Please can you let me know which airline would you recommend - Indian Airlines or Sahara Airlines for both internal and international flights?

Many thanks.
K.

Generally speaking a strong piece of cardboard, a rubber band and a good tailwind are to be preferred to Air India (international) or Indian Air (domestic)…all kidding aside I personally would take Sahara over Air India/ India Air. The start ups generally have newer equipment and more importantly, usually have a better service attitude and on-time record.

The only thing that might make me change my mind on an international flight is if the Sahara flight required MORE than 1 change, and the layovers were long, and even then I still would think long and hard about it. A cheaper price on Air India would not sway me at all, even for a non-stop.

TOtally agree. Usually, Indian Airlines or Air India are my last choice of flights to take. For internal, there are lots of new airlines, the best being Kingfisher Airlines. The so-called budget are pretty good as well. I like SpiceJet. Its a no-frills airline, you can even book your seats online ahead of time.

Hi Cicerone,

Many thanks for your honest reply The flight would be from Trivandrum to Male so only a short flight. But I would also like to use Sahara Air on Delhi to Cochin route as they appear to be the only airline that flies direct from Delhi.

Do you have any suggestions for websites with cheap travel fare?

Many thanks.
K.

thanks Sharon,

Do you know if Kingfisher or SpiceJet fly from Delhi to Cochin direct and also do they fly to Male?

Cheers.

Note that Jet Airways has bought out Sahara Airlines and the latter is now known as Jetlite (http://www.jetlite.com).

In my view, currently Kingfisher is the best domestic airline in India followed closely by Jet Airways.

I’ve long reccco’d Kingfisher on this board, certainly the best in India and if they can expand internationally and keep up the service, will give Singapore Air and Emirates a real run for their money. Take a look at http://www.flykingfisher.com/. They don’t serve Male at this point. They fly to Cochin from Dehli, but via Mumbai.

I understand Jet Airways and KingFisher are among the best. While Air India and Indian Airlines have merged, a friend at the FAA advises I avoid them international (I have a lot of one stop choices out of DC, AA, DL, CO, LH, AF, KL, AZ, OS, but will likely go BA or VS since they offer premium economy). Qatar air also just started service via Doha, economy is expensive and I don't know if it's anything special.

My understanding is that Kingfisher has acquired Air Deccan?

Has anyone heard about Air India Express which flys 738s, Go Air A320s, Spicejet 738s, Paramount E175/95, or Indogo 320/321s?

My forthcoming three week trip will involve about six internal segments and may use one or more of the above depending upon what the group tour operator books.

Spicejet, Indigo and GoAir have been around for a while now.

Please can you let me know where I could book a flight from Trivandum to Male? I tried Sahara Airlines - www.jetlite.com - but there are no international flights available from this site!

The only place I found flights was lastminute.com - but my concern is if a booking made via lastminute.com would be valid in India??

I've also tried Indian Airlines but their website also haven't got any flights to Male listed but I understand from several website that there are daily flights to Male from Trivandrum - so where do I find it and book it from? Should I involve an agency based in India and if so, please suggest a reputable one.

Many thanks.

Try the sites www.cleartrip.com or alternately www.makemytrip.com ; you should be able to do your bookings there.

This may be late coming but I have flown Jet and Sahara and both were very good for internal flights .Efficient security and checkin , good in flight meals / service .I was surprised and happy after flying Mumbai - Delhi , Delhi- Goa and Goa - Mumbai