Air India VT-PPV AI866 BOM-DEL Flight DetailsAirlines: Air India [AI]
Flight : AI866 BOM-DEL
Reg : VT-PPV
Aircraft: Airbus A321-211
Dep - BOM Terminal 1A [Actual]: 11.05 am
Arr - DEL Terminal 3 [Actual]: 12.55 pm
Flight time : 1:50 hrs
Distance : 1,139 km
IntroductionThis trip was undertaken in Sept 2015. You can read the last trip report by clicking here ->
Air India : Delhi - Mumbai.
I had fear travelling with Air India Internationally due to delay. Last flight was a close call. This time, my fear came true. I did prepare for this as I was travelling on a Saturday.
This trip report is the return leg of Sydney with a twist.
Full Video Report : Air India VT-PPV AI866 BOM-DEL No trip can be complete without living it. Do watch the videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdlOtKZaWTwArriving at the airportTook the Chembur - SantaCruz Link road to arrive on the Western Express Highway
Western Express HighwayBeing early morning traffic was light, reached airport withing 45 mins.
Terminal 1AAir India operated most of its domestic flights through this terminal as the Terminal 2 was still under-construction.
Check-InSince I had arrived much earlier. Check-in was quick, being Saturday it was not crowded.
Since I was travelling to Sydney. had my baggage check-in but had to clear security and immigration during transit through Delhi.
After completing security. Headed for the food court to have a coffee.
Food CourtMumbai aircraft spottingPlane spotting videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVlyK_0waq4Terminal ShopsAfter spending sometime spotting. Soon was time for departure. Being my first time through this terminal, decided to get to gate early.
Heading to gate videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXulq8-KWaYFlight was departing through gate A9.
Way to gate A9
Flight ScheduleBoard displayed Security CallWatching the Indicator board
Waiting AreaWaiting for the boarding call.
Gate ChangeThe aircraft had arrived from Goa and was docked at the gate. Since there was no boarding call made passed the schedule departure, passengers were informed the aircraft had a technical problem.
After waiting for an hr and the issue could not be fixed a change of aircraft was to happen.
Bus BoardingThe replacement aircraft was parked at the remote gate, A bus boarding was
Bus Trip viewBus Trip Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LumM3r0k_zwBoarding Gate 81Enjoyed the bus trip. Remembered the first time travelled through Mumbai Airport on Gulf Air Lockheed L1011 Tristar at 5 am to Doha via Abu Dhabi in Jan 1980 which was parked next to a British Airways Tristar. Wish had a camera like today. Anyways back to present.
Boarding was at remote gate 81
Juiced upAircraft was being refuelled
Catering truckBoarding had commenced at 10.30 a.m. With no indication of departure was getting worried this could mean a missed flight. There was nothing much I could do so continued with watching the action outside.
Window viewAfter the fuelling and catering was loaded. The pilot came on board and announced that the flight would be departing soon and the flight was delayed due to technical problem with the original aircraft.
At 11a.m pushback commenced. Passengers were informed that Air India Delhi is aware of the delay and connecting passengers would be able to catch their flight.
PushbackTaxi to runway 27Flight was lined behind a Emirates Cargo
Incoming flightsEmirates ready to departNext in line AI866 to Delhi and Sringar
British Airways arrives Departure roll Terminal view on take offWindow viewHeading north of Mumbai
Flight InformationSeat viewAir India logoFlight pathReading materialAir India fleet informationAir India route mapSafety CardFlight InformationHeadphonesHeadphones were supplied
NewspaperNewspaper was provided
Breakfast ServiceBreakfast meal service was started half an hour after departure. Option was veg or non-veg.
I had a breakfast earlier at the airport. Had the breakfast as I wasn't sure if would get time later. Wise decision.
Food was tasty, finished it.
Breakfast : Omelette, fried potatoes, capsicum, fruits Went to the back and checked with the crew about the delay. Was informed there are other passengers who are connecting and pilot had informed the ground staff regarding the transit passengers.
Cabin ViewI went back to seat relaxed thinking should be there just in time.
Flight Map and InformationClean India ProgramCloser to DelhiApproaching DelhiLandingTaxi to gateLanded around 12.45 pm. Was ready to burst out when the gate opened.
DisembarkationAir India VT-PPV will be heading to Srinagar
On arriving at the transit desk for Sydney flight. Was informed that could not go for security and immigration clearance as the baggage could not be transferred and captain didn't want to delay the flight.
Transfer DeskHad to go and collect the bags from the carousel
Baggage collectionAfter collecting the bags came back to the transfer desk. Due to the delayed flight, connection to Sydney, Paris, Kathmandu and connection to Auckland were missed. Then it was waiting till arrangements were made.
No one argued with ground staff. Everyone was calm, they did what they had to do even though Air India could have provided better coordination with the flight staff.
Since Air India does not fly daily to Sydney. Were offered to be flown to Melbourne next day and then onwards to Sydney by Qantas. Hotel was arranged by 2.30 pm and headed for the exit.
Delhi Airport ExitOutside viewBus viewBoarded the bus to Radisson Blu Hotel in Dwarka
Bus rideDelhi air controlOutside viewArrived at the hotel got check in to the suite.
Hotel viewAfter resting for sometime. Went for the buffet.
It was time for socialising and finding more about the flight next morning to Melbourne. We were informed that the bus would pick-up at 10a.m for the 1p.m flight.
Radisson Blue Hotel videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT0Wa2_ArngAfter dinner went to bed for a long flight next day.
ConclusionAir India outbound to Delhi got delayed by 2 hrs. Missed the connecting flight.
Mumbai Domestic airport was quick check-in, bus transfer was due to aircraft having technical problem.
On board, cabin was clean, service was good. Being a short domestic flight, there was no entertainment - headphones, newspapers were provided. Food was excellent. Crew provided service promptly but had poor coordination with the ground staff in Delhi.
Ground staff in Delhi were helpful, did what they had to do.
Delhi airport was easy to navigate.
Thanks for reading this report till next time.
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