Review of Air India flight New Delhi → Melbourne in Economy

Air India VT-ANK AI308 DEL-MEL

Airlines: Air India [AI]
Flight : AI308 DEL-Mel
Reg : VT-ANK
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Dep - DEL : 1.30 pm
Arr - Mel : 6.00 am
Flight time : 11:10 hrs
Distance : 10215 km

Introduction

To read earlier report click => Air India VT-PPV AI866 BOM-DEL

This flight to Melbourne report continues…

Full Video Report : Air India VT-ANK AI308 DEL-MEL

Do watch the video.



After heading to bed early. Woke in the morning. packed my carryon bag.



Went for the buffet breakfast around 9 a.m.



Food options - Veg, non-Veg, Indian, Continental, Mediterranean,etc.

Dosa, Idli, Coconut and Tomato chutney



Lauki (Bottle Gourd) Halwa



Food was very well made. After a filling breakfast, it was time to clear the room and head down to catch the bus.



Bus was parked at the entrance by 10 a.m and once everyone was onboard, was on it's way to Airport.



Delhi Metro outside the hotel



Radison Blu Hotel



Street view



New line under-construction



Airport Express Metro



Bus view



Bus Ride video



Close to Airport



Arriving at the departure terminal gate




After disembarking from the bus, went to check-in counter to get boarding card for the Melbourne flight. I was made a request for window seat. I got exit row without a window.



Our group was met by the Air India representative who gave voucher for the Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney.

After collecting the voucher. Headed for the immigration and security.

Departure Gate



After filling the departure form, completed the immigration and security without and issues.

Departure Video



After passing security passed through the dutyfree shopping area.



Flight Schedule



Time was 11.30 a.m, with still time left for boarding. Had a look around the airport

Delhi Airport Terminal 3



Air side view

Domestic on one pier and International on other.

Domestic



International



Air India flights in action



Soon it was time for boarding. Walk to the gate



Gate 19

Flight would be departing from gate 19. Found a power point to charge my phone.



Boarding was called, queue was formed soon.



Waited for the queue to get over. Boarding card was scanned. Passport and Carry-on tags were checked.



Air India VT-ANK to Melbourne



Heading down the ramp.



AI's sistership VT-ANL



Close to boarding the flight.



Engine



Once on board, settled in the seat. This flight was full. Few passengers wanted to sit together, crew tried to shuffle a few. Was asked if i could take a middle seat in a row of 4. I declined. No way for a 12 hrs flight.



My neighbour was heading to Auckland, worked there in restaurant.

Exit row



Boarding was completed by 1.30. Captain came on board and informed that a flight would be delayed as they are waiting for a replacement crew.

While waiting, window view.



Crew came on board by 2.15 p.m. Flight was delayed by 45 mins.

Window view



Soon it was time for pushback. Crew had explained the emergency procedure. Crew buckled up in the opposite seat. After a short taxi, it was time for take-off.

After takeoff the windows were tinted. With the window darkened, there is hardly and view of the outside.



Entertainment screen



Flight map



Touch screen IFE



After about 1.5 hrs of flight. Drink were provided with peanuts.



Lunch/Dinner

After another hr, it was Lunch/Dinner.

Meal packaging



Option was veg and non-veg. I chose non-veg.

Meal: Veg Pulao, Chicken Curry, Veggies



After 4 hrs had another meal service.

Dinner packaging



Dinner: Chicken Biryani, Sweet, Bread and butter



After the dinner, lights were dimmed and it was time for rest. Snoozed off till near Australian shores.

Flight Map



Flight information



Breakfast

As flight about 2.5hrs from Melbourne, Breakfast was served.



Breakfast : Croissant, cake and Mango juice




Flight Map




Flight Information



Air India logo



Flight Map and Information



Descend in Melbourne

Announcement was made regarding spraying of disinfectant. Crew carried out the spraying in the flight.
Tinting was turned off by the crew.

Window view



Ontime Arrival

Flight departed late but arrived on time in Melbourne.



Arriving at the gate

Landed ontime in Melbourne, it was cold day.



Disembarkation



Air India VT-ANK preparing for return flight to Delhi



To immigration and quarantine



Headed for the immigration self check kiosk, entered details, took the ticket. Headed for the auto gate, took about 5 mins for the whole process. Stood in the quarantine queue, with nothing to declare was waved off. Met with fellow passengers who were going to Sydney. Headed back up to departure area of Qantas Terminal for Sydney ticket.

Thanks for reading this report till next time.

:)