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A changing India in J and Y: BLR-DEL-GOI-BOM

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  • SQueeze
    replied
    Originally posted by schumaster View Post
    SQueeze, very nice report! Can I ask where you bought your pillow? So cute!
    It's a gift, bought from an online store in Japan but I am not sure where exactly.
    My favourite character - Mamegoma. Hello Kitty is a no-no for me.

    But it's not the most comfortable as a pillow for sleeping because it's not a proper one - a bit firm. I usually use it for additional support during lounging time after the meal service.

    Leave a comment:


  • schumaster
    replied
    SQueeze, very nice report! Can I ask where you bought your pillow? So cute!

    Leave a comment:


  • SQueeze
    replied
    First of all, thank you guys for reading and commenting.


    Originally posted by SQGamespeed View Post
    Nice TR SQueeze! I was at the new T2 in BOM in October but didn't go to the lounge. It looks pretty good in pictures but does it at least have windows?
    Plenty of windows and they are the full 5 m height of the space. It's similar to SIN's SilverKris First Class and Private Room combined. Lots of daylight. But it's in a location where you do get to see some planes but not from the best angles. But neither do the SKL and TPR




    Originally posted by Durian View Post
    Merci pour ce recit !
    Vos photos sont superbes ! Je n'ai pas reussi a capturer les arbres du nouveau T2 de BOM aussi bien que vous dans la nuit !

    Thanks for sharing !
    Fantastic pics and interesting journey, incl. taking the public train !
    Merci beaucoup pour vos compliments. Je me demande comment vous savez que je parle français.

    Anyway, the photos are turning up nicer at BOM T2 because I was using my SLR there. The building deserves good shots. Usually, I am wary of taking out SLRs in airports because of the many security eyes around and will just be happy with iPhone camera. But I didn't really care that time, I had to take out my 'weapon' and got some good shots for this building that deserves to look good in real and in photos.




    Originally posted by scooby5 View Post
    I took AI a few years back when it was the A319 and whilst a pretty crap plane for the SIN-BOM sector, row one was comfy with good service.

    At ~S$3600rtn (ALL IN) from SIN to FRA in J on new 787s for all sectors through DEL, and based on your report, I'm seriously considering it an option. One fatal flaw on the return sector I can see, however, is a ~12hrs stopover in DEL compared to one about 1.5hrs on the way to FRA as a daylight flight.
    AI has changed massively. They pulled out all the lousy planes from all 3 Singapore routes and put an all-787 to SIN from DEL, MAA, and BOM. For BOM, they had retimed their flights to suit business travellers better. I am not sure if they have been successful with their strategy. I believe so, because they had increased their average J prices by 300 dollars but still affordable at SGD 1,300 (yes, they used to be selling J at SGD 1,000). And SQ has reduced their J prices to within the range of SGD 3,500, way below the ridiculous SGD 4,500 in the middle of last year (and that if one could get a seat in the first place).

    SGD 3,600 sounds good for Europe. Too bad, you missed the SGD 1,700 in business class to Europe last year. I saw that fare for 6 months and kept wondering if that was a promo or a mistake. But the 12 hour transit on the way back is really a deterrent unless you are taking a proper Indian stop-over. I don't think their market is to carry connecting traffic as much. Btw, the SIN-DEL I flew last August was fully packed. And my colleague told me it was just as full both ways too recently.

    For Europe, i think Jet Airways has better deal. It's SGD 2,600 (if on the P fare but it's quite elusive) and the connections if flying through BOM can be seamless in both directions. And BOM is a much better hub than DEL which is like a dump pit now. Too bad Jet has moved backwards with their deployment of 737s on all Southeast Asian routes. But their longhaul is really good.

    But AI's SGD 1,300 fare in business class to India is totally awesome. Compare that to SQ's economy charged at an average of SGD 1,200 Now I always recommend everyone to fly AI. But do not expect much. It's incomparable to SQ service. It's more like VN, I think - decent hardware, decent service. But it's getting better and that's what impresses me most.

    They only need to work on their reputation and we should never never ever read ridiculous news about it relating to rats and locked-out pilots.



    Originally posted by Kyo View Post
    Thanks for the TR, very enjoyable!

    Your last two posts have a bit of a repeat thing going...
    Thanks for reading, Kyo. And I had fixed the error. It was a bit of a copy-paste mistake.





    Originally posted by yflyer View Post
    Very nice TR, SQueeze! I used to travel to India a lot for work, mainly to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai, with the occasional trip to Pune and Chandigarh, and enjoyed every trip and meal. I still go there, but just once or twice a year, far less frequently than before, and every time I go there, I am always amazed by the new airport infrastructure that has sprung up since my previous visit.

    Not been to Goa...from your pictures it looks like an interesting place to visit!
    Thanks, yflyer. That's a big tour you have with so many cities.

    India is so big. So many places to visit. It can occupy a lifetime to see. Reminds me of one lady I met during my travels - she had been travelling in India for 15 years.

    It's a bitter sweet experience all the time usually - so many wonders, and also so many frustrations.
    Last edited by SQueeze; 13 January 2015, 10:40 AM.

    Leave a comment:


  • yflyer
    replied
    Very nice TR, SQueeze! I used to travel to India a lot for work, mainly to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai, with the occasional trip to Pune and Chandigarh, and enjoyed every trip and meal. I still go there, but just once or twice a year, far less frequently than before, and every time I go there, I am always amazed by the new airport infrastructure that has sprung up since my previous visit.

    Not been to Goa...from your pictures it looks like an interesting place to visit!

    Leave a comment:


  • Kyo
    replied
    Thanks for the TR, very enjoyable!

    Your last two posts have a bit of a repeat thing going...

    Leave a comment:


  • scooby5
    replied
    Originally posted by SQGamespeed View Post
    Nice TR SQueeze! I was at the new T2 in BOM in October but didn't go to the lounge. It looks pretty good in pictures but does it at least have windows?

    I suspect that AI's improvements are partly due to pressure from other *A carriers. I last flew with them in 2000, and while I don't remember the flight being outstanding in any way, it was also thankfully not abysmal like many pax reviews have said. Their chances of seeing me fly with them have become a tad better after reading this TR.

    Likewise.

    I took AI a few years back when it was the A319 and whilst a pretty crap plane for the SIN-BOM sector, row one was comfy with good service.

    At ~S$3600rtn (ALL IN) from SIN to FRA in J on new 787s for all sectors through DEL, and based on your report, I'm seriously considering it an option. One fatal flaw on the return sector I can see, however, is a ~12hrs stopover in DEL compared to one about 1.5hrs on the way to FRA as a daylight flight.

    Leave a comment:


  • Durian
    replied
    Merci pour ce recit !
    Vos photos sont superbes ! Je n'ai pas reussi a capturer les arbres du nouveau T2 de BOM aussi bien que vous dans la nuit !

    Thanks for sharing !
    Fantastic pics and interesting journey, incl. taking the public train !

    Leave a comment:


  • SQGamespeed
    replied
    Nice TR SQueeze! I was at the new T2 in BOM in October but didn't go to the lounge. It looks pretty good in pictures but does it at least have windows?

    I suspect that AI's improvements are partly due to pressure from other *A carriers. I last flew with them in 2000, and while I don't remember the flight being outstanding in any way, it was also thankfully not abysmal like many pax reviews have said. Their chances of seeing me fly with them have become a tad better after reading this TR.

    Leave a comment:


  • SQueeze
    replied
    I spent a nice one and a half hour in the lounge before I made my way to the gate.

    On the way, another jaw-dropping vista.



    Except for the type of chairs used, the space could easily be a hotel lobby. This building is so far like anything but an airport terminal. I really like it for the different feel.



    However, I do think some parts are a little over-designed. Like these lamps. A few as highlights will probably be ok, but so many of them become visual overload.



    Walking towards the gate. It's a long walk indeed. This is a massive airport. At least it's not ugly so it's not a dreadful experience.



    The gate area for our A380 flight is quite spacious and there was no chaotic boarding. Everybody was in line properly and was boarding in proper sequence.



    Business class was already boarding so I went straight into the jetway and then into the all-familiar Singapore Airlines.



    Since SQ423 is a brutal short 5 hour red-eyes, I completely shut down after take off to get maximum rest. No food, not even drink. And no pics !

    But I would like to end the trip report with a beautiful sunrise view over the Straits of Malacca. Thank you for reading.

    Leave a comment:


  • SQueeze
    replied
    I had been wanting to check out the newly-opened lounge. This is a common lounge operated by GVK (the developer and owner of the now-privatized airport). No airlines operate their own lounge here.

    And wow - what an impressive entrance. Well, a bit too much gold for my personal sense of aesthetics but I was still impressed nonetheless.



    I passed my lounge voucher to the gate agent and she directed me to the left (business). To the right would have been to the First Class section.

    Business class is downstairs. And hmmm, lots of glitter indeed. But I don't mean it in a bad way. It's borderline acceptable to me. A little bit more and it would be too kitschy.



    The lounge is posh, and is one of the poshest I have ever gone through. In fact, I think it is better looking than TG's First Class lounge in BKK. Only it's a little dense because this is for business class. Whatever it is, it can compete with SIN's SilverKris lounges.





    This is my seat for the following 1.5 hours, which is nicely located by the large full-height glazing facing the apron.



    One end of the lounge is the dining area.



    Which has a beautifully-lit buffet counter. The food was not bad too by the way.



    There is a semi-enclosed bar next to the dining area, which is a sports bar.



    At the other end of the lounge, there is also another bar.



    Very very impressive .... But then ... I found a flaw.

    The urinals are mounted against a very shiny and polished stone wall which is as reflective as a mirror!!! Everyone can see everyone else in full glory. Architects and ID designers, please be mindful not to use polished stone for urinal walls, or else please don't forget to add privacy partitions!

    Last edited by SQueeze; 16 January 2015, 07:33 AM.

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  • SQueeze
    replied
    I queued at the business class line.



    The line moved fast, and I soon found myself queuing at security and then immigration. Overall, it was very smooth with no more than a few minutes at each check point. What a contrast from the old BOM.



    Pity that SQ is no longer using the premium section, which has its own security lines and immigration. At that hour, the premium section was almost deserted.



    Immediately after immigration is the duty free. It's quite glitzy and is now fully open.



    Are they trying to compete with the Gulf airports by putting a car here?



    The layout is such that everybody is forced to walk through the duty-free before one emerges into the open waiting area with its intricate flower-inspired ceiling. While I like the twisted abstract ceiling in the check-in hall, I thought the ceiling here is too busy and over-designed.





    There is no shortage of F&B joints here to kill time.



    It does look more like a high-end mall rather than an airport terminal. I am very impressed with the quality of finishes too.



    Free internet stations.

    Leave a comment:


  • SQueeze
    replied
    Part 4

    Flight: SQ423
    Aircraft: A380
    Registration: 9V-SKH
    Cabin: Business
    Seat: 22K
    Load: 60%


    A couple of days in my beloved Mumbai, it was then time to return home. And I would get to use the new terminal.

    We zipped through a tunnel under the Western Express Highway.



    And wow, we emerged on a 6-lane tree-lined elevated highway, which is a contrast from the horrible congested streets below that used to be the only access to the international airport.



    This is first-world experience. Could you tell it's India ...



    In a few minutes, the brightly-lit Terminal 2 loomed past. What an impressive sight!



    And then jaw dropped. This is the second time I am here and yes, it's still a jaw-dropping sight as ever.



    At the drop-off kerb-area. Wow, look at those surreal twisted columns.



    I entered the building after the usual mandatory document check and I still found myself in awe.



    I went to the First and Business class reserved section at the extreme right of the building.

    It seems to have been nicely developed than the last time I was here. These futuristic pods were not there at the time. These are for waiting I believe.



    But gotcha, SQ is no longer in this section. I only saw counters for Cathay and Emirates there.



    SQ is now occupying the F counters and they have no special area for premium pax.

    Leave a comment:


  • SQueeze
    replied
    And cute cars .... (sob sob, these are becoming rare sights now)



    I ventured into the old Muslim district, which feels quite like another world apart from the British-built districts.







    And which is also where Hindu temples and mosques coexist peacefully and harmoniously.





    Ah, adorable fellow pedestrian.



    And then I also took the local commuter train to relive my younger days travelling as a backpacker in India. The destination was Chembur for my Ayurveda treatment, a 45 minute journey away from South Mumbai. I thought it would be faster than the taxi.





    But oops, it was a silly choice. It soon became very packed on that Sunday afternoon and I had my super-squeezed moments for 45 minutes.



    Haha. Not going to do that again. I returned back to the hotel by taxi after my treatment.
    Last edited by SQueeze; 12 January 2015, 08:22 PM.

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  • SQueeze
    replied
    But not for me that night, I would be in Mumbai for a couple of days.

    Some pics of Mumbai, my favourite Indian city and is the only one I think I can live in.

    View from my 23rd floor room of the Trident facing the Arabian Sea.



    Mumbai is not the first thing that tourists have in mind when they come to India but it has some real gems. It has no shortage of grand historic buildings inherited from the British which make Singapore feels like a small backwater village in the British Empire.







    It has a cathedral-like train station which is worthy of a World Heritage status.









    Like in most places in India, it has a fading dilapidated charm.



    Leave a comment:


  • SQueeze
    replied
    I boarded VT-JBY greeted by a very friendly FA. She was all smiles and enthusiasm, which was a pleasant surprise because more often than not Jet's crews are all pretty looks but rather cool in temperament.

    An interesting local drink was offered. It was something something... Pani (I know what Pani means and unfortunately that's the only thing I recall). She enthusiastically encouraged me to try and so I did. It's interesting - sweet but also slightly spicy and with a hint of salt. It's complex. I don't mind it because it perked me up and was refreshing but I am not sure if I could finish another glass.

    Cold towel was also offered. It was nicely presented, placed on a bamboo tray. The tray is new. It looks like Jet has upped / refined the service on their domestic flights in line with it going back to a full-service model. It's also perhaps in anticipation of competition with Vistara.



    Legroom is just ok. I think Row 2 will be better for next time so I can stretch my legs fully.



    And the hardware is rather tired-looking.

    Old style buttons. This is actually a 6 years old 737-900ER but the buttons look like they come straight from the 90s.



    Nah... Really doesn't look like a 6-year old.



    The seats are standard recliners similar to North American First Class. And these are flown regionally and as red-eyes. In fact this flight would continue to Riyadh and back that night.



    Indeed this product is light years apart from AI's 787 I took a few days earlier. But at least the crew is great.

    Looking out of my window - a Spicejet 737



    It's a short 50 minute flight so dinner was quickly served after take-off. It's stuffed kulcha (bread) with very tender and delicious murgh (chicken) tikka for me. It was really good. Again, I think Jet has improved their quality a notch compared to my earlier experiences. Well done.



    I still had some time left to browse through their inflight magazine.



    Jet's extensive code share network with big brother Etihad.



    And oops , what is this curved building. This is Mumbai's old terminal, no longer in use since February. Someone needs a kick in the butt to wake up from hibernation.



    Soon after, we landed on time and then taxied all the way to the international terminal since VT-JBY's next sector is Riyadh.

    On the way, we passed an Emirates Cargo 747. I never saw it before.



    And then we disembarked by stairs and everybody would be bussed 4 kilometers to the domestic terminal for baggage claim. So if I had had an international connection that same night, I would then have to bus back 4 kilometers. Haha. Even more ridiculous, if the connection had been for Riyadh.

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