DEL – LHR, 9W 122 and LHR – DEL, 9W 121

Delhi – London Heathrow – 31st January

Well i was supposed to leave on the 30th but the flu made sure i lost atleast one day. By this time my delayed departure was again being threatened by a strike by AAI(Airport Authorities of India) employees against privitisation. But fortunately found out the striking employees are causing a mess at the domestic terminal and not the international. I reached the airport at 11:30 pm and checked in. While the gate was alloted to the flight i noticed how the traffic into Delhi was growing and there were not enough air bridges to accomodate every flight. Our gate was the one allocated for the flights parked at the RPB’s or the Remote Parking Bays. So we went into busses to our flight, Jet Airways A343E to LHR. This aircraft along with 2 others has been wet leased from SAA till Jet recieves its 777s next year. We boarded the aircraft at 1:50 for a 2:30 departure. Occupancy was around 50% only.

We took off promptly at time, being Jet Airways they always try to leave on time which is fresh to see. The CEO of the airline, Mr. Naresh Goyal has worked with SQ for a long while before and Sq’s service influence is clearly visible on 9W flights.

The aircraft was one of the most comfortable ones i have been on in a long time. A 2-4-2 configuration with large PTVs and ample leg room, not to mention seat next to me empty made for a great flight. A very Indianised entertainment system with Bollywood flicks dominating but latest Hollywood flicks also available. After reaching Lahore in Pakistan the flight got bumpy as usual, the Hindukush range does not provide for very smooth flying conditions. But if you would fly over the Hindukush during the day its a sight you would never forget. We passed Tashkent and thats when the flight smoothened out. By this time everyone was asleep but they served meals anyway. Good selection of Indian and continental. Its young airline so there are glitches. Like wine served only once in the whole 9 hour journey. We touched Baku and Warsaw amidst the pitch dar night. There was a last minute route alteration in the flight for some reason. Instead of going over Amsterdam and into UK we went north over Malmo and Copenhagen. Probably because of traffic congestion over the English Channel. Anyway we entered the British skies over the north side and kept a steady low altitude of around 11000 ft and the traffic over LHR was clearly visible in the dawn light, aircrafts everywhere. We took a round of Oxford as we waited for clearence and landed finally at around 7 am. A good flight over-all, comfortable and good service. This airline willmake India proud in the near future in the international market.

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9W 121 – LHR – DEL

Well, lets just say a 9 am departure is not that much fun. Reached LHR Terminal 3 at 6:45 and found the Jet Airways terminal right in front of me. Entered the LHR security line in departures which was way too long forcomfort. But anyway got through that and went to our gate, 29.There was where this flight started tobecome memorable. Found out the first officer was a friend of mine and my flight had jump seat written all over it. The flight occupancy was around 65%, being a low season. Anyway we boarded at 8:30 but werenot pushed bacj until 9:15…then another 20 mins. were taken to taxi. I witnessed the take-off from the jump seat which was great but then rretreated to my seat for a comfortable 7 hr 40minute journey. This time since we did not take the norther route it was a faster journey with the tailwinds being good as well. We went straightover Germany into Ukraine, kissing the borders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and into Afghanistan over Kabul and then onto Lahore Pakistan into India. Again we had a 30minute wait over Delhi airport. Thanks to the strike again. This flight was even better than the last one. Maybe becuse i was fresh and awake but anyway. Jet Airways needs to gain more experience to give better service but they are certanly on the right track.