JoeGoaUk's Point of View: Come Fly with me Delhi-Bombay-Goa

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watch this video
Sky experience - Flight take off, landing etc (watch it in full screen/HD)

video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiIZ-q666fk
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk43/6100892518/sizes/l/

It was a last minute decision to visit Delhi at Ramlila Maidan.

Upon checking the latest info on the net at 10pm (just incase, Anna break his fast), immediately decided to leave early morning to catch the first available flight to Delhi from Goa.

Actually, ticket to Delhi were showing up around Rs.6,500 on Go-Air, Rs. 7000 on
Air India ans Rs.8,500 on Kingfisher Airlines when last checked at 9.30pm

Yet, we did not buy ticket online just in case it was heavy raining in the morning etc.
We thought of buying it at the Airport Counter.

We arrived there at 5.30am. Straight went to Go-Air counter but ticket are for Rs.9000.
Then we headed to International dep. Terminal – Kingfisher says Rs.18,000 where as Air India says Rs.23,000.
No prize for guessing which flight or Airline we took to Delhi. I am sure, you guys learn from this too and that’s the reason I am sharing my experience with you on this air travel episode. So, you know now that the tickets always cost higher at Airport.

Note: Ticket to Goa-Delhi can cost as low as Rs.5,000 if bought say one month ahead
There were some showing up at Rs.3,834 travelling mid November 2011 on Indigo and spicejet. Checked at the time of wrriting this, AM of 1st Sept. 2011
It says Base fare Rs.100 only but fees and surcharges Rs.3,784

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk43/6100888242/sizes/l/

Well, I haven’t eaten whole day & night nor any breakfast on the day of the journey.
I could eat something at the Airport Departure lounge though e.g. Sandwich Rs.100, Coffee Rs.40, Single Samosa Rs.40 etc but then again I thought wait for another 30 minutes and I might get it free onboard flight to Bombay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk43/6100951022/sizes/l/

Well, 45 minutes later, I regretted not having anything at the lounge for there was nothing coming free onboard, not even water.

Next, as we had about an hour to spare in the transit, we went to a cafe (Airport Lounge). There I saw some big fat samosas each priced at Rs.60.
I said ‘Can I have a single samosa and cup of coffee please!’
‘Sorry, two pieces per plate, we do not give single piece (samosa)’ said he.
I said forget about the samosa ‘just give me coffee’.
I had coffee and the bill was Rs.90.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk43/6100332541/sizes/l/

Then, it was time to board Delhi flight which would take about 2 hours to complete the journey.

Onboard, I am starving. Nothing served complimentary. One has to pay even for water. Rs.20 per smaller bottle.

Seeing that some crew members carrying some meals trays in their hands, I asked one
‘How much for the meal tray?’ She said ‘Rs.220’. Can I have one please!
There came a tray (a typical meal tray that any airlines serve, see pic).
It had hot but dry omelette, 2/3 pieces of chicken tika, some potato stuff, a square bowl of cut fruit pieces, a croissant, a muffin, Jam and butter- see pic. No where I could see a Ketchup sachet to go with the hot-dry omelette. Nor I could see any packed cup of water or juice. I had to buy a water bottle for Rs.20 500ml.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk43/6100883944/sizes/l/

If I had to serve my guests the same meal and at the same time saving money on it, I would take off Jam and butter and replace with water - Water must always go with the meals.
So, next time you order a meal, make sure to see there is water if not buy one.
Don't wait until something get chocked / stuck to your throat and then press 'flight attendant' button for water etc..

In Delhi, like a hungry horse, I ate one full Tandoori (my favourite) and one full Biryani & one full sour or 'sur' or toddy flavoured kingfisher beer (never taste the same as Goa KF).

On return journey, the tickets again cost us Rs.9000 each on Jet, booked online via an agent. That was the cheapest to travel on the same day.

And we really did not expect the same treatment on board Jet as Go did.
9W 2205 / G8 180.
There was nothing complimentary on offer on Jet too.

I asked, can I have a bottle of water please?

She came back with a glass of water, then I asked ‘how much do I pay?’

'That’s complimentary' said she.

We also bought a can of juice (imported Del monte from Philipines)
Rs.50 and a cashew nut packet Rs.40 a good value for money- see pic)