Review of Air India flight Sydney → New Delhi in Economy

I had planned to travel to Mumbai, India in Sept 2015. Wanted to reach Point A to B faster as I had limited time. There are many options but decided to give a try with Air India.

I had flown with AI during 1980's and then domestically within India. Wanted to fly the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

This was my first time travelling through Delhi hub. I had many questions about travelling on Air India via Delhi, searched the Web, Youtube. Nothing useful.

Hope this travel report is informative for those wishing to fly with Air India.

Full Trip Report HD Quality



Below is the detailed report.

Airport Parking

Started from home at 6.30 in the morning. The drive to the airport was busy with traffic on the motorways. Reached airport around 7.30 and then spent another 20-25 mins looking for parking. Finally found a parking spot.

It was a beginning of running everywhere till I reached my destination.

Parked



I reached the counter around 8.10 am. Check-In had commenced and there was a queue of about 20 ahead of me.

Check-In



Getting closer



Took about 30 mins for my turn. When it came, my check-in bag weighed 19.5 kgs, well below the 30 Kgs allowed. Staff checked my visa to India, handed boarding cards for Delhi and Mumbai flight, Gate number told and wished me pleasant flight.

I wanted to claim GST, had completed the documentation online using the app, GST service stopped 30 mins prior to gate closing.

It was time for immigration, the place was packed with queue closer to the door. I was directed towards the e-immigration. The machine was running slow, there were 3 people ahead of me. The machine malfunctioned, had to change the queue. Took 30 mins for the whole process.

Security queue took time, had a full body scan. By the time I was out of immigration and security, it was 9.30

I checked the GST counters, was packed. flight closing time was in 10 mins, decided to skip the GST and head for the gate 28. While walking towards the gate, I heard my name called out along with few others. On getting closer, realised it was a bus gate Which meant taking the escalator down. The escalator was not working, another round of brisk walk. Other flight passengers waiting too. I showed my boarding pass and was put on a bus.Many of the passengers were transitting heading for India to Bangladesh, Nepal and Europe. An acquaintance was flying to Milan with AI in the following week of my travel.

Bus ride [Video]



Air India VT-ANU in "Star Alliance" livery



Boarding the bird



Boeing 787-8 Wings



Boarding was through stairs. The flight was full with no empty seats. My seat was occupied by a couple. They moved when I told them, the seat is allocated to me.

Settled in my seat



Seat was stocked with water, blanket and headphones.

Seat amenities



Cabin Announcement



Air India Maharajah



Aircraft features video



Cabin features



Waiting for pushback



Pushback was delayed by 45 mins. Departure time 10.30 a.m

Taxi to runway



Aircraft was parked close to runway at a remote bay.

Taxi to runway



Actual departure was 10.45a.m due to air traffic in Sydney. China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Garuda departed ahead of AI.

Departure



Airborne, shades were darkened



Inflight View



Sydney Airport Aerial view



Inflight Magazine



Announcements



Legroom



Cabin



It was around midday, the window tint blocks the sun rays.

Window view



Air India - member of Star Alliance



After reading the reviews online, I had decided to use the toilet in the earlier part of the flight. I used them later too, they were kept clean. Part of the problem are the type of passengers, won't write more about this.

Toiletries



Inflight Entertainment



Cabin View



Safety Card



Maharajah - Air India Mascot



Passengers busy with onboard entertainment.

Entertainment



Flight path



Shubh Yatra [Happy Journey] - Inflight magazine



Air India Fleet information



Air condition



Mid-Day Tinted Window



Breakfast was served within 1 hr of departure.I was hungry as I didn't get time in the morning to have breakfast.

Option was Veg and non-veg. I opted for the non-veg.

Breakfast Presentation



Breakfast - Omlette and Sausage



Breakfast



Trays were cleared after the service within reasonable time.

Empty tray



Flight Information



It was time for entertainment. watched a few episodes to Big Bang. Then 2 Broke girls.

IFE control



Sitcom time



2 Broke Girls



Inflight Entertainment



Leg space



Used the leg massage roller. Felt good. Unlike on SQ, these don't hog your leg space.

Roller



Rego - VT-ANU



In about another 2-3 hrs, drink service

Drink Service



Air India Logo



Headphones



Had enough of entertainment, flying somewhere over Western Australia, it was time to snooze. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Blanket



Must have slept for 3-4 hrs, checked the flight information.

Close to the midpoint of journey



Decided to watch a movie to pass time.

Movie time



Flight Information



It was lunch time soon - lunch was served Indian mid-day time.

Lunch service had began.

Lunch Service



Lunch presentation



Option was veg and non-veg. Chose the non-veg option. It was pasta and separate chicken curry.

Lunch



Lunch



Avoiding the thunderstorm clouds.

Window view



Window view



Flight location



Day-night map



Flight map



Closer to India



Window control released by flight crew



Snack was provided 2hrs prior to landing

Snack packing



Snack- Croissant and cheese with fruit salad



Food was tasty, I didn't eat the fruit salad.



Snack



Closer to Delhi, flight was 1 hr late.

Flight path



Approaching Delhi



Landing soon



Landing



Arrived at gate at 6.50p.m. It was warm outside, sweating and worrying about my connection.

Arrived at gate



Disembarked it was already 7 pm. I was worried about missing connecting flight to Mumbai. Ground staff was waiting at the gate for AI-International-domestic flights and international connecting passengers. I had to complete immigration, collect bag, pass customs and re-check my bags, get gate number for the flight. Walked briskly to the immigration.

Towards Immigration



There were 4 people ahead of me, immigration staff took their own time in the queue I was waiting in. Another 15 mins lost. Showed my visa to India, had passport stamped. Had to show passport stamp before being let out to collect bag.

Bag didn't take long. I was rushing towards Green Channel when Customs guy asked where I was coming from. I said "Sydney". He let me pass without stopping.

I headed to the Transfer Check-In, it was 7.30. Showed my boarding card and passport to security. I was the only one to Check-In. Didn't take long Counter staff checked my bags and told me to go level 2 for departure for the next flight to Mumbai.

I hope you enjoyed the trip, Thanks for reading. :)