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ameya · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:35 pm Post subject: BOM-IDR on S2 - today

Since the time I have joined the airline industry, I have resisted myself from typing in a TR because most of my trips are official visits and I dont feel its write to have a TR for the airline you work, one reason being you cannot really bad mouth it Smile

This was a trip to Indore from Mumbai, which happened today evening.
I have to be in Indore for a family function tomorrow morning and had work till today evening, so the only option was Jetlite. This airline also happened to be the one which I have not travelled at all, even during Sahara days I have not travelled, so i decided to opt for it, so that I could complete travelling on all airlines in India, barring the Jagsons and MDLRs.

Booked myself for S2-383 BOM/IDR dep @ 1845 from BOM. The ticket was relatively cheaper, around 3k when I booked about 20 days in advnace. Surprising because KF has pulled out of this market and hence S2 remains the only player in the evening.

Reached airport around 16:30hrs, because of the security alert in Mumbai the checking was strict and the lines long, besides this was the Xmas weekend so there were many people travelling.

Went inside and the lines at 9W/S2 counters were very long. Luckily, two days ago I had got an email from them saying I can now web check in which I had done and selected 2A as my seat for the journey, so headed to the desk where they stamp the printed boarding pass and went ahead with security formalities.

A big family travelling to AMD on 9W-K flight messed up with the CISF there, with all 7 male members going and standing in front of the CISF guy at once, a scene followed and 9W staff had to intervene.

Soon I cleared security, picked up a few newspapers, saw some news about raids on Kalmadi's house and wat not and headed to the CCD outlet on the 9W/S2/6E side of the terminal 1B departures. Got a nice place to sit with airside view and it was a dream, sandwich, coffe and planes.

The secondary runway operations were still on and could see how they shift from secondary to main runway where in, landings start first on Main rwy, and take offs still take place from secondary and slowly the secondary is closed for full main rwy operations.

I was skeptical about the flight being on time, because few flights of 9W were running late, which included those to BLR and CCU. 6E had a flight which was late, and two of its flights to DEl departed at the same time.
Go Air was delayed by few hours and so was spicejet, and it was a big scene on the other side of the terminal with CISF being called in.

Around 18:00hrs they announced boarding for my flight and I was elated. Headed straight for the counter, no. 012 and got into the BEST busses bought under JNNURM and the aircraft was at bay 3, near the gate which you see while coming to T1B at BOM.
It was VT-SIV,
a B737-700, manufactured in 1999 and around 11 yrs old.
This was my first trip by a Boing in over 2 years .

Settled in my seat 2A, and realised the tapering front of the B737s v/s the A320s which has a roomier cabin. The way to get into the cabin was also not as friendly as the new generation B737s and A320s. Its kinda closed as compared to A320s single class.

Settled in the seat and boarding was done by 1830. Push back was at 1836 and we were airborne by 1850 from rwy 27, taxing all the way from there.
Saw a IL 76, B747 of AI, Saudia B777, EK B777, El Al( 767? ) a couple of 9W A330s and 737s.

Take off was smooth and we headed right and onwards and landed at INdore in 1hr04mins. This was my first landing at Indore. there was another bird VT-JCC, ATR 72 at IDR. They have good no. of bays and a new terminal building is coming up.

The landing was not that great with the aircraft touching right at the beginning of the runway and a hard landing. For a long time I thought we would undershot and was ready to find the nearest exit, which was near.

The inflight service was limited and I realised its a little expensive than 6E & G8, but it was quick, not many purchased anything.

The flight was full, only 3 seats were vacant as per the crew.

OTP - 5/5
Cleanliness - 4/5
Service -4/5
Food - 3/5 ( I had a can of coke and sandwich)

Overall I might think of taking Jetlite again, but if the route has IndiGo at similar timings I would prefer 6E, because of its cleaner aircrafts and newer aircrafts.

Hope to find time to write for the return journey as well.

Sorry dint have any pics to share. Hope you like this small write up

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

Nice TR, Ameya! I like the personal touch you have added to this report.
I wonder how the CISF react to people taking pictures in T1-B at BOM.
Yes, given the time of your journey, the light around would have been disappointing to take a few clicks.
Looking forward to the return trip report.
Cheers, Sumantra.

GuyFromBOM · Member Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 544 Location: VABB

Good report..!

Enjoyed reading it and awaiting for the report for the return leg...
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The more I fly 9W, the more I prefer AI | FlightDiary: 59 Boeing + 30 Airbus + 9 ATR + 1 Embraer

Nimish · Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

Nice TR Ameya - thanks for posting. Good to see a full flight, though I guess it's no surprise given the start of vacations. Hope you have a good return sector as well!
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stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

Nice TR, I flew 9W/9W-K a few days ago and it was my first 737 flight in 2 years as well.
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