Air India, worth it?
 

I found a great fare to Paris on Air India, almost $200 less than any other airline, and I need 4 tickets, so I'm looking at saving $700 total.

Anyway, I did a search on Air India and found 2 common complaints, one, that the seats were small (couldn't be any smaller than our seats on Swiss Air, they were ridiculous, and we're thin people!), the other was that the plane was packed. Again, has anyone been on a flight in the past 2 years that WASN'T packed? Especially in Spring.

Just looking for some feedback. In other words, has anyone been on a transcontinental flight that wasn't packed or had really large comfortable seats without flying in Business or First?

I flew Air India in 1980 and vowed never to do it again. But that was a very long time ago, and for that kind of savings I would probably give it another chance.

In terms of commfort, it's probably no better or no worse than any other airline. And yes, just about every transcontinental flight I've ever taken was packed and not too comfy. Once in a blue moon I'll get lucky and get a half-empty plane, but that's rare.

Sorry for the "mm" in comfort.... :-[

My husband has flown on Air India twice in the past couple of years. Both were last minute trips from Los Angeles to Germany. We chose these flights because we were booking less than 14 days in advance and the fares were very reasonable - less than half of the fares on other airlines.

His major complaints were that the planes were older and kind of shabby. One leg of his outgoing flight was delayed several hours for equipment problems. He also said that the food was terrible. As you note, these complaints could apply to any major airline.

His last flight on AI was to Germany to catch a World Cup semi-final match. He was so happy to be going, nothing would have bothered him on that flight. :)

Thanks. I'm wondering if the other airlines ever lower their prices to match AI's but it doesn't sound like that's the case.

FYI, the flight is $502 total non-stop from JFK to Paris in mid April.

I flew Air India in 2002, ORD to LHR and back again. I don't think it was bad for an overseas flight. It was packed both ways.

I liked the food - it's Indian - although the little snack thingys were disgusting. On the way back, I gave the package to someone sitting close to me and he was happy to have it! I think you have to grow up eating it. I kept the yogurt for breakfast.

On the way to London, they played a Bollywood movie and I LOVED it! On the way back they played some dippy US movie, yuck.

Over all, I say go for it. It's all a crap-shoot anyway. There are always flights were stuff goes wrong and flights were everything goes almost all right.

If you are flying in Economy, the standard pitch is 31 to 32 inches, which isn't much. According to www.airlinequality.com, the biggest complaint about Air India was the fact that people had been flying for a long distance and some had a body odor. Again, that isn't my complaint, but what I saw on www.airlinequality.com

I think it is totally worth it.

I flew Air India in March 2000(Delhi) and in December 2005 (Bombay).

I liked the food and found the seats to be pretty much your standard plane seat size. Yes, the plane was crowded but as you said, most are.

I flew Air India from Newark to CDG in 2005 and was pleased, for the price. Yes the plane was old, but I think the leg room is a bit more in the older planes. I was comfortable, and I like the food. On the way back, when the flight is coming from India and laying over in CDG, the crew seemed exhausted.

Everything was clean and I smelled no body odor.

This Thanksgiving week we are taking the same flight to Paris on Air India, because we got a great deal through Expedia with a flight and hotel package. Here is a question, however. We are leaving on the Tuesday before Thanksgiviing and returning the Monday after. Does that holiday affect Indian traveling habits? In other words, could I expect a more empty cabin since we are flying during the off season? I can't believe people would be flying to or from India on account of Thanksgiving.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Bazonia, well, you already are booked on the Air India flight. It would not change anything if the flight will end up being full or not.

Dear Francophile,

Oh, I know. I just like to think ahead about travel. I have noticed I have that in common with a lot of Fodorites, so I thought this would be the perfect place to inquire.

It's a quirk, but a harmless one.
Baz