See I told you...

Don't recall the exact year and time, but I remember watching a news piece of when this Air-India flight was delayed by more than 18 odd hours and there was no food-accomodation provided to the passengers travelling. Pretty common news for an AI flight, isnt it??

The passengers took refuge at the transit stop and somehow made it back home. Back then, the TV crew made a hay-day capturing the intensely pissed passengers. There was this young lady with her young kid, who blasted profanities on the tele. Could Air-India be really this bad?

After all, the nations premier carrier ought some responsibility to build a image globally and quite logically should look to set achieve new higher milestones rather than receive abuses on live TV.

Keeping this incident at the back of my head, I booked my tickets to India somewhere in early May, for a travel in mid December. That is almost 7 months in advance. I had the option of going for British Airways at a slightly higher price, but I presumed Air-India, in todays highly competitive air-travel industry would be value for money.

Hence i booked what looked like a very good deal. Los Angeles to Frankfurt. A tiny stop for refueling and then to New Delhi. A tiny stop again and then to Mumbai. The return was using the same path. I got the paper tickets too. So I was all set. Or was I?

Today, my agent sent me an email. Saying, Air-India has cancelled flights from Los Angeles to Mumbai via the route I had booked. What could I say? Speechless!

For once, I went against my mind and took a bold decision. Believe me, it was not about $$, but I felt flying AI would be a good decision. And AI has proved that come what may, AI will always remain AI!!!

India may become the numero uno super-power, with all the power and might in the world, but our national carrier will always be a shame. Shame not for other people to laugh at, but for its own people to abuse and make a joke of.

Finally, I rebooked myself on a British Airways flight. And you wont believe this. I got a cheaper ticket. I also happen to be a BA Executive Class member, so the miles added on will enable me to procure one free trip soon.

Things always happen for the better dont they??

Lesson learnt:- NEVER EVER, I MEAN NEVER EVER BOOK AIR-INDIA WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD. ESPECIALLY IF IT IS YOUR WEDDING!!!

Cheers,
Ashley