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5Patel
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Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 117
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 Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 6:32 pm Post subject: FlyDubai - AMD-DXB-AMD - Economy |
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This is my first report so forgive me for any errors.
While taking my daily dose of Indian Aviation reading, I came across a post on Ajay Awtaney sir's "Live from a Lounge" blog about the FlyDubai's 25% discount offer.
We had a long pending holiday and my wife hadn’t been to Dubai (and last time I went there, Burj Khalifa was less than 80 floors tall), so I checked the fares and immediately booked the tickets for me and my wife - a net return economy ticket for Rs. 11,900 per person for Ahmedabad-Dubai sector ( + 100 per person per flight for selecting our seats). Fortunately FlyDubai does not need "OK to board" stamp on PNR at Ahmedabad and hence saved me a few bucks in visa cost.
11 November:
Flight : FZ 438
Aircraft : A6-FDJ (Boeing 737-8KN)
Scheduled Departure : 03:15
Scheduled Arrival : 05:10
Check-in at Ahmedabad was smooth at the counter. No web/kiosk check-in is available yet except for its home airport.
Boarding procedure started at about 2:45. I, as usual, chose the 3rd row from the back, and was the first passenger to board the aircraft. While others were boarding, Emirates EK 538 pulled in next to us.
The aircraft was surprisingly spotless, seat belts arranged properly, Duty free catalog and safety cards were in very good condition. However as with most low cost airlines there was just about 1" gap between my knees and the seat in front of me which I guess is fair for a 6' tall man. There was very little push back in seats. The IFE was a bit non-responsive. Free package included a flight map, some e-newspapers and duty free catalog. Music, Radio and TV show package was about 15 AED, while movies package was for 35 AED. I had no plans on using IFE as I had a long day ahead in Dubai and had to catch up on whatever sleep I could manage.
We settled down and started watching the chaos for overhead bin spaces. With everyone finally settled by 3:10, the rear step ladder removed and door closed, I thought we were ready for push back when the FAs started the headcount and counted 1 extra head. Then started repeated calls that the flight was bound for Dubai. What added to the chaos were about 6-8 empty seats and group of about 20 ladies on their first international tour. They had their seats all over the aircraft and had "adjusted" with other pax so that they can sit together. Having paid to pre-select my favorite seats at time of booking, I refused to change our seats and so we were right in middle of their group.
While I tried taking a quick nap, ground and flight crew did manage to find that poor guy and offload him. Finally the door closed and push back started at 04:30 and had a quick take-off.
The take-off and landing were smooth and the whole flight was uneventful except for the excited chatting of the ladies around me. Thankfully my ear plugs allowed me to get some sleep.
We landed at about 05:40 - just half hour late than our scheduled time and had a long taxi to T2. As usual, de-boarding, immigration, baggage retrieval and customs were quick and we were out of the terminal in about 45 minutes (with a few minutes spent on freshening up and some duty free browsing).
17 November:
Flight : FZ 437
Aircraft : A6-FEO (Boeing 737-8KN)
Scheduled Departure : 22:30
Scheduled Arrival : 02:30
Being at FZ’s home airport, I was hoping to check-in online and reach airport a bit later than my usual time but somehow the online facility didn’t work. There is no Metro to DXB Terminal 2 and there is no other connectivity to Terminal 1 or 3 (unless you have a connecting flight from those terminals) so took a taxi to DXB Terminal 2 and reached about 3 hours before STD. As expected, the kiosk check-in also didn’t work that day.
After quick check-in at the counter, immigration and security, we had some a burger at McDonald’s, shopped for customary chocolates at Duty Free and then it was time to relax and read till the boarding call was given at about 22:00.
Again, as usual I was the first passenger to board. Once again, the aircraft was spotless, seat belts arranged properly, Duty free catalog and safety cards were in very good condition and arranged properly, no signs of trash in seat back pockets.
This time, the push back was on time (22:33). Had to wait for 2 landings (1 EK A380 and 1 FZ B737), before taking off.
The flight was uneventful despite having the same ladies group around us again. They probably were too tired after their holidays or were out of their gossip stock.
Touchdown at Ahmedabad was probably on time. I was too tired and sleepy to note down the time. Baggage claim was relatively quick, immigration and customs took no time.
This was the first time anyone in my circle had traveled on FlyDubai. They usually traveled on Emirates, Indigo or Etihad. But for the price we paid, it was totally worth it. Comparing it LCC flights on my last international holiday, I would rate this experience somewhere between Malindo Air (COK-KUL-COK) & Jetstar/Valuair (DPS-SIN) and Air Asia Malaysia (KUL-SIN)
Unfortunately I was too tired/lazy to take any pictures at the airport or in the flight. |
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sumantra
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Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Mr.Patel, thanks for an amazingly detailed trip report! The brevity in word saw sentences full of information, which I lapped up, word-by-word, and also the descriptions of the talkative party of ladies was very interesting, yet not something anyone would look forward to! Yes, your detailed descriptions more than make up for the lack of pictures, and given the times of your flights, you would primarily have night views. The FlyDubai experience looks quite nice. I guess you and your wife caught up with your sleep both ways, but did you check out on the food-and-beverages buy-on-board offerings? (There I go, with my usual obsession: food).
We look forward to many form TRs from you!
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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5Patel
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Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 117
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| sumantra wrote: | I guess you and your wife caught up with your sleep both ways, but did you check out on the food-and-beverages buy-on-board offerings? (There I go, with my usual obsession: food).
We look forward to many form TRs from you!
Cheers, Sumantra. |
Thank you Sumantra sir.
As far as I could see from the last rows of aircraft, I dont think the crew managed to sell more 4-5 meals & beverages. There were probably 1-2 pre-orders. It was a red-eye flight with people like me (tourists & migrant workers) trying to catch up as much sleep as possible so that they can enjoy/work the full day in Dubai. Same on the return.
As for me, being a vegetarian, only good offerings for me were Pizza and Paneer wraps apart from chips and peanuts. But yes, your favorite Chicken Chettinad was not on the menu. |
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sumantra
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Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| 5Patel wrote: | | As for me, being a vegetarian, only good offerings for me were Pizza and Paneer wraps apart from chips and peanuts. But yes, your favorite Chicken Chettinad was not on the menu. |
He he...I guess you read my rantings in depth, to guess that I am a hard-core non-vegetarian on my air trips. This is somewhat of a sea change from someone who is primarily a vegetarian, and was a strict `Indian' vegetarian (no cakes since many of them contain eggs) for about a decade before he got married. However Sir, cheTTinADu is a way of cooking, primarily using exotic combinations of spices, and while the Chettiars of Tamil Nadu had mainly focussed on non-vegetarian items, there were some vegetarian delights as well. SpiceJet once had a delicious vegetarian cheTTinADu sandwich as well. I have regretted that the vegetarian fare on most airlines is primarily the North Indian vegetarian spread (true, it may be more amenable to reheats, so as not to spoil some delicate flavours), and apart from the traditional generic South Indian snacks (typically fried items), most airlines except Air India, do not attempt things more exotic.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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ameya
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Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 3671
Location: Pune,Maharashtra
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the TR. It was fun to read.
This change your seat request once came to TW&me on 6E when we were on row 13 !
Looks like FLy Dubai is going well to AMD.
Could you tell us more on that extra person on board ?
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5Patel
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Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 117
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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| sumantra wrote: | However Sir, cheTTinADu is a way of cooking, primarily using exotic combinations of spices, and while the Chettiars of Tamil Nadu had mainly focussed on non-vegetarian items, there were some vegetarian delights as well. SpiceJet once had a delicious vegetarian cheTTinADu sandwich as well. I have regretted that the vegetarian fare on most airlines is primarily the North Indian vegetarian spread (true, it may be more amenable to reheats, so as not to spoil some delicate flavours), and apart from the traditional generic South Indian snacks (typically fried items), most airlines except Air India, do not attempt things more exotic.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
I've only had just 1 opportunity of tasting Chettinadu cuisine. A friend's mom once invited us for dinner at their home. She was very kind enough to replace chicken with soya nuggets for me. Loved it even though I am borderline soya hater.
As for Air India, their food is the only incentive for me to book their flight. Love them or hate them but their steward aunties are the best. Flew on the oldest AI 747 VT-ESO "Khajuraho" for my honeymoon. My mood was totally killed on seeing the aircraft - torn, peeling and dirty carpets and seats, non functional IFE etc. Thats when one of the aunties noticed us (it was just 2 of us sitting in the last 7 rows of the aircraft), asked us if we wanted to sleep early, and so served us our late night dinner much before the meal service started and while we were eating, she lifted up the armrests of the empty middle seats, piled up the cushions on one side and made us a nice bed. We had a nice chat later and gifted her some chocolates. We really flew like a Maharaja on AI. But that was almost 2 years ago. Just wish everyone in AI and us enthusiasts and proactive flyers worked together and bring their glory days back.
As for SpiceJet, its one of the airline I closely follow but surprisingly I never had very less opportunity to fly on its aircraft. Most of my domestic flights are on 9W between RAJ & BOM (their monopoly route - daily 4 x 9W vs daily 1 x AI) or occasional 6E between from AMD to PNQ, CCU and DEL. However, I do get to book many SG flights for my parents (almost retired and loves traveling). |
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5Patel
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Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 117
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| ameya wrote: | Thanks for the TR. It was fun to read.
This change your seat request once came to TW&me on 6E when we were on row 13 ! |
Seat change request just once??
We delayed a SG flight once in 2010 for more than 30 minutes just because of this reason. Imagine the chaos for seat adjustments when you have a group of 85+ young college students travelling together for their "Study" tour. Everyone wanted to sit with their friends - "just good friends types", "BFFs", "sutta mates" etc... and away from the professors...
They even kept our baggage as ransom till we gave a written apology.
Pity on the remaining 15-20 passengers. That was the only SG flight I ever had.
| ameya wrote: | | Looks like FLy Dubai is going well to AMD. |
Yes the flight was almost full. Most of them seemed to be on a holiday with a few migrant workers and very less business travelers.
| ameya wrote: | | Could you tell us more on that extra person on board ? |
All I could get between my naps was that they (ground + flight) started checking the boarding passes of the people that looked less educated - migrant workers + people not proficient in English. From what I could get from a co-passenger at end of the flight, was that they found a Rajasthani guy (probably a cook) from somewhere in first few rows of economy who had mistakenly boarded this aircraft (donno how he managed that) instead of AI 131 bound for LHR via BOM. Cannot verify this as well as donno what action was taken against the guy and the gate staff. |
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sumantra
Member
Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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| 5Patel wrote: | | ...She was very kind enough to replace chicken with soya nuggets for me. Loved it even though I am borderline soya hater. |
Mmm...now you have me hungry. I love soya in all forms!
| 5Patel wrote: | | Flew on the oldest AI 747 VT-ESO "Khajuraho" |
Very interesting experience, Sir! I wish I got a chance to sample the refurbished B744s. Yes, I have also been very lucky to have some great crew (and cuisine, of course!) on board many a flight. Both can either make or break an experience.
| 5Patel wrote: | | Most of my domestic flights are on 9W between RAJ & BOM (their monopoly route - daily 4 x 9W vs daily 1 x AI) or occasional 6E between from AMD to PNQ, CCU and DEL. However, I do get to book many SG flights for my parents (almost retired and loves traveling). |
Please take some time out to write about your experiences, even if you have done a route many times. Each time is a different experience. I try to do this, even on the mundane routes, over and over again. RAJ-BOM is a route not covered on this forum. AMD-PNQ/CCU/DEL is also not a common routing for members here. You are lucky to have aviation savvy parents! Do tell us about their experiences as well.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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jbalonso777
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Joined: 05 Jul 2012
Posts: 1501
Location: Never, never land
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 10:37 am Post subject: |
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Great TR from you, thanks for sharing!
Nice to read about a unique airline on the route, FlyDubai!
Pity the lack of pictures though, but then again, I perhaps wouldn't be taking so many pictures after all!
PS - Sumantra sir: Chicken Chettinad available on all AirAsia India flights 
Regards
Jish
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sumantra
Member
Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| jbalonso777 wrote: | | PS - Sumantra sir: Chicken Chettinad available on all AirAsia India flights |
I guess I need to try them out, soon  |
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stealthpilot
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 2325
Location: BLR, DXB
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Nice TR thanks for sharing
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sri_bom
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Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 2365
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting.
Sri_bom |
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Nimish
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Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 9757
Location: Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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Nice TR - thanks for sharing. Sounds like the mid-night flights are quite horrible in terms of actually experiencing the flight - as the goal is to maximize sleep on board so you're more of a human at the destination!
FZ seems to be doing reasonably well - and catering to the VFR/ Tourist groups with fees for bags/ food etc. I wonder if they have any plans to start BLR?
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