I’m Flying Air India First Class… For 30 Hours!

By: Ben Schlappig

Published: December 31, 2015

92 comments

I have a new year’s resolution this year. Let me start by saying that I don’t usually make these resolutions, since they rarely work out. But in this case it’s a resolution about something I’m actually passionate about, and I’m excited to share the details step-by-step

My new year’s resolution? To review lots and lots of new first & business class products in 2016. Lots. Like more than ever before. And not just on mainstream airlines, but even on some lesser known ones.

Yesterday I explained that I’m flying Hainan Airlines roundtrip from Los Angeles to Changsha in February, thanks to the great business class fare they were offering.

Hainan-1
Hainan Airlines 787 business class

It’s time for my second big trip “revelation” of 2016. I’m flying Air India first class… finally! In mid-2014 I mentioned how I was considering reviewing Air India first class, given the lack of trip reports of the product. Unfortunately the trip never came to fruition.

Air India is an airline which has a really bad reputation. Heck, just this week an Air India flight turned around five hours into a flight because they spotted a rat on the plane… and that’s far from the first time that has happened!

British-Airways-Lounge-Chicago-20
Air India 777

So, what’s my routing? I booked using Avianca LifeMiles. They let you route from London to San Francisco via Delhi. You get charged based on the award cost between Europe and the US (87,000 miles in first class), so it’s cheaper than just booking Delhi to San Francisco, for example.

Air-India-Routing

For that matter it will let me sample Air India on two flights, including a daytime and nighttime flight (the latter being Air India’s longest flight, and also a new route).

Air-India-First-Class

As you’ll probably notice it’s a bit of a crazy routing, and LifeMiles is notorious for allowing some creative itineraries. In the past there were some opportunities for creative routings on premium carriers (like Lufthansa), though a vast majorty of those have been fixed.

I don’t mind sharing the above, because I can’t imagine many people will be rushing to book a journey going the long way on Air India. It’s perhaps the least tempting “mistake routing” you could take advantage of.

Regardless, I’m stoked about finally reviewing Air India. Here’s to hoping it’s half as good as the guy in this commercial claims it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNmNBFtj7HQ

If my experience with their call center to select seats is any indication, I doubt I’ll be impressed. And I figured a call center was something they could at least execute well…

For the outbound flight I’ll be flying Finnair’s A350 business class between New York and Helsinki, given that they’re operating it on the route for a limited time. I’ll then be connecting to London to start the Air India journey.

Finnair-A350-Business-Class-1
Finnair A350 business class

Bottom line

I’m really excited to finally try Air India, and see for myself whether it’s as bad as people have been saying. Hopefully I’m pleasantly surprised, though either way, I’m sure it’ll make an amusing review.

Stay tuned, because over the coming days I’ll reveal some of the other awesome itineraries I’m in the process of planning.

Am I crazy for voluntarily booking ~30 hours in Air India first class? Are you more excited to read about Finnair or Air India?

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Bawa Guest

January 19, 2016, 2:54 am

*Disclaimer* : I am an Indian. Personally I prefer flying AI on international routings as I usually fly catlle class, ie economy, and the seats are more comfortable especially compared to BA, LH, & Virgin economy. Havent tried their Premium economy products, so will not comment on those. The service on my flights has always been decent. And the cabin crew have without fail been smiling & pleasant to speak to. Yes, their landside service can leave a lot to be desired. @Lucky if you are visiting Mumbai, give us a shout. Would love to catch up. You also have an invitation to visit my house, as my is parallel to the landing path most planes use when flying into BOM. To those who get affected by "racist" comments, I have not seen anything racist in what Lucky has said. Stereotyping, maybe, but not racist

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Jared Guest

January 18, 2016, 5:53 pm

@MillionMiles nothing in the world is as slow as immigration in ORD, MIA, JFK or LAX including DEL. Actually cleared immigration in DEL in under five mins during a very busy period. On the other hand, spent an hour in ORD once for the same before global entry. Funny that you mention the lav. I never eat on planes and the one time I did on Delta one, my colleagues and I spent much time playing musical chairs around the lavatory. Thankfully delta paid for all medical expenses since their food was stale and compensated us for our miles and expenses for the trip. @lucky you'll be fine. Enjoy your travels to the subcontinent. If you need info from a fellow foreigner, please ask. Oh and do ask them to bring the food on a cart. They Love doing that. They usually do that and don't use the menus like most airlines based on my experience. On my flight, they even had a beautiful pineapple cake for my wife and myself!

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MillionMiles Guest

January 18, 2016, 10:25 am

AI's product is so poor -- and to subject yourself to 30 hours of it-- you're a masochist? It's a government airline and the employees act like they work in the post office. Air side should be okay, but land side, watch out. Nothing can happen quickly and service is a long forgotten idea that has been inverted into the customer is there to serve (as a piggy bank) the company. Remember my post office comment -- you're have 30 hours to reflect on this trip, quite possibly a lot of it in the lav.

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Chinmay Deo Guest

January 17, 2016, 9:32 pm

Lucky-I just read in the leading national newspaper in India today, that AI is discontinuing First class on DEL-SFO routes. I'd check with the AI call centre.

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Peter New Member

January 17, 2016, 6:34 pm

I'll raise a glass of Grande Siecle to your bravery as I'm cruising the A380 FRA-DEL in LH F next week. Hope to compare notes in the immigration line!

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