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Akshay · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 315 Location: Mumbai

Hello Folks,

Posting on this forum after more than half a decade. Due to lack of time I could not be active here. I used to read the forum occasionaly to get a quick update of current happenings, thats it. Recently I flew BOM-DEL-BOM, so thought of returning here by trying to pen down a TR Very Happy

The TR will not have many pics. I fly very rarely, so I focussed on experiencing the flight rather than trying to click photos. Starting with the BOM-DEL leg.

This was an unplanned flight. I was booked to Delhi by train, but due to personal reasons I had to take a flight at 11th hour. The decision to try flight was taken on Tuesday, for a journey on Saturday provided fares were not sky high. I quickly checked the fares on MakeMyTrip app. Jet Airways' 5 pm flight, 9W-353, had a fare of Rs 4270 per person. That was a decent fare just 4 days before date of journey. I booked the ticket immediately, availing additional cashback of Rs 1200 as a part of an offer.

Fast forward to travel day. We (myself and my better half) reached the terminal 1B at around 3.15 pm, with lot of time to spare for the departure. We checked our flight status on the displays - it was on time. Then we proceeded to checkin counters. The queue was rather short and out turn came in around 5 minutes. Check in process was quick and efficient. Nothing to complain about there.

We then spent some time in the check in lobby area, freshened up and proceeded to security check at around 4 pm. Security took 5-10 minutes after which we took seats near our gate A02 which was on the upper level. The runway was busy, with a plethora of landings & takeoffs. Soon, an Indigo flight came and docked at the aero bridge of gate A02. That took me by surprise! Spotted a few landings and take offs during the wait. A few minutes later a Jet Airways staff came calling for passengers of my flight. The gate was changed to A03, the adjacent gate.

Boarding commenced at around 4.30 pm. Our bird was a Boeing 737-900, registration VT-JGC. We made our way towards our seats near the rear of the aircraft, stowed cabin luggage in overhead racks and made ourselves comfortable. The aircraft seemed neatly maintained. It was clean all around. Just the seat covers were slightly torn at some places. We had a window and middle seat.

It was almost 4.40 pm by the time we were seated. The crew went about completing pre flight formalities. Just before scheduled departure time, the flight deck crew announced that the flight was almost ready for departure, with just a few formalities pending. He also made a "special announcement for aviation enthusiasts on board", which had details like runway from which we would take off, our flight path, flight level etc. I was impressed! Luckily, the aisle seat besides our seats remained unoccupied.

Pushback was done well past the scheduled departure time of 5 pm. The engines spooled up after pushback, and we began to the eastern end of the main runway. The taxi was quick, and safety demonstrations took place while taxiing. We had to hold short of the runway, with a couple of Indigo & Jet flights ahead of us in the takeoff queue. After these took off, and a couple more landed, we turned onto the runway.

We waited for the previous flight to clear the runway, and then took off from the main runway westwards at around 5.30 pm. After gaining some altitude we turned right towards Delhi. A few minutes later the seat belt sign was turned off. It was announced that electronic devices could be used in flight mode. We had selected seats on the right side, as there would sunlight on the left side. Due to this we could keep our window shutter open. We continued enjoying the views outside.

Meanwhile the snacks service began. It took a while for the trolley to reach our seats. Both of us opted for vegetarian snacks. They consisted of a dish which seemed to be Ragda Pattice, and 3 pieces of Paneer Tikka. Paneer Tikka was average, while the other dish tasted good. I am unable to recollect whether a sandwich/cake accompanied the snacks. Icecream was served after snacks, followed by Tea/Coffee, which was watery as usual. The snacks were insufficient to fill our tummies.

The scenery below was quite interesting - there were lot of dams/reservoirs everywhere. We continued taking in the views. Shortly it fell dark. Only lights from villages could be seen now. Around the same time, beginning of descend into Delhi was announced. We steadily descended, and after what seemed like a holding pattern for a short while, we touched down on the runway. It was just past 7 pm when we touched down. That meant we were almost on schedule. While we were slowing down, I could spot a train on the adjacent railway line. After braking, we left the runway and headed to terminal 3. Our bags were to arrive on belt 5. We entered the terminal through aerobridge, and proceeded to baggage belts. After getting our baggage, we had a paneer roll at a coffee shop near the exit. Hunger satiated, we then proceeded to New Delhi station by the Airport Metro line for our onward journey.

Our return journey was by Air India. Hoping to get time to write about it soon!

Bouquets, brickbats on this one are most welcome Smile

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Nimish · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:32 pm Post subject:

^^ Welcome back Akshay - thanks for sharing the TR. Looks like you had an excellent flight on 9W and look forward to your return TR.
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We miss you Nalini!

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Wow, a trip report from one of the earliest members, and that too, a post after such a long time! Thank you, Akshay: in the midst, newbies such as Yours Truly have made merry on this forum. Very nice descriptions: I liked the food ones, specifically Smile

It is nice that you got to ride on a somewhat rare type, the B739. Your descriptions of sights out of the window, as darkness set in, sound beautiful: it reminds me of numerous trips on the same route, dreamily looking outside the window, soaking in the experience of an air trip.
We look forward to the return trip description, on AI!
Cheers, Sumantra.

Akshay · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 315 Location: Mumbai

Thanks Nimish & Sumantra.

@Sumantra sir,

I do know about your special interest in food from the trip reports I have read Smile

Here is a pic taken during our cruise:

Evening sky by Akshay Marathe, on Flickr
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MRVC Mania. My blog dedicated to the new violet-white suburban rakes of Mumbai.

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

ameya · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:01 am Post subject:

Nice TR Akshay !

Welcome Back Smile

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stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

Nice TR

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eP007

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Nice TR ameya, good to know a nice flight sparing the check in ... i really need to try this airline.