Flight Review: Indigo A320N(Eco)|DXB to MAA & Experience of Chennai Airport New Integrated Terminal
Hi All,
In this report I am sharing my experience flying India's Indigo Airline(6E) international flight from Dubai, UAE to Chennai, India.
Indigo's used Dubai's Terminal1 as any other foreign airlines which uses the same, except Emirates and Flydubai. Dubai's Terminal1 is still neatly maintained, updated and is equipped with latest technology systems for immigration and security check. The main check-in area doesn't have departure gates, it is connected to the departure/satellite terminal through train frequently.
The departure area has duty free shopping, foreign exchange counters and some coffee shops. The cafeteria and First/Business lounges are located in the next floor of the departure terminal and it had decent options for food like Mc Donald's, KFC, The Draft House sports bar, etc.
I have taken many domestic flights with India's Indigo airline but this is my first international flight with them. As it is a low cost airline, I didn't have much expectation. Although Indigo is a low cost airline, they provide free baggage allowance of 30Kgs for international flights but they charge for seat selection except middle seats which is free. There is no IFE, in-flight meal is to be purchased on board and prebooking options in their website were also very limited, seats are thin but comfortable, legroom is decent, lavatories are clean, crew is very efficient in handling and providing services.
Now a days Indigo is connecting Delhi and Mumbai with Istanbul, Tbilisi, Bali and Nairobi which are flights with duration of 5 to 7 hours. Personally I might not prefer Indigo for such long duration of flights. They have even wetleased 2 Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airline for operating flight from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul which also has more than 500 seats.
This is also my first experience using Chennai's New Integrated Terminal building which was inaugurated in April 2023, all international flights and airlines started operating from this terminal from 1st July 2023. Chennai airport being operated and run by Government's Airport Authority of India(AAI), immigration was quick but had to wait for nearly 40 minutes for collecting my checked baggage. I observed that although the terminal is new, the equipment being used such as seating provided and trolleys for baggage was old and some were even broken. AAI should definitely improve it. Chennai's airport has very good connectivity to the city with options of metro, buses, etc. Recently a mall with multiplex was also opened which is named as Aerohub.
As I had to take another domestic flight, I had opportunity to use the Travelclub Lounge in Chennai domestic terminal. Service and seating in the lounge were good, there were decent options of food available but the taste was average.
Do watch the full video and comment on it.
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