According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, scoot means “to move swiftly”, but with the new Singapore Airlines subsidiary choosing to be named “Scoot”, I am not sure if they are hitting or missing the point. To me, it looks more like they are missing the point than getting it! Scoot, which was officially unveiled today, has been getting quite some press even before it took off. With this airline, Singapore Airlines wants to complete the loop of offering a choice of services to passengers. SIA being the full-service version, SilkAir being the regional version and Scoot being the medium to long-haul intercontinental version. The modus operandi is simple. The airline will operate in a 2-class configuration, and allow customization of most…
Do you know what a ‘Politician’ size sleeper suit is? Let me know…
This evening, I set out to recover the long lost account of my brother on Kingfisher Airlines since he never travelled with them in the past 4 years. Once we got on the website, the Update Profile section caught my eye. Usually a comprehensive portfolio review earns 500 miles so I thought, “why not?” However, this really had me in splits for a long while after… Pay attention to the drop down! So, basically, I am wondering what it feels like to have a Politician size sleeper suit. I am also wondering if the website designer for Kingfisher Airlines was playing a crude joke n his masters, or whatever happened here? Or maybe it is just me who is ignorant.…
Looks like I am up for a MegaDo!!!!
It was a test of technology that is now turning into a test of patience! This morning (late evening in India actually), I sat in front of my laptop waiting for the clock to strick 930 CDT. There were hints that the booking for the upcoming OW MegaDo in Jan2012 could start earlier than the 10AM deadline. Of course I was already envious of those who could have made it to the LAX launch party and had a right of first refusal to all seats on the plane. At roughly about 10 AM, the site started giving all the error messages which pointed to a huge rush. Despite the best efforts and intentions of the MilePoint team, MegaDo.com where the…
The Lounge that went missing at Mumbai Airport Terminal 1B
Before I became a Gold tier with Jet Airways, I used to frequent the Clipper Lounge in Mumbai’s Terminal 1B very often. This little oasis of calm was tucked away on the Mez floor of the terminal, and was used by Jet Airways before they laid their hands on the lounge inside the security hold area. Both the lounges on 1B were operated by Clipper, a contract lounge operator. Last week, on a flight to Delhi, I found myself the need to use the pre-security lounge again after long. I was not flying Jet Airways, but Indigo instead, and I needed to kill 45 minutes before boarding started. I found my way there after what seemed like a long time,…
Checked bag fee for the 2nd checked bag from India may be gone soon
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Commercial Aviation has took the initiative in stemming the practice of charging for the second checked bag by some foreign carriers flying from India. As per this news report, the aviation regulator has shot off a missive to all the carriers charging for the 2nd bag to revert to the pre-crisis practice of not charging for the first 2 bags, upto 23 kgs each. If implemented, this means the non-frequent traveler save a substantial amount of money taking their second bag over to the US, Europe etc. This will also take care of a disparity between the Indian carriers who still offer 2 checked bags of 23 kgs for travel to Europe and…
Jet Airways quietly introduces the B77W on Mumbai-Newark-Mumbai!
Update as of 12 Nov: Jet Airways has seemingly pulled back the plane to go to EWR, and right now only offering the 777 on BOM-BRU-BOM. — There has been much speculation about what was Jet Airways planning to do with the Boeing 777-300ER once they started collecting them back from Turkish, where they were gone on lease for a while. Jet Airways had already inducted one of these on the BOM-HKG segment earlier this year. The airline is now quietly introducing this prized possession on the BOM-BRU-EWR route two times a week with effect from 28 October 2011.I call it prized because of the First Class suites that are completely enclosed on these planes, and one of the best…
Last minute update for Diwali flying!
I am assuming a lot of the readers based in India are going to be criss-crossing the country over the next days to be with your family and friends for the festivities. Airfares are soaring, the airports are more like dignified waiting rooms but flying across is still the quickest way to make it. In case you are having a last minute change of plans or change of heart, here is a quick roundup of all the promos still running for you to be able to save some money on flying: Jet Airways: ‘Celebration Fares’ from Jet Airways are offering a 10% off on Base Fares + Fuel Surcharge for Roundtrip bookings and INR 200 for oneway bookings on Jet…
Hello 6E!
If that sounds like anything but an airline code, I would not blame you. But truth be told 6E is a sexy airline to fly. Okay, don’t get ideas here. They are professional, fun to fly with and honestly trying to get you to your destination in time, that is all! I haven’t flown much of Indigo this year, because I thought I was going to fly Jet Airways as much as I could. But with Jet chipping away member benefits of their frequent flyer program one by one, I saw reason to diversify. This has only been my third flight with Indigo this year, but I have another three segments booked up in the upcoming month, like I shared…
CNNGo: My new article on how to travel in India
This month, I wrote about how to find your way through the Mumbai Airport on a business trip. Check out my article for CNNGo Mumbai here!
How would you like it your meal was served in a matchbox?
On my flight on Indigo from Mumbai to Delhi, here is how I got my meal served! Guess what’s inside?
The next 5,000 miles!
While I am always ready to wheel-up on an international flight, the next few weeks are getting ready to get on a domestic flight, something I haven’t done in 3 months now. For the upcoming festive season, I am heading over to Delhi to be with my family. Right after is the inaugural F1 Grand Prix of India, which I am looking forward to. The last time I was at the first race in any country was 2008 in Singapore, and it is always quite an experience to be at one. Flying Indigo this time, and it is the first time after January 2011 that I get to fly one of their A320s. I head back to Delhi again on…
