. But could not go the Lake District. Today was the only day when it did not rain. But when it rained with some sun, there were rainbows. The pity is that they were quite fleeting and I could not click even one decent picture of it.

P.S. Using my colleagues laptop, I am still in Lancaster and the picture is from this trip.

Hopping Over!

Delhi-Dubai-Manchester

This time it is not a direct flight. I am hopping via Dubai and yet hardly any time there. Anyway you will find some pictures of the Dubai airport later. I have once spent 23 hours 40 minutes in transit at Dubai and yet did not venture out then! I wonder if they still give a transit tourist visa at the airport itself.

Announcements at IGI, New Delhi Airport

Last Call to Board a Flight

Has it ever happened to you that your name was called on the PA system because you were supposed to board your flight?

Never happended to me, though I always get curious as to why people are not at their boarding gates!

Flying from Delhi to Jabalpur and Back on Kingfisher Red Airline

Kingfisher Red Flight IT 4375 Approaching Jabalpur

I tried to get train tickets between New Delhi and Gondia (a station close to Kanha) but June being school holidays all the trains were running packed. Then my dad insisted, "fFly, why do you wish to spend so much time on a train?" I was paying for the journey to Jabalpur/Gondia so I was obviously looking for train tickets. But flying and paying made hell lot of a sense because I would otherwise never stay at such a place like Safari Lodge, Banjaar Tola simply because I am not their target market. But then I digress, let me go back to the flight from New Delhi to Jabalpur and back.

When I booked the flight the departure time from Delhi was 7.30 am or thereabout. But while I was checking my itinerary online, the time was changed to 10.40 am. And my flight (Kingfisher Red IT 4375 and IT 4376 when it comes back) finally took off at 11.30 am after spending a lot of time on the runway. I was in a good mood and didn't mind the delay at all.

Kingfisher and Jet Airways Planes Parked at New Delhi Airport

Once the flight took off, all was well. Kingfisher Red is actually the new name of Air Deccan. I know that Air Deccan had no refreshments on board so I was not sure if there were any on this flight. The flight was just about one and a half hour long so it was no big deal . But I was actually hungry and to my pleasant surprise they soon served snacks on the flight. It was cheese and potato burger, corn and chana chat and a sweet dish. After gobbling all this up I was quite content to read a book and look out and chat with a lady sitting next to me.

Soon the flight started to make its descent. I had made video of the take off from Delhi and I whipped out my camera and started to make a video (the video above in the post) again. There was a lot of turbulence but then I have flied in smaller crafts before (this flight used ATR Turboprop) in turbulent weather. So I kept making the video even though I was not feeling too well. If you have watched the video you would notice that it ends quite abruptly. It is because I realized I was quite nauseous and might need that air sickness bag after all. The lady next to me sensed that I was unwell and tried to make small talk. I told her I am finding it difficult to talk. And then I threw up all my snacks in that sickness bag!

That is how I arrived at Jabalpur and I am quite surprised that I can get sick in air too, I mean on hill roads I know it is going to be bad, so I take avomine. But this was a first. On my flight back, I was quite scared as I still had no avomine with me. I decided to sleep as much I could after all that is what I do when I take avomine. I was quite tense at landing but this time there was less turbulence and I managed fine.

But the landing at Jabalpur was the only part of the trip that was not good. Rest of the trip was wonderful.

Lazy Sunday Photo- An Ariel View of the Hindukush Mountains

An Ariel View of the Hindukush Mountains

I clicked this picture on 5 May 2009 from a window seat of the Flight VS 301 from New Delhi to London. See that is why I like taking window seats even in a flight. Many thought I would overgrow this habit and start looking for an aisle seat after a few years. I am glad to say that I still sulk when I get anything but the window seat.

Touch Down at Heathrow

Virgin Atlantic Flight VS 301 from New Delhi Landing at London Heathrow On May 5, 2009

I made this video from a window seat of the flight. It was a Tuesday (on Tuesday many Indians do not eat nonvegetarian food even if they eat it otherwise) and they had run out of vegetarian food and gave me something to eat quite later. Even then I had enjoyed my flight. On the return flight I did not get a window seat. But then I will write a proper post about the flight experience both ways.

Flying Over Hindukush Mountains

Flying Over Hindukush Mountains

Flying over the Hindukush Mountains is such a great feeling. Though this is the first time I managed to click pictures!

Lazy Sunday Video- Gaitore Ki Chhatariyan, Jaipur

Gaitore Ki Chhatariyan, Jaipur, Rajasthan

In all my previous visits to Jaipur I never heard of Gaitore Ki Chhatariyan. It is a beautiful structure, our auto driver said it is popular with tourists but when we went there in the afternoon we had it almost entirely to our self.

PS. No, I have not forgotten Mumbai but if people are willing to travel to India and Mumbai, I am willing to blog about travel.

Mishap on Jet Airways Flight: Aditya’s Parents' Question to Jet Airways and Aviation Authorities

Aditya Mohan: Aditya’s Parents' Question to Jet Airways and Aviation Authorities

I saw this said post today. I can understand the pain of the parents, they lost their 4.5 months old infant Aditya Mohan on a Jet Airways flight from Brussels to New Delhi. More from the blog-

Deceased: Aditya Mohan. Canadian Citizen and Person of Indian Origin. Age: Approx 4.5 months(DOB: 26 Jan 2008). Declared ‘Dead on Arrival’ by doctor from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on board the aircraft.

Cause of death as per autopsy: Asphyxiation due to chocking

Our baby died on board the aircraft on Jet Airways Flight229 (Brussels – Delhi). After the seat-belt signs had been turned on for descent of the flight into Delhi, my wife started feeding the baby. We were advised that this is normal procedure since feeding helps the baby relax during landing. While feeding, my wife realized that the baby had suddenly stopped sucking. We then buzzed for Cabin-crew and also removed seat-belts and rushed to their station. They looked at the baby and also decided to page passengers to see if there was a doctor on board. There was a doctor on board who came and looked at the baby but he did not look too hopeful.

Selling Cashewnuts on Indigo Flight!

Shrinidhi is quite irked to discover that Indigo Airlines sells 4 to 5 cashewnuts for Rs. 50.

Without any further delay, let me come to the point. Of so many items they sell on board, ‘flavored’ cashew nut seems to be the most popular and tasty one. They sell a small packet of cashewnut for Rs 50. When I saw the packet, I was hoping it will be at least 50 gms. Only after I got one in my hands I realized that it is just 20 gms-I ended up paying 50 Rs for just 4-5 cashewnuts.

So here is what he proposes-

Now, my proposition is that I can sell better quality cashew nut, for lesser price, in higher quantity than what Indigo currently does. While Indigo sells 20 gms for Rs 50, I propose to sell 25 gms for Rs 40.
...
Hello Indigo…Are you listening? I want to sell cashew nut on board your flights-please permit!

Cross Posted at Blohbharti.

Flying Jet Airways vs British Airways from IGI New Delhi to London Heathrow and Back

If you are planning to fly Jet Airways, please check out the log of the parents of Aditya Mohan, an infant who dies on a Brussels New Delhi Flight (added 13/08/2008).

London Heathrow from the Window of Flight 9W 121 from LHR to IGI New Delhi

This time when I went to UK in June 2008 our flight was with the Jet Airways. Last time I went to UK in October 2007 it was with British Airways. So, let me compare the flying experience from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi to London Heathrow with both Jet Airways and British Airways with India being my home country. The flight from Delhi to London takes 8 hours and all the flights that I took were more or less on time.

Time of Flight, Jet Airways vs BA (Delhi-London-Delhi)- Jet airways flights are more convenient if you are flying out of IGI New Delhi as it is around 2.15 pm in the afternoon vs. 1.00 am at night for British Airways. If you are like me and find it difficult to sleep on planes with Jet you reach London without missing a night's sleep as you reach London at 11.30 at night (summer, Indian time, 6.30 UK time). With BA as you fly out of IGI New Delhi at 1.00 am chances of enjoying either the in-flight entrainment or getting some sleep are low.

The return flight of Jet Airways is at 8.45 pm (British Time) from London Heathrow and arrives at 10.00 am (Indian Time) the next day, so you end up missing sleep and not enjoying in-flight entertainment with Jet. For BA one flight is at around 11.00 am (British Time) that arrives at IGI New Delhi smack in the middle of the night (India Time). Not sure which one is better for coming back.

I was lucky to get all the three seats to myself (so did my four colleagues) at the rear of the Jet Airways flight while coming back from London. So, I did get to lie down and thus attend office on Monday but I was dead tired.

Leg Space, Jet Airways vs BA (Delhi-London-Delhi)- I thought the leg space in the economy on Jet Airways was more rather than BA. But this is an impression (both mine and of my colleagues) and who knows by how much do actual measurements vary. Jet Airways planes are probably new and hence give the feeling of being better maintained than BA. But one has to wait and see how Jet fares as the planes become older.

In-flight Entertainment, Jet Airways vs BA (Delhi-London-Delhi)- Once again my vote goes to Jet Airways. It could be sheerly because I was awake in the afternoon during the IGI New Delhi and London Heathrow Leg and half asleep when I flew BA at night. I could explore Jet Airways entertainment and watched back to back movies, three in all, all Hindi. Managed to catch up with Arth (loosely translated- Essence), Jab (when) We Met and Teesri Manjil (Third Floor). I did watch movies on BA flight too but I was half asleep at that time. While coming back I tried watching Mugal-e-Azam (colored version) on Jet but could not resist the two empty seats next to me and tried to catch up on sleep. On BA return flight I had watched movies and completed two.

Food, Jet Airways vs BA (Delhi-London-Delhi)- Yes, once again I thought Jet Airways was better if you are looking for Indian food. Wine tasted similar on both the flights to my uncultured taste buds. Portions also seem to be same on both. But the flight attendant on BA was much more attentive than Jet Airways.

Check-in, Jet Airways vs BA (Delhi-London-Delhi)- I believe both were equally fast and polite but then I check in really early, when it is not crowded.

In-flight Service, Jet Airways vs BA (Delhi-London-Delhi)- I would say both have same training program! They train their crew to ignore passengers in the economy section. Jet Airways have trained them better than BA, to ignore that is, in my opinion.

I mean, I almost always ask for a second cup of coffee during a flight. And here is how it goes. The crew comes back to collect the empty cups. They will extend their hand to take the cup without giving you an eye contact (always happened on Jet, but not always on BA). The trick is to delay giving them the cup. Then they are forced to look up and I can ask for that second cup of coffee. I know they are rushed but I mean how much time does it take to give a glance to a passenger?

That way, I had a really attentive cabin crew on my London-New Delhi flight on BA. And that added to the experience. On BA they also routinely asked if you would like some more tea or coffee. Smart idea, doesn't cost much and people like me appreciate it a lot, particularly when you are tried and need that brew to open up your eyes properly. And we remember it too. I think BA has a better in-flight service.

Overall, if someone asks my opinion (both the time the tickets were booked by my employers/sponsors so I had no say in deciding the airlines) I would choose to fly Jet Airways because of the afternoon 2.15 flight out of New Delhi. That way, I am less tired when I arrive in a semi-familiar country with a long line at the immigration. But it would be really nice if Jet did not train their crew to ignore passengers in the economy. That brief split second eye contact helps.

Jet Airways- Making a Customer Run from Pillar to Post

Recently came across a post on Indiamike about Jet Airways making a customer run from pillar to post. They lost the luggage and then they are not responding through customer care. I thought I will do this small post about Jet Airways to say I understand. The entire thread about the Jet Airways not responding to the complain is here. Following is a short quote-

Let me preface this by saying that I consider myself a patient person. However, my patience is being tested by Jet Airways after they lost my luggage one week ago and have offered me virtually no assistance in recovering it. Their customer "service" is truly appalling!!!! Any advice on how I can get my luggage back??

Cross posted at Blogbharti.

Flying from Delhi to Bangalore with Air Sahara

Recently, I was in Bangalore for a short Holiday made possible due to the availability of low cost air tickets. I remember the time when air travel was too expensive for us and by train it took almost more than 40 hours to reach to Bangalore from Delhi. Short trips were just not possible then.

When we do air tickets, we solely go by the lowest price. For two and a half hour flight everything else can wait. This time we booked our tickets through Makemytrip.com. They got us Air Sahara round trip tickets for Rupees 7500 per person. I have traveled with Air Sahara before they tried to get a merger with Jet Airways (and failed). That experience was good (they had excellent meals back then) though the ticket cost was more than twice too. I was a bit apprehensive how it would be this time but all in all, it was not a bad trip.

The Check-in at Delhi: Nightmare is the word to describe it. I was dog tired, coming straight from work (after teaching 18 year olds!) and the Air Sahara counters were overflowing with people. And overflowing people mean chaos and frequent attempts to break the queue (we Indians just can’t stand in a queue!). Sesha and I stood in different lines, maximizing our chances that at least one line may move. Both moved at a snail’s pace and I asked at least three people (politely) not to break the queue (and got ugly glances in return but I can live with it). A few people (and one well dressed young girl, actually she started that unofficial line) tried directly to go to the back of the counter to bypass the queue but thankfully she (and everyone else) was told to join us mortals for the check-in. My line moved faster and Sesha got out of his. But when I handed the lady our tickets and photo identity cards, she started talking to her colleague and complained loudly about her supervisor not giving any attention to the legitimate demands and got out of her seat! Not very confidence inspiring but thankfully she handed our tickets to another person and I finally got the boarding passes.

We immediately attacked a snack bar and crashed in the waiting area, I reading a book (Silas Marner, still unfinished and I am reading O. Henry now) and Sesha chatting on the phone.

The Flight: I will forgive the lady who got up in quest of her supervisor because her coworker gave us exit row seats! My mood immediately improved. I also got instruction on how to open the door in case of an emergency.

The flight was uneventful (except for the fact that Sesha hates flying and always cribs inside a plane). I still love to watch the Delhi night lights during the take-offs and landings. The meal served was from Taj-SATS but it was a typical flight meal, pretty unappealing. Still, at the price of the ticket I paid for, it was a plus that they were serving a meal! The flight started late from Delhi and arrived late at Bangalore.

The Return Flight: I was traveling alone from Bangalore to Delhi as Sesha was coming later. And can you believe it? I got the exit row seat again. And next to me were a bunch of giggling, cackling teenage girls going to Delhi for some school competition (don’t know which school they studied in!) but thankfully they feel asleep halfway through the flight. The breakfast again was very average but the flight was on time.

On both the flights their cabin crew was polite and professional. On our return flight the flight captain was a lady but I could not catch her name on the announcement system properly. If Air Sahara manages to give me such good prices, I will have no problem flying with them again.