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flight / air india feedback

Discussion in 'General Discussions - USA & Canada' started by khushipoise, Feb 3, 2010.

  1. khushipoise

    khushipoise Senior IL'ite

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    hi ,

    my mom is travelling from bombay to chicago- can anyone pls share some experiences about air india ?
    are thy good in terms of service? has anyone travelled with air india from india to USA?
    my mom is old so need good assistance and she is travelling alone for the first time .
    pls share your experiences as to which airlines are good in terms of service, food and overall also.
    it will really help me decide which one to book .
    looking foward to your responses.
    thanks a ton
     
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  2. tranquility

    tranquility Bronze IL'ite

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    Hi Khushi,

    Advantage with Air India is that the food is good and Indian. Also the airhostess would know hindi. So your mother would not have difficulty in flight. Only help she would require would be at the immigration at Chicago.I suggest you book a wheel chair for your mother. Since she is aged, it would be difficult for her to use the escalators at the airport during flight change etc. With wheel chair, they (Air India) give an assistant too. In terms of service, don't expect Air India to give service like Lufthansa or British Airways. But yes, since its Indian carrier, its more comfortable for us.
     
  3. gokusha

    gokusha IL Hall of Fame

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    Hi Khusie,

    Don't worry, i travelled twice in Air- India. Whole flight is full of parent age and old people mostly. So she should get good company surely in flight..

    If she knows Hindi or English, surely she can get good assist from crew itself...They will guide you well in all aspects, food was good.

    Finally i would say if parent travelling alone, need Indian food, need Indian people around for any help...mostly no transit then Air-India is best.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2010
  4. tashidelek2002

    tashidelek2002 IL Hall of Fame

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    I travelled several times from NYC to India on Air India. I also came back three years ago with wheel chair service...they were good and if you are in a wheelchair they zip you through customs etc. Tell her to have a soft carry-on so she can easily keep it in her lap in the wheelchair. As Tranquility mentioned, go for that. The huge advantage with Air India is if you have to transfer in Mumbai...they are the only carrier that has transfers without changing airports. Movies, food, etc are fine.
     
  5. pandusk

    pandusk Gold IL'ite

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    Hi Khushi,

    I have travelled from Bombay to Chicago by Air India, i t was good, you will find mostly Indians and she will definitely find a good company. You will definitely get Indian food. Most of the elderly people prefer Air India.

    Wishes to your mom.

    Regards,
    Pandu
     
  6. MrsV

    MrsV Bronze IL'ite

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    Air India food is excellent, so no worries there. The flight itself is usually uneventful, the occassional rude passenger who believes you should recline your seat, but I like the flight. Flight attendents are good too (sometimes).
    I have seen a lot of elderly people on it, if they use a wheel chair, usually they are the last to deplane and first to enter, but someone will be with them always. They usually do take good care of them, and I believe there will be someone to help her at the customs as well (not sure though) if she has language issues. She will be fine.
     
  7. khushipoise

    khushipoise Senior IL'ite

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    thank you so much for your responses
    i feel much more confident now,
    tranquility , gokusha - nice to hear from you again - how are you doing?
    mrs V - pandu , tashi - thanks for your suggestions
    my mom is fluent in english/hindi - so i guess no problems there.
    Was just wondering do they give you wheelchair assistance in case you do not have a medical problem ? My mom just has some knee problems so proboably wont be able to walk a lot , and yes - not confident with escalators :)
    is it better if the flight is non stop- like for parents?
    since thy skip the security check and transfers.--- only thing thy should be able to sit for a long strech...any suggestions?

    thanks again ,
     
  8. MrsV

    MrsV Bronze IL'ite

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    I would call the travel agency and inform them that your mom needs a wheelchair and inform them to specify this to the airline, so when she arrives and when she boards, it will be ready for her. I would not go on to say that it is a slight problem, but it is a long journey so she would definetly need assistance. Also, see if you can get an aisle seat, because it would be more convenient.
     
  9. tranquility

    tranquility Bronze IL'ite

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    Hi Usha !!

    Just saw u online and wanted to say a hi to you.. How are you? Iam better nowadays.. Will get active in Shasti Thread by end of Feb.. :) As of now, taking it easy.. Hows kiddo? Hope u are doing fine too... Will post you in Shasti thread sometime in mid Feb..

    Regards
    Jyoti
     
  10. tranquility

    tranquility Bronze IL'ite

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    Hi Khushi,

    The wheelchair option is not only for people with medical condition. Senior citizens can also avail this service. As far as long hours in flight is concerned, ask your mom to get up after every two hours and walk down the isle. While in flight ask her to shut the AC vent over her head since elderly people cannot tolerate so many hours of continuous AC overhead. And as suggested by Mrs. V., its better to take an isle seat. That way its easier to go to loo etc.. And since your mom knows english, its wonderful. No problems at immigration...
     

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