My first flight out of India was on Air India in 1977, when they served food on China, with silverware, in economy. Also drinks in genuine glassware. Air India was one of the best in those days, and I hope the TATAs can restore it. They just placed a giga order for new jets on Boeing and Airbus.
The new Air India will Be 75 % owned by Tata and 25% owned by Singapore Airlines after the merger of Vistara. It will be the best airline in the world❤
@@rudraganesh Shareholding won't dramatically change things. The soft side of things, mainly people and management, need to change. Also customer as well, to restore clean conditions. Air India has a long long way to go.
@@gooner7768 it literally will. Have you looked up the new cabins that will be installed on all their 777s and 787s? The soft side may need help to change, but the hard product will be world class. I find it hard to imagine after all that investment creating a class leading hard product, they won't do anything to improve the soft product too.
This is honestly one of the best reviews on youtube. A good review based on good research. You mentioned about the TATA group, their history with Air India and also latest news updates such as their announcement to refurbish the interiors on their widebody aircraft, which shows that you have done good reearch and did not just upload a review for the sake of it . I especially liked the music, was very calming. The stats of each airport was also very nice to see.
Thanks very much. Yah for these AI and upcoming Vistara reviews- the entire purpose of the trip was to give better context to the trip reports (I presume) I will make in a few years about Air India once the merger is complete. Airlines are more than just airlines to me- and they often don’t get the historic contextual credit they deserve! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
My first ever flight was with Air India, January 1st 1974. It was a 747 and I was totally blown away. In those days we had multiple stops, a bit like a bus service! Our plane came to London from Canada then we flew to Paris, Kuwait, Delhi and then Bombay. I loved the take off and landing and got a lot of them on this flight. On the negative side, it turned a potentially 8 hour flight into a 12 hour flight and we couldn’t deplane along the way. Great video yet again Kevin.
We, as Indians, are critical about the critique on anything Indian. But, I have to say that this review, despite it being a critique, was one of the best reviews and shows exactly the areas where Air India as an airline can upgrade. Thank you Kevin for being perfectly objective and unbiased.
Your first sentence yes, I’ve learned quite well 😂 That’s why anytime I complain about something I do my best to actually show it as well. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I have always flown from EWR to either Mumbai and /or Delhi on United then transferred to Air India for all internal flights and found them to be more than satisfactory on these short-haul flights. As always, your in-flight reviews are spot-on, highly comprehensive to the smallest of details and contain an historical perspective. I enjoy all your videos as I find them highly informative and very entertaining so...please keep them coming. And before I forget...THANK YOU for getting rid of that "disclaimer" from a couple months back (much appreciated) ! As always, I'm looking forward to your next video wherever it may take you/us......
The best advise I have ever seen about starting on RUclips was, “if your early content is really great, then you waited to long to start posting…” I use the same mentality when changing parts of the video and dive in the deep end and pull back rather than do it the ‘normal’ way haha. It helps me settle on the ‘final’ format faster. In retrospect, yes, it was cringe- but, it is also what birthed the current format which I’m quite happy with. As always thanks for your feedback and for your support 🙏🏻
Happy to see you above 30K subscribers. My only business class flight to India was on an Aeroflot IL-62 from Moscow to Bombay in 1990. The only entertainment was simply being on one of the coolest looking planes that ever flew commercially. No flat seats then but still quite comfortable in their NJ 1970s orange fabric. I don't remember the meal as sadly no iphones to record them but do remember all was fine.
Is the IL-62 the one where you can board via stairs from under the tail? Around 2000 I flew from St. Petersburg to Moscow on a Soviet model that boarded through the rear and kind of passed through part of the cargo hold. Was just bizarre. Also, well before my trip reporting days lol.
During my PhD this was my go to flight CDG-DEL then transfer to Mumbai. It was hard to get because there were so few direct flights to India. It is good to know that Air India is buying modern aircraft and we can get direct services to India.
Oh I reckon you’ll see a massive amount of new service from CDG to primary cities and perhaps from ORY to secondary- same like they’ve announced for LHR/LGW. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Another great video & the history/background that you give is always welcome and shows the effort you have put in & makes the video more entertaining to watch than just a pure flight/seat review…the charts/graphics and info is all also great
Absolutely fascinated with this review, it feels like being in a time warp! Everything about their product, branding and service is so similar to when I handled them being ground crew at Schiphol AirPort…. The colour scheme, products and service seem to be the same! Will be so interesting to see you do a review in a year/two years and see how they are doing. From here, the only way is up! Thank you for the very interesting video with lots of historical background and info! 🙏🏼
BTW, so darn irritating, the thanks feature STILL doesn’t work! You can choose the amount, but when you click “buy and send” it doesn’t respond. Very sorry, I try but the system just doesn’t want to cooperate 🥴
Great video again Kevin and the Indian background play setting the mood - Having myself travelled on this service twice continuing to Sydney it never got any better than what you experienced although the amenity kit was more “upmarket” luckily they had a ridiculously inexpensive fare but wouldn’t fly them again
I like travel vlog channels and this channel is on a different level I believe. The vlogger actually has a vision. He chooses to not reveal his face(which takes guts and conviction to stay true to his vision of keeping videos fair and non-influenced). I also like the way he showcases things, does his research on the subject he is vlogging about and has a calm demeanour about everything he vlogs and talks about. Kudos. 👍🏽
Your commentary on your meal service made me laugh a little bit. It reminded me of the time when I was a child, I was visiting my aunt’s home, and my mom asked me how I liked the meal. My response was: “the mashed potatoes were the bestest“! That kind of sums up your meal aboard Air India, apparently! Thanks for the honest comments.
Thanks for your fair review of Air-India which is still a work in progress. But from what is evident from avid air travelers like you who are also content creators on RUclips l am confident that this airline now in the hands of new owners will be transformed with professionalism, hard work and dedication in the near future to compete with the top rated airlines in the world some of them operating from the Middle East, South East Asia and Europe as their hubs for international flights. As an Indian citizen I wish all the best for Air-India in performance and brand image as this carrier has the name of my beloved country on its livery and name. I appreciate your excellent commentary, inflight food reviews and clear videos which are a delight for me to watch. Keep on doing your good work.
If you buy new planes and repaint them. This does not mean that you will become a supercompany! Change the economic approach! Drive away all the old corrupt leadership! Retrain your staff! Eliminate rudeness and poor quality service! I fly frequently to India, Mumbai and Bangalore for work and always prefer other airlines. I avoid Air India. One flight was enough for me not to use the services of this airline in the future.
I was looking for Business Class review for AI CDG-DEL and you covered almost everything. I think your format is one of the best and this was the first video I watched. Instant subscribe. You redeemed them via which airmiles (I guess Star Alliance ones)? (Edit: Nevermind, read your description) Going through your videos and keep up the good work! Kudos! PS: Loved the dig at "sponsored RUclipsrs". I probably inferred the RUclipsr you are hinting at. Also, love that you don't show yourself so airlines have no way of identifying you and serving you better than other people. Adds to honest review part!
I'm underwhelmed by that experience. Flying Heathrow to Delhi, in a month's time, in Business, I would choose Finnair (via Helsinki), at HALF the cost of Air India's non-stop service. Tata's got a lot of work to do. Good review. Looking forward to the next bit.
They certainly do have a long way to go- but hard to not feel confident about what’ll come of it, especially with SQ’s name all over it. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Finnair is a good value to Asia in Business Class. Kinda an average product but solid for the price and definately better than AI's current. Also easy to to connect over HEL. I've flown them several times to India.
Bring an Indian myself I find this business class not fair at all ot the rice.theyve got a long way to go.thise Finnair seats r far better but service wise low
I remember Air India from their heyday. It was definitely a great experience at the time. The 747-200's looked very stunning - each window painted in the shape of what you see at an Indian palace. Inside, the aircraft was definitely comfortable. Nothing like today, but it was good ( the entertainment was a Bollywood movie, shown on a pull down screen in Super 8 quality). But I don't remember the aircraft looking worn out or dirty. At that time, domestic air travel in India was only operated by Indian Airlines - and mostly only a few trunk routes. I really hope, that the new Air India will be a world class airline again. India definitely has the potential, the management just needs to focus on the things that are really important. And they need to be a lot more consistent with their product. A major focus should be on crew training and customer service in general. I keep my hopes up...
This was such a treat to watch, the effective story telling coupled with your soothing voice and serene background music was just so refreshing. Thank you so much!
In all the previous AI business class reviews I’ve seen , it’s usually the food that is the only positive thing about it.. and I mean Indian food..it seems like the Paris to Delhi route has a different style of Cuisine…And you found out how different the hard way…thx for another enjoyable watch . 🙏
What I can never get over is how cold the service is with Air India - its as if their staff are somehow forced to work and really resent it. Maybe they chosse the completely wrong personality types. They are more akin to bureaucrats.
I'd recommend that Tata take a good hard look at their catering. Was hoping you'd mention the sleep comfort of the seat. As usual, I really enjoyed this review & your comprehensive reviewing style.
This is one area where I know for a fact that Tata knew very well what they were getting into since Tata has for a while been providing catering for Air India through Taj SATS. Considering Vistara’s catering comes from the same company (and Vistara’s food is incredible…), I reckon Air India will see better food very soon. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I just flew in from San Francisco to Bengaluru last wednesday by Air India business class. It was a newly leased plane ( from Delta) . Cant complain about the facilities, the food can be better.But have to tell the treatment of the crew were more than satisfactory within their constraints. In fact i was very happy.😊 Especially compared to Etihaad,Emirates and Oman Air where the cabin crew are more stiff dealing with Indians. The Air India flight i took from Delhi to San Francisco had the worn down plane but have to comment on the extreme hospitality of the crew in the business class
My father worked for air india as cabin crew for 40years, batch of 74. He was a law student from bangalore and his other batch mates were from doon and st stephens etc. All personally interviewed by JRD. It was the best transatlantic airline for 12 years in a row. I will never forget the class and quality of food and service. The maharaja will rise again.
Let's hope the only way is up! I've only flown Air India once when I was 4 back in the year dot. All I remember is the flight attendants in sarees handing out hard sweets to help with ear ache on take off :)
Hello Kevin. Another good travel video. From what I have heard the B787 is behind both the A380 and the B777 in passenger comfort which is why I hope to fly the latter two sometime either soon or in the near future. The quality of food on these transatlantic flights should be one of the bonuses to flying particular airlines as word of mouth is very informative at all times. Keep up the good work!
Not sure where you’ve heard that. Assuming they’re equipped with the same seats, 787s are light years ahead of 777s for passenger comfort in my opinion. The A380 and A350 do take the top spots though. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft Saw that review on a website I researched through Google when I posed the question of which B is the most comfortable to fly on. Google came back with a website indicating that the B777 is the preferred aircraft over the B787. Naturally, the A380 takes top spot but was not aware that the A350 was also in the ranking.
I have only flown Air India just twice in my life, that too in A320s. It was December 2015, probably the worst time the airline was going through. Well, the only consolation for me was I got to fly Asia's first A320, making it the second oldest active A320 at the time! The reputation now however seems to have improved a lot. From the most punctual airline to good soft product, the conglomerate has turned the tides for this airline overnight. Cannot wait to see your reviews of it's new A350s and subsequently the new cabins next year!
Loved the review like always.You do complete justice to a perfect review. By the way,whats the name of background music you used in this video?it was a good one
My first international travel experience was in Air India from DEL-ORD. PErsonall decided that should be my last trip on Air India. But hoping after the TATA takeover it gets better maybe must try later this year for a trip back on Air India. The video background music was very comforting and nice.
I am a recent subscriber but I absolutely love your editing skills man.I know its a small detail but the brief airport description during take-off and landing is pretty cool.I'd also like you to visit Pakistan some time in the near future because we've had some new airlines start up here since 2017,and also the Pakistan International Airlines is also a legacy carrier,which is currently struggling,unfortunately.
I hope tatas see such videos for unbiased opinion and free feedback. So all these pts are considered. Competition from other airlines is tough but having best Singapore airlines by tata side. They get to learn a lot and adopt best practices with clean slate rather improving existing..
I think the Tata group is the only such company in the world that is present in all sectors you can think of from Aerospace to Zinc manufacturing literally 😃
Flown on Air India a couple of times, and lucky for me, they were in first class. I took the mango flight from LHR to JFK. The flight originated in Delhi. The flight was amazing, I was sat right in the nose of a 747, best seat in the house. Inflight meal was western or India. The curry was the best I've ever had in my life. They kept my wine glass full for the whole flight, and I was glad of the chauffeur service to down town. Jetlag? What jetlag. Hiccup
I had flown Mumbai to London Heathrow, toured London for 7 days then London Heathrow to New York JFK and return from New York JFK to Mumbai via London and Delhi in 1998 on Air India Boeing 747- 400. The food and service was really great then.
Appreciate the comprehensive approach you take in these - it’s really useful! I’m kind of surprised you gave that 78/100 overall; I’d have given it way less from the looks of it! On the other hand I love the amenity kit pouch; would almost fly them just to get one 😂. Anyway thanks, and keep up the good work!
Keep in mind my scores (for flights or hotels) are always relative to the price I paid to keep the playing field fair. At 45k points, this is one of the better redemption values out there. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Actually Tata is more than what you have described. There is a saying in the business about Tata group, if there is any business or vertical, Tata would be there. They have businesses in Steel, Automobile, Defense, Airlines, insurance, software, chips and firmwire, chemicals, grids, power, solar, mining, hospitality, health, retail, e-commerce and everything and anything in between that comes to my mind from the top of the head.
Really lovely review. New livery if air India looks interesting and have no doubt with the excellent hubs like BOM and DEL they will eat into the far Euro to far east indirect market dominated by middle eastern carriers. It's funny, I'm in India now, been dozens of times and never flown AI Internationally. My friends here won't let me as they say it's awful (they probably remember the glory days!) but every British person I meet has flown AI here and loves it, especially the food! I guess that's understandable when Curry is our national dish!
I took the exact same trip from CDG to DEL in Apr'22, used my 30k miles from Turkish Miles&Smiles and GBP 110(gives you an option to book star alliance flights) they did not give lounge access at Paris which was very strange, the one big plus was I had the whole business cabin to myself. Ground staff was not friendly at all compared to the complete 180 degree change with the crew onboard. Clearly they have a lounge now but they need to work on their seat, colours in the cabin, amenities kit, ear phones, cutlery/glassware, linen and food which is nearly everything. Except for the warm friendly crew. Compared to others they must have wifi too onboard given most of their competitors in the middle east do.
Surely over the next couple of years every square inch of the aircraft's interior and amenity offerings will be brought up to standard. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Kevin if only my favorite airline which is currently on flip flop mode would start flying again. Surprised you didn't mention it or notice it. You had a great view of it before your flight reached the aerobridge in Delhi.
Surprisingly, I had the opposite experience in economy. I often fly JFK DEL, and the hospitality was mediocre, but the food was excellent. The condition of the aircraft was appalling, much worse than this, though it is an older 777-300ER that I fly.
Nicely done!. I am also happy that you didn't use the standard (and annoying) sitar / tabla background music that non-indian folks use for their indian videos :)
Air India is now increasing it capacity towards Customer satisfaction and they are refurbishing their aircraft and company like like sky rocket according to my speculation by the end of 2024 they'll achieve that and one thing I would like to mention that on the global aviation stage the TATA'S providing one of the lowest air fare so if you see the fare then their is no room left for complaining..because I once travel with Qatar airways and I got upgrade when I asked about that upgrade which I was provided I was shocked to know that was near 15k $ ...so kudos to TATA😍
As you have mentioned about the market cap, Tata Group companies market cap is 300 billion dollars. Plus they've so much unlisted companies. Including India's largest private defence company, largest DTH service and so many more.
The best part about video is the background score. नमस्ते 🙏 Just one more thing, when you write the airport stats in Hindi, we dont call it इंडिया, we call भारत. Just for your future reference.
Great review and insight as always Kevin. My only feedback is I feel like the backing music is getting too loud. I don't find the reviews as easy to concentrate on or as relaxing when the music is overpowering. Or Maybe I'm getting too old 😂
Thanks very much for the feedback. In reality, all of my videos (from the last 8 months or so) have more or less the same dB level for the music, but certain tracks do ‘pierce’ a bit more than others. I always try to find a balance. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Loved your video. The narration, content, everything was just spot on. Coming to AI I still feel they have miles to go. Certainly not business class worthy.
Great review. Air India has to come along a long way to change their ways and the perception the rest of the world has. I think Tata takeover will just help do that. Fingers crossed. I am flying Sydney to Delhi on AI J and looking forward to it (going with no expectations, lets see). And you've earned a subscriber!
Thank you So Much Brother for Review 🙏 , What's your View on Air India Future ? Can it Compete With Top Airlines like Qatar , Emirates , Singapore in future ?
In the current environment, Tata + SQ truly is the dream team to transform Air India. Resources of Tata & Knowhow of SQ... within five years I'd bet this channel they will have completly shifted the dynamic of airlines on the continent. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thank you Kevin for this detailed report. I have Air India under consideration for Syd->Paris Business in June as they are basically the cheapest. That said I balk when seeing the poor shape that the cabins are in. Probably better flying JAL PE and saving some money... but dying for some 90's New Jersey swag! 🤣🤣🤣
Flip Flop you nailed your review!!! Well Done. AI has a huge hole to crawl out from and it's going to take a lot of time, hopefully in time for when the newly ordered aircraft arrives. Like I said earlier there is a huge hole in AI and the current staff are upbeat about AI's future, they are trying their best to accommodate all customers but the problem is they can only do so much given the tools they have to play with. There is only so much a FA can do 30k+ feet in the air when the product itself is so outdated and not cared for and thus does work. There is only so much a FA can do 30k+ feet in the air when the ground staff sells Business Class tickets to a couple with a new baby in business class and that child cries during most of the flight as this is what happened to me during my Sept 2022 flight from Del to Melbourne Australia!!! This is just a few observations I made in my last long haul flight with AI. In the meantime I think I will settle with BA, Turkish, Air Canada and Finnair for my long haul flights...
This is a nice review. I haven't flown with them since almost a decade now. Too many bad experiences. I remember as a kid in the 90s and early 2000s, flying on their 747s every year to visit our family in india. It used to be so good. But ever since then it just nosedived. Had a flight where pilot and copilot fell asleep and the plane was descending towards the Arabian Sea. Thankfully, the blaring alarms woke them up in time to take control of the flight again. Another flight where the seat had a screw missing, was wobbly and unsafe. I was told by the crew to 'adjust' for the flight. The same flight had food with a complementary cockroach in the sambhar. I wasn't even given a replacement meal as they were out of vegetarian options. Seeing the Tata's recent involvement with the airline however, has me excited as I can't wait for Air India to get better and fly them again. Still hoping with a pinch of salt as Vistara hasn't been setting the best example since some years now. Still hoping for the best though!
There is a lot of things Air India needs to improve and fine tune. They’re very symbolic and could use a bit of focus on a few good things and stick to it.
Great video. A small advice for the upcoming indian videos - don't use the cliche classical Indian music sound track. It is hard for a foreigner to find Indian music which does not feel like the cliche Hollywood style representation of Indian music. Therefore it actually makes the video feel slightly less authentic. Use a sound track like the ones you would have used in any other video.
Point taken but I’ve actually often used music that is in some way (stress on “some way”) relevant to the location of the video. At the end of the day I’m confined to royalty free music so I do the best with what’s available. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I aako fly with air India a month before and seriously I’m unhappy with air India. Still they have a work a lot in it. Hope TATA will do their best in future
tata has companies in steel market, car, aviation, service, railway, food services, hotels, industries and many more, despite this 1 big fact is that its not an evil company like it gived free education, healtcare even current ceo of tata: ratan tata had gave away like 60-70% of his networth to charity and is still giving , this is why if u ask a indian does he loves tata or not then you'll get the answer
My first flight out of India was on Air India in 1977, when they served food on China, with silverware, in economy. Also drinks in genuine glassware. Air India was one of the best in those days, and I hope the TATAs can restore it. They just placed a giga order for new jets on Boeing and Airbus.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Lets see..🎉
The new Air India will
Be 75 % owned by Tata and 25% owned by Singapore Airlines after the merger of Vistara. It will be the best airline in the world❤
@@rudraganesh Shareholding won't dramatically change things. The soft side of things, mainly people and management, need to change. Also customer as well, to restore clean conditions. Air India has a long long way to go.
@@gooner7768 it literally will. Have you looked up the new cabins that will be installed on all their 777s and 787s? The soft side may need help to change, but the hard product will be world class. I find it hard to imagine after all that investment creating a class leading hard product, they won't do anything to improve the soft product too.
This is honestly one of the best reviews on youtube. A good review based on good research. You mentioned about the TATA group, their history with Air India and also latest news updates such as their announcement to refurbish the interiors on their widebody aircraft, which shows that you have done good reearch and did not just upload a review for the sake of it . I especially liked the music, was very calming. The stats of each airport was also very nice to see.
Thanks very much. Yah for these AI and upcoming Vistara reviews- the entire purpose of the trip was to give better context to the trip reports (I presume) I will make in a few years about Air India once the merger is complete. Airlines are more than just airlines to me- and they often don’t get the historic contextual credit they deserve! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
My first ever flight was with Air India, January 1st 1974. It was a 747 and I was totally blown away. In those days we had multiple stops, a bit like a bus service! Our plane came to London from Canada then we flew to Paris, Kuwait, Delhi and then Bombay. I loved the take off and landing and got a lot of them on this flight. On the negative side, it turned a potentially 8 hour flight into a 12 hour flight and we couldn’t deplane along the way.
Great video yet again Kevin.
I’d be like a kid in a candy store on that flight! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Omg, I had forgotten those days where planes had multiple stops! 😂
@@un4getablefriend it is a more economical way to operate an airline but was stopped due to protectionism of legacy carriers 😡
We, as Indians, are critical about the critique on anything Indian. But, I have to say that this review, despite it being a critique, was one of the best reviews and shows exactly the areas where Air India as an airline can upgrade. Thank you Kevin for being perfectly objective and unbiased.
Your first sentence yes, I’ve learned quite well 😂 That’s why anytime I complain about something I do my best to actually show it as well. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thanks for the awesome travel videos !
Thanks very much for the support, it is certainly appreciated 🙏🏻
I have always flown from EWR to either Mumbai and /or Delhi on United then transferred to Air India for all internal flights and found them to be more than satisfactory on these short-haul flights. As always, your in-flight reviews are spot-on, highly comprehensive to the smallest of details and contain an historical perspective. I enjoy all your videos as I find them highly informative and very entertaining so...please keep them coming. And before I forget...THANK YOU for getting rid of that "disclaimer" from a couple months back (much appreciated) ! As always, I'm looking forward to your next video wherever it may take you/us......
The best advise I have ever seen about starting on RUclips was, “if your early content is really great, then you waited to long to start posting…”
I use the same mentality when changing parts of the video and dive in the deep end and pull back rather than do it the ‘normal’ way haha. It helps me settle on the ‘final’ format faster. In retrospect, yes, it was cringe- but, it is also what birthed the current format which I’m quite happy with.
As always thanks for your feedback and for your support 🙏🏻
Happy to see you above 30K subscribers. My only business class flight to India was on an Aeroflot IL-62 from Moscow to Bombay in 1990. The only entertainment was simply being on one of the coolest looking planes that ever flew commercially. No flat seats then but still quite comfortable in their NJ 1970s orange fabric. I don't remember the meal as sadly no iphones to record them but do remember all was fine.
Is the IL-62 the one where you can board via stairs from under the tail? Around 2000 I flew from St. Petersburg to Moscow on a Soviet model that boarded through the rear and kind of passed through part of the cargo hold. Was just bizarre. Also, well before my trip reporting days lol.
During my PhD this was my go to flight CDG-DEL then transfer to Mumbai. It was hard to get because there were so few direct flights to India. It is good to know that Air India is buying modern aircraft and we can get direct services to India.
Oh I reckon you’ll see a massive amount of new service from CDG to primary cities and perhaps from ORY to secondary- same like they’ve announced for LHR/LGW. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
During your PhD..... Hmmm.....another Indian affliction. Very important to reveal your status in life...
@@vidh7117 So?
@@kaustubh14jr which PhD is that?
Another great video & the history/background that you give is always welcome and shows the effort you have put in & makes the video more entertaining to watch than just a pure flight/seat review…the charts/graphics and info is all also great
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Absolutely fascinated with this review, it feels like being in a time warp! Everything about their product, branding and service is so similar to when I handled them being ground crew at Schiphol AirPort…. The colour scheme, products and service seem to be the same! Will be so interesting to see you do a review in a year/two years and see how they are doing. From here, the only way is up! Thank you for the very interesting video with lots of historical background and info! 🙏🏼
BTW, so darn irritating, the thanks feature STILL doesn’t work! You can choose the amount, but when you click “buy and send” it doesn’t respond. Very sorry, I try but the system just doesn’t want to cooperate 🥴
Haha I have that thought about the system nearly every day 😂 no worries at all. Thanks very much as always 🙏🏻
Great video again Kevin and the Indian background play setting the mood - Having myself travelled on this service twice continuing to Sydney it never got any better than what you experienced although the amenity kit was more “upmarket” luckily they had a ridiculously inexpensive fare but wouldn’t fly them again
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I like travel vlog channels and this channel is on a different level I believe. The vlogger actually has a vision. He chooses to not reveal his face(which takes guts and conviction to stay true to his vision of keeping videos fair and non-influenced). I also like the way he showcases things, does his research on the subject he is vlogging about and has a calm demeanour about everything he vlogs and talks about. Kudos. 👍🏽
Thanks for watching 🩴
Your commentary on your meal service made me laugh a little bit. It reminded me of the time when I was a child, I was visiting my aunt’s home, and my mom asked me how I liked the meal. My response was: “the mashed potatoes were the bestest“! That kind of sums up your meal aboard Air India, apparently! Thanks for the honest comments.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Definitely the best review I have seen in my life Kevin. Such detail, such attention to detail in the designs and execution. Well done you!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Thanks for your fair review of Air-India which is still a work in progress. But from what is evident from avid air travelers like you who are also content creators on RUclips l am confident that this airline now in the hands of new owners will be transformed with professionalism, hard work and dedication in the near future to compete with the top rated airlines in the world some of them operating from the Middle East, South East Asia and Europe as their hubs for international flights. As an Indian citizen I wish all the best for Air-India in performance and brand image as this carrier has the name of my beloved country on its livery and name. I appreciate your excellent commentary, inflight food reviews and clear videos which are a delight for me to watch. Keep on doing your good work.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
If you buy new planes and repaint them. This does not mean that you will become a supercompany! Change the economic approach! Drive away all the old corrupt leadership! Retrain your staff! Eliminate rudeness and poor quality service! I fly frequently to India, Mumbai and Bangalore for work and always prefer other airlines. I avoid Air India. One flight was enough for me not to use the services of this airline in the future.
'Laugh out loud' funny, yet succinct commentary. Really helpful. Looking forward to the upcoming hotel reviews. Still the best on YT.
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I was looking for Business Class review for AI CDG-DEL and you covered almost everything. I think your format is one of the best and this was the first video I watched. Instant subscribe.
You redeemed them via which airmiles (I guess Star Alliance ones)? (Edit: Nevermind, read your description)
Going through your videos and keep up the good work! Kudos!
PS: Loved the dig at "sponsored RUclipsrs". I probably inferred the RUclipsr you are hinting at.
Also, love that you don't show yourself so airlines have no way of identifying you and serving you better than other people. Adds to honest review part!
Appreciate (all of) that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I'm underwhelmed by that experience. Flying Heathrow to Delhi, in a month's time, in Business, I would choose Finnair (via Helsinki), at HALF the cost of Air India's non-stop service. Tata's got a lot of work to do.
Good review. Looking forward to the next bit.
They certainly do have a long way to go- but hard to not feel confident about what’ll come of it, especially with SQ’s name all over it. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Finnair is a good value to Asia in Business Class. Kinda an average product but solid for the price and definately better than AI's current. Also easy to to connect over HEL. I've flown them several times to India.
Bring an Indian myself I find this business class not fair at all ot the rice.theyve got a long way to go.thise Finnair seats r far better but service wise low
I remember Air India from their heyday. It was definitely a great experience at the time. The 747-200's looked very stunning - each window painted in the shape of what you see at an Indian palace.
Inside, the aircraft was definitely comfortable. Nothing like today, but it was good ( the entertainment was a Bollywood movie, shown on a pull down screen in Super 8 quality).
But I don't remember the aircraft looking worn out or dirty.
At that time, domestic air travel in India was only operated by Indian Airlines - and mostly only a few trunk routes.
I really hope, that the new Air India will be a world class airline again. India definitely has the potential, the management just needs to focus on the things that are really important. And they need to be a lot more consistent with their product. A major focus should be on crew training and customer service in general.
I keep my hopes up...
I love the way you present your video very politely.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
This was such a treat to watch, the effective story telling coupled with your soothing voice and serene background music was just so refreshing. Thank you so much!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
In all the previous AI business class reviews I’ve seen , it’s usually the food that is the only positive thing about it.. and I mean Indian food..it seems like the Paris to Delhi route has a different style of Cuisine…And you found out how different the hard way…thx for another enjoyable watch . 🙏
What I can never get over is how cold the service is with Air India - its as if their staff are somehow forced to work and really resent it. Maybe they chosse the completely wrong personality types. They are more akin to bureaucrats.
Just liked and subscribed your channel!!
Thanks for subscribing! 📺
Now THIS is a FFT episode I've been waiting for.
Hope it was worth the wait 😅 Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Love from India 🇮🇳
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I'd recommend that Tata take a good hard look at their catering.
Was hoping you'd mention the sleep comfort of the seat.
As usual, I really enjoyed this review & your comprehensive reviewing style.
This is one area where I know for a fact that Tata knew very well what they were getting into since Tata has for a while been providing catering for Air India through Taj SATS. Considering Vistara’s catering comes from the same company (and Vistara’s food is incredible…), I reckon Air India will see better food very soon. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I just flew in from San Francisco to Bengaluru last wednesday by Air India business class. It was a newly leased plane ( from Delta) . Cant complain about the facilities, the food can be better.But have to tell the treatment of the crew were more than satisfactory within their constraints.
In fact i was very happy.😊 Especially compared to Etihaad,Emirates and Oman Air where the cabin crew are more stiff dealing with Indians. The Air India flight i took from Delhi to San Francisco had the worn down plane but have to comment on the extreme hospitality of the crew in the business class
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Very well researched, very fair and informative. Enjoyed very much thanks
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Lovey video man. Can't wait for the A350s...
Same here! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Well detailed review, love your voice and the way you explain. Thank you sir
Thank you kindly!
My father worked for air india as cabin crew for 40years, batch of 74. He was a law student from bangalore and his other batch mates were from doon and st stephens etc. All personally interviewed by JRD. It was the best transatlantic airline for 12 years in a row. I will never forget the class and quality of food and service. The maharaja will rise again.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
There are no recent reviews of the air india's long haul , I really wanted one and you gave it to me sir, thanks for that
You are very welcome ☺️ Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Let's hope the only way is up! I've only flown Air India once when I was 4 back in the year dot. All I remember is the flight attendants in sarees handing out hard sweets to help with ear ache on take off :)
Haha I guess the sweets were cut with the menu cards 😁. Hoping the best for them. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
loved background music nice video, welcome to India
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Very honest review. I appreciate your work. Keep it up
Thanks for watching 🩴
This was so thorough thank you for this review!
Thanks for watching 🩴
I am more impressed by the number of subtitles (close caption) available in 63 languages? That's amazing.
The most impressive thing to me is how few creators post in multiple languages. (It's not that hard, they're just... lazy?)
I remember the food on board the 747-400's from JFK actually being quite good even for economy
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Runway detail nd all,great content dude
Appreciate that!
Love your reviews 😌👍
All Star Alliance airlines now depart from the terminal 1 in CDG . The T1 is now a stunning terminal ! It has been refurbished 🤩
I’d say this is a very good development (even if it wasn’t refurbished haha). Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Superb choice of background music, very relaxing.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Hello Kevin. Another good travel video. From what I have heard the B787 is behind both the A380 and the B777 in passenger comfort which is why I hope to fly the latter two sometime either soon or in the near future. The quality of food on these transatlantic flights should be one of the bonuses to flying particular airlines as word of mouth is very informative at all times. Keep up the good work!
Not sure where you’ve heard that. Assuming they’re equipped with the same seats, 787s are light years ahead of 777s for passenger comfort in my opinion. The A380 and A350 do take the top spots though. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft Saw that review on a website I researched through Google when I posed the question of which B is the most comfortable to fly on. Google came back with a website indicating that the B777 is the preferred aircraft over the B787. Naturally, the A380 takes top spot but was not aware that the A350 was also in the ranking.
I have only flown Air India just twice in my life, that too in A320s. It was December 2015, probably the worst time the airline was going through. Well, the only consolation for me was I got to fly Asia's first A320, making it the second oldest active A320 at the time!
The reputation now however seems to have improved a lot. From the most punctual airline to good soft product, the conglomerate has turned the tides for this airline overnight. Cannot wait to see your reviews of it's new A350s and subsequently the new cabins next year!
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Love your videos, keep it up !
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Loved the review like always.You do complete justice to a perfect review.
By the way,whats the name of background music you used in this video?it was a good one
The name I don’t know off the top of my head. All of my music comes from Artlist. Thanks for watching 🩴
My first international travel experience was in Air India from DEL-ORD. PErsonall decided that should be my last trip on Air India. But hoping after the TATA takeover it gets better maybe must try later this year for a trip back on Air India. The video background music was very comforting and nice.
Thanks for sharing!
I am a recent subscriber but I absolutely love your editing skills man.I know its a small detail but the brief airport description during take-off and landing is pretty cool.I'd also like you to visit Pakistan some time in the near future because we've had some new airlines start up here since 2017,and also the Pakistan International Airlines is also a legacy carrier,which is currently struggling,unfortunately.
Pakistan is certainly on my list for next year. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft You're welcome.Keep it up.
Good review and where did you get the background music from? It fit perfectly with the video.
All music on the channel is from Artlist.io Thanks for watching 🩴
Great review!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Always enjoy your review
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I hope tatas see such videos for unbiased opinion and free feedback. So all these pts are considered. Competition from other airlines is tough but having best Singapore airlines by tata side. They get to learn a lot and adopt best practices with clean slate rather improving existing..
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
The TATA bosses and not their staff because Indian staff are great at hiding bad stuff which affects their own reputation.
Wudder! That is a distinctly Philly accent word! Thanks again!
Not in this case haha but close-ish 😉
I think the Tata group is the only such company in the world that is present in all sectors you can think of from Aerospace to Zinc manufacturing literally 😃
They certainly like to spread their wings! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Its a blessing and a curse in india. It explains the selective entreprenuership and risk averse mentality among indians.
Thanks for the review. I found it quite helpful. I also loved the background music. Could you tell me what soundtrack it is/ where I could find it?
All of my music comes from Artlist. The exact track names I don't know off the top of my head. Thanks for watching 🩴
I am an Indian and this looks like the inside of an Indian train!!!
Thanks for watching 🩴
Starbucks India is in partnership with Tata aswell.
They certainly are!
Flown on Air India a couple of times, and lucky for me, they were in first class. I took the mango flight from LHR to JFK. The flight originated in Delhi. The flight was amazing, I was sat right in the nose of a 747, best seat in the house. Inflight meal was western or India. The curry was the best I've ever had in my life. They kept my wine glass full for the whole flight, and I was glad of the chauffeur service to down town. Jetlag? What jetlag. Hiccup
I would have loved to experience that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
This must have been a long time ago.
@@JeanClaudeCOCO Year 2000.
I had flown Mumbai to London Heathrow, toured London for 7 days then London Heathrow to New York JFK and return from New York JFK to Mumbai via London and Delhi in 1998 on Air India Boeing 747- 400. The food and service was really great then.
Appreciate the comprehensive approach you take in these - it’s really useful! I’m kind of surprised you gave that 78/100 overall; I’d have given it way less from the looks of it! On the other hand I love the amenity kit pouch; would almost fly them just to get one 😂. Anyway thanks, and keep up the good work!
Keep in mind my scores (for flights or hotels) are always relative to the price I paid to keep the playing field fair. At 45k points, this is one of the better redemption values out there. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft fair point!
Hi Kevin, really enjoy your Videos!!! I am from New Zealand and hopefully you make it here with Air New Zealand!!!! 🙂
I actually will be doing just that this year ☺️ Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Hi Kevin what is the best choice beween vistara or air india business class from Paris to New Delhi ?
I feel like you didn't watch my Vistara videos, if you did- the answer is pretty obvious lol.
Awesome coverage
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Actually Tata is more than what you have described. There is a saying in the business about Tata group, if there is any business or vertical, Tata would be there. They have businesses in Steel, Automobile, Defense, Airlines, insurance, software, chips and firmwire, chemicals, grids, power, solar, mining, hospitality, health, retail, e-commerce and everything and anything in between that comes to my mind from the top of the head.
Sure, but if I went into that much detail I’d need a separate video just for it :) Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Air Asia India next ❤️
I really like Air Asia especially the red colour brand looks so attractive 🟥✈️😀🙂
I have another India trip coming this year but won’t get a chance to try AAI before it’s incorporated into Air India Express. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft you can try spicejet 😀
I like your rating system. It's very clear.
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Really lovely review. New livery if air India looks interesting and have no doubt with the excellent hubs like BOM and DEL they will eat into the far Euro to far east indirect market dominated by middle eastern carriers. It's funny, I'm in India now, been dozens of times and never flown AI Internationally. My friends here won't let me as they say it's awful (they probably remember the glory days!) but every British person I meet has flown AI here and loves it, especially the food! I guess that's understandable when Curry is our national dish!
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I took the exact same trip from CDG to DEL in Apr'22, used my 30k miles from Turkish Miles&Smiles and GBP 110(gives you an option to book star alliance flights) they did not give lounge access at Paris which was very strange, the one big plus was I had the whole business cabin to myself. Ground staff was not friendly at all compared to the complete 180 degree change with the crew onboard. Clearly they have a lounge now but they need to work on their seat, colours in the cabin, amenities kit, ear phones, cutlery/glassware, linen and food which is nearly everything. Except for the warm friendly crew. Compared to others they must have wifi too onboard given most of their competitors in the middle east do.
Surely over the next couple of years every square inch of the aircraft's interior and amenity offerings will be brought up to standard. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Kevin if only my favorite airline which is currently on flip flop mode would start flying again. Surprised you didn't mention it or notice it. You had a great view of it before your flight reached the aerobridge in Delhi.
Are we talking about Jet Airways? I did originally have a comment about them in my script but had to cut it for time.
@@tfft yes jet 9W so many memories. @jetairways come back so Kevin has a reason to come back to India again .
Surprisingly, I had the opposite experience in economy. I often fly JFK DEL, and the hospitality was mediocre, but the food was excellent. The condition of the aircraft was appalling, much worse than this, though it is an older 777-300ER that I fly.
Perhaps an issue with Paris catering. Thanks for watching 🩴
This is the best trip report channel ! Come to Brazil and please make a report 🇧🇷🙏👍
I have multiple reports from Brazil on the channel already 😉 Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft I will definitely watch. If you do come, let me know 🇧🇷👍
@@tfft não sei se você vai ler o meu comentário, gosto muito do seu canal. Qual o nome da música, o fundo musical? Muito bonita essa música indiana.
Nicely done!. I am also happy that you didn't use the standard (and annoying) sitar / tabla background music that non-indian folks use for their indian videos :)
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Air India is now increasing it capacity towards Customer satisfaction and they are refurbishing their aircraft and company like like sky rocket according to my speculation by the end of 2024 they'll achieve that and one thing I would like to mention that on the global aviation stage the TATA'S providing one of the lowest air fare so if you see the fare then their is no room left for complaining..because I once travel with Qatar airways and I got upgrade when I asked about that upgrade which I was provided I was shocked to know that was near 15k $ ...so kudos to TATA😍
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
As you have mentioned about the market cap, Tata Group companies market cap is 300 billion dollars. Plus they've so much unlisted companies. Including India's largest private defence company, largest DTH service and so many more.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
The best part about video is the background score. नमस्ते 🙏
Just one more thing, when you write the airport stats in Hindi, we dont call it इंडिया, we call भारत. Just for your future reference.
Thanks for that! It's already baked into the next few videos but will change it for the future. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great review and insight as always Kevin. My only feedback is I feel like the backing music is getting too loud. I don't find the reviews as easy to concentrate on or as relaxing when the music is overpowering. Or Maybe I'm getting too old 😂
Thanks very much for the feedback. In reality, all of my videos (from the last 8 months or so) have more or less the same dB level for the music, but certain tracks do ‘pierce’ a bit more than others. I always try to find a balance. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video! you should make a video on air india when Tata completes its takeover and renavation of air india.
Have recently filmed a new AI video to see how it's going so far and have plans to fly the merged AI/UK next year.
Flew Etihad Business from CDG to SIN last summer and that was the lounge used by Etihad
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Another magnificent review! Personally I don’t have anything positive to say about AI where attention to detail it’s not part of their idiosyncrasy.
Hoping this changes over the coming years. Thanks as always for the support 🙏🏻
Can Star Gold access the lounge with an Air India economy ticket? Great review.
No, you’d only be able to access the Air Canada lounge which last I checked has very limited operating hours. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Loved your video. The narration, content, everything was just spot on. Coming to AI I still feel they have miles to go. Certainly not business class worthy.
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
15:50 nothing inappropriate about those posters
Just 2% lol
What's inappropriate? This guy is a weirdo.
Great review. Air India has to come along a long way to change their ways and the perception the rest of the world has. I think Tata takeover will just help do that. Fingers crossed. I am flying Sydney to Delhi on AI J and looking forward to it (going with no expectations, lets see). And you've earned a subscriber!
Yes, with no expectations, you'll enjoy yourself I think (I say that genuinely...). Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thank you So Much Brother for Review 🙏 , What's your View on Air India Future ? Can it Compete With Top Airlines like Qatar , Emirates , Singapore in future ?
In the current environment, Tata + SQ truly is the dream team to transform Air India. Resources of Tata & Knowhow of SQ... within five years I'd bet this channel they will have completly shifted the dynamic of airlines on the continent. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft Thanks 🙏
I am so happy to see that there is kannada subtitle 🙏
Glad to be able to provide it! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Airports best part of India
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Really good review 👏 but iam not ok with that seating it's very old and the food trolly that's right it's very old style of thing
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thank you Kevin for this detailed report. I have Air India under consideration for Syd->Paris Business in June as they are basically the cheapest. That said I balk when seeing the poor shape that the cabins are in. Probably better flying JAL PE and saving some money... but dying for some 90's New Jersey swag! 🤣🤣🤣
😅 Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Food is great when going out of India :)
Unhelpful for me! lol
Looking forward to your video on Taj Mahal Palace
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Flip Flop you nailed your review!!! Well Done. AI has a huge hole to crawl out from and it's going to take a lot of time, hopefully in time for when the newly ordered aircraft arrives. Like I said earlier there is a huge hole in AI and the current staff are upbeat about AI's future, they are trying their best to accommodate all customers but the problem is they can only do so much given the tools they have to play with. There is only so much a FA can do 30k+ feet in the air when the product itself is so outdated and not cared for and thus does work. There is only so much a FA can do 30k+ feet in the air when the ground staff sells Business Class tickets to a couple with a new baby in business class and that child cries during most of the flight as this is what happened to me during my Sept 2022 flight from Del to Melbourne Australia!!! This is just a few observations I made in my last long haul flight with AI. In the meantime I think I will settle with BA, Turkish, Air Canada and Finnair for my long haul flights...
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
This is a nice review. I haven't flown with them since almost a decade now. Too many bad experiences.
I remember as a kid in the 90s and early 2000s, flying on their 747s every year to visit our family in india. It used to be so good. But ever since then it just nosedived.
Had a flight where pilot and copilot fell asleep and the plane was descending towards the Arabian Sea. Thankfully, the blaring alarms woke them up in time to take control of the flight again.
Another flight where the seat had a screw missing, was wobbly and unsafe. I was told by the crew to 'adjust' for the flight. The same flight had food with a complementary cockroach in the sambhar. I wasn't even given a replacement meal as they were out of vegetarian options.
Seeing the Tata's recent involvement with the airline however, has me excited as I can't wait for Air India to get better and fly them again.
Still hoping with a pinch of salt as Vistara hasn't been setting the best example since some years now.
Still hoping for the best though!
Personally I thought Vistara was exceptional on both flights that I had with them. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft I'm happy to hear that. Consistency is the key!
I loved the background music,can you please name it for me
All of my music is from Artlist, I don’t have the track name of the top of my head. Thanks for watching 🩴
Hello
Next when you come to India you definitely come in ahmedabad there is lots of things to do ❤❤
Thanks for the tip 🙏🏻
where is the music from? I have been trying to find it.
All from Artlist.
@@tfft what's the name? There are so many in the list.
There is a lot of things Air India needs to improve and fine tune. They’re very symbolic and could use a bit of focus on a few good things and stick to it.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Background Music Name?? Please Tell
All of my music is from Artlist, the name of this specific song I don't have access to at the moment. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft please Tell Me How Can I Get That Song Please Please
@@VRTCXZE (seek) from Hans Johnson
Presumably you can use sandal soap on your flip-flops?
Glad you caught that :) Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Leaky toiletory means either it’s cheap or not used for a long while.
Cheap, as I mentioned. Thanks for watching 🩴
Great video.
A small advice for the upcoming indian videos - don't use the cliche classical Indian music sound track. It is hard for a foreigner to find Indian music which does not feel like the cliche Hollywood style representation of Indian music. Therefore it actually makes the video feel slightly less authentic.
Use a sound track like the ones you would have used in any other video.
Point taken but I’ve actually often used music that is in some way (stress on “some way”) relevant to the location of the video. At the end of the day I’m confined to royalty free music so I do the best with what’s available. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft Hmm...I understand.
I aako fly with air India a month before and seriously I’m unhappy with air India.
Still they have a work a lot in it. Hope TATA will do their best in future
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
tata has companies in steel market, car, aviation, service, railway, food services, hotels, industries and many more, despite this 1 big fact is that its not an evil company like it gived free education, healtcare even current ceo of tata: ratan tata had gave away like 60-70% of his networth to charity and is still giving , this is why if u ask a indian does he loves tata or not then you'll get the answer
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
Leave it to Air India to make the brand new 787's look and feel like they are from the 60's. This overhaul from the Tata's can't come fast enough!
A nine year old aircraft is hardly brand new lol. But yes, point taken.