Review of Air India flight Mumbai → New Delhi in Economy

Air India VT-PPV AI866 BOM-DEL

Flight Details

Airlines: Air India [AI]
Flight : AI866 BOM-DEL
Reg : VT-PPV
Aircraft: Airbus A321-211
Dep - BOM Terminal 1A [Actual]: 11.05 am
Arr - DEL Terminal 3 [Actual]: 12.55 pm
Flight time : 1:50 hrs
Distance : 1,139 km

Introduction

This trip was undertaken in Sept 2015. You can read the last trip report by clicking here -> Air India : Delhi - Mumbai .

I had fear travelling with Air India Internationally due to delay. Last flight was a close call. This time, my fear came true. I did prepare for this as I was travelling on a Saturday.

This trip report is the return leg of Sydney with a twist.

No report can be complete without living it. Below is the video.

Full Video Report : Air India VT-PPV AI866 BOM-DEL

Do watch the video



Arriving at the airport

Took the Chembur - SantaCruz Link road to arrive on the Western Express Highway



Streetview



Western Express Highway

Being early morning traffic was light, reached airport withing 45 mins.



Airport Tower



Terminal 1A

Air India operated most of its domestic flights through this terminal as the Terminal 2 was still under-construction.



Check-In

Since I had arrived much earlier. Check-in was quick, being Saturday it was not crowded.



Since I was travelling to Sydney. had my baggage check-in but had to clear security and immigration during transit through Delhi.

After completing security. Headed for the food court to have a coffee.

Food Court



Mumbai aircraft spotting



Plane spotting video



After spending sometime spotting. Soon was time for departure. Being my first time through this terminal, decided to get to gate early.

Terminal Shops



Heading to gate video



Flight was departing through gate A9.



Way to gate A9



Flight Schedule



Board displayed Security Call

Watching the Indicator board



Waiting Area

Waiting for the boarding call.



Gate Change

The aircraft had arrived from Goa and was docked at the gate. Since there was no boarding call made passed the schedule departure, passengers were informed the aircraft had a technical problem.

After waiting for an hr and the issue could not be fixed a change of aircraft was to happen.



Bus Boarding

The replacement aircraft was parked at the remote gate, A bus boarding was



Bus Trip view



Bus Trip Video



Enjoyed the bus trip. Remembered the first time travelled through Mumbai Airport on Gulf Air Lockheed L1011 Tristar at 5 am to Doha via Abu Dhabi in Jan 1980 which was parked next to a British Airways Tristar. Wish had a camera like today. Anyways back to present.

Boarding Gate 81

Boarding was at remote gate 81



Juiced up

Aircraft was being refuelled



Catering truck



Boarding had commenced at 10.30 a.m. With no indication of departure was getting worried this could mean a missed flight. There was nothing much I could do so continued with watching the action outside.

Window view



After the fuelling and catering was loaded. The pilot came on board and announced that the flight would be departing soon and the flight was delayed due to technical problem with the original aircraft.

At 11a.m pushback commenced. Passengers were informed that Air India Delhi is aware of the delay and connecting passengers would be able to catch their flight.

Pushback



Taxi to runway 27



Flight was lined behind a Emirates Cargo



Incoming flights



Emirates ready to depart



Next in line AI866 to Delhi and Sringar



British Airways arrives



Departure roll



Terminal view on take off



Window view



Heading north of Mumbai



Flight Information



Seat view



Air India logo



Flight path



Reading material



Air India fleet information



Air India route map



Safety Card



Flight Information



Headphones

Headphones were supplied



Newspaper

Newspaper was provided



Breakfast Sevice

Breakfast meal service was started half an hour after departure. Option was veg or non-veg.



I had a breakfast earlier at the airport. Had the breakfast as I wasn't sure if would get time later. Wise decision.

Food was tasty, finished it.

Breakfast : Omelette, fried potatoes, capsicum, fruits



Went to the back and checked with the crew about the delay. Was informed there are other passengers who are connecting and pilot had informed the ground staff regarding the transit passengers.

Cabin View



I went back to seat relaxed thinking should be there just in time.

Flight Map and Information



Clean India Program



Closer to Delhi



Approaching Delhi



Landing



Taxi to gate



Landed around 12.45 pm. Was ready to burst out when the gate opened.

Disembarkation

Air India VT-PPV will be heading to Srinagar



On arriving at the transit desk for Sydney flight. Was informed that could not go for security and immigration clearance as the baggage could not be transferred and captain didn't want to delay the flight.

Transfer Desk



Had to go and collect the bags from the carousel



Baggage collection



After collecting the bags came back to the transfer desk. Due to the delayed flight, connection to Sydney, Paris, Kathmandu and connection to Auckland were missed. Then it was waiting till arrangements were made.

No one argued with ground staff. Everyone was calm, they did what they had to do even though Air India could have provided better coordination with the flight staff.



Since Air India does not fly daily to Sydney. Were offered to be flown to Melbourne next day and then onwards to Sydney by Qantas. Hotel was arranged by 2.30 pm and headed for the exit.

Delhi Airport Exit



Outside view



Bus view

Boarded the bus to Radisson Blu Hotel in Dwarka



Bus ride



Delhi air control



Outside view



Arrived at the hotel got check in to the suite.

Hotel view



After resting for sometime. Went for the buffet.



It was time for socialising and finding more about the flight next morning to Melbourne. We were informed that the bus would pick-up at 10a.m for the 1p.m flight.

Radisson Blue Hotel video



After dinner went to bed for a long flight next day.

Thanks for reading this report till next time.

:)