Airliners-India

busintheair · Member Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 273 Location: BOM

Well this is my first trip report Smile

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Sector : BOM-HYD
Airline : Kingfisher Airlines
Aircraft : Airbus A320-232(Dual cabin)A/C reg.: VT-KFK
Flight no.: IT 163
Date: (Jan2008)
Class: Economy
Scheduled Time of Departure:15.35
Actual Time of Departure:16.20
Scheduled Time of Arrival:16.50
Actual Time of Arrival:17.15

At 1pm, we got a call from KF saying that our flight was rescheduled to 4pm, couldn't question why, as it was pre-recorded message. Even though it was delayed we set out early to the airport , but thanks heavy traffic jams(on the roads) we reached the check-in counter just 25mins before the STD , the checkin agent, as usual made some fuss, but we managed to sort it out. Wink

We immediately went in for the security check, and I finished off early, but mom was held up in the ladies queue for a long time. Meanwhile I took this opportunity to gaze out of terminal 1A and noticed that the last taxiway on the runway 09 end was being demolished with some excavators with pneumatic rack-hammer heads. I wanted to click a snap from my N72, but I thought it would be wise to ask that CISF guy standing next to me, he was like in two minds, he said clik from the other side but then he said why you want to uneccessarily take,it is not allowed. I said forget it and continued to capture with my eyes:).
The csia fellows had barricaded half the terminal with wooden walls with a poster with 'sorry for the inco.,csia is is being expanded'!
Finally after getting to the aerobridge level; I had a glimpse of our beautiful a/c. In about 15mins we were called in; proceeded to my seat and started clicking away;

Then the Capt. as usual came on the cabin address system and said the delay was due to VABB's closure for a few hours for runway maintainence.
He also mentioned that we would be flying over the cities of Pune,Solapur,Gulbarga.
We started out the pushback and began the taxi roll to runway 27 via taxiway 'Alpha4' and waited for a biz jet(reg, N*****) to rotate off and a 9W 738 to land.
Finally it was our turn,the IAEs began roaring and our a/c's take-off roll lasted for some 35~40secs. After the thrust reduction alt., we turned over south Mumbai to join PUN VOR as our 1st waypoint. 10mins into the flight, food et al was served, MENU:(VEG)1 micro pav with bhaaji! Paneer(cottage cheese) with barbq sauce.1 chocolate truffle pastry. Food was fine but less quantity :p.But thats fine. Wink

Btw; the lime juice was very nice.
We cruised at FL290.40mins into the flight, speed brakes were deployed and we descended into HYD. And made a straight-in approach into runway 09 at HYD. The landing was a 'kiss', even thought its a VOR/DME runway-which the A320s autloand d/c at 50ft and a manual flare happens.
Soon we slowed down, and the pilots made a beautiful 180 degree turn within the runway's width and backtracked and exited th r/y.
We had to wait to taxi into a non-aerobridge stand as a 9W 737 was being pushbacked, I could make out that the 9W pilots were checking the control surfaces. Side-by-side a SG 738 (VT-SPF) made superb touchdown on runway 27 ; after it an ancient looking prop(not sure if its IAF) took-off from r/y 09.

Once we docked into the stand, the SG 738 too taxied into the bay next to ours. It took a full 10mins for everyone on our a/c to disembark,as usual I asked the F/A if I could meet the capt. ,but sadly both the Capt. & F/o left , but she took me the cockpit and said 'this is just between you and me that I am letting you in here,so don't click pix' . Forget pix, I was more than happy to see the beautiful A320 flightdeck.I was telling that i am trying to get in that right seat soon,then she said hope to see you here soon. Wink

Got into our bus which was awesome inside with nice seats & an a/c.
Saw AI's A310- VT-AIA 'Tapti'.

The baggage too came early.And we ended our 'Good times with KFA'.

Verdict: I'll fly again.
Out of 5*s-->>>***1/2

This was quite special to me as, it was the last I would land in HYD Begumpet, as in March ,the new apt at Shamshabad will takeover.
New HYD apt to have a shuttle bus service to strategic points in the city.And cost to be less than 100INR, will have wi-fi in the buses.

Hope you all liked it!
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avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Good report , I thought everyone gives KF a 100% rating Wink

busintheair · Member Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 273 Location: BOM

Thanks, i gave 3&1/2*s as the delay was almost an hour. But i'll go with KF next time compared to IC as my return on IC sucked. Can't say abt. 9W as I haven't travelled by it till now.