Flight Details
Airlines: 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
Introduction
This 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 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdlOtKZaWTw
Arriving at the airport
Took the Chembur - SantaCruz Link road to arrive on the Western Express Highway
Western Express Highway
Being early morning traffic was light, reached airport withing 45 mins.
Terminal 1A
Air India operated most of its domestic flights through this terminal as the Terminal 2 was still under-construction.
Check-In
Since 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 Court
Mumbai aircraft spotting
Plane spotting video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVlyK_0waq4
Terminal Shops
After spending sometime spotting. Soon was time for departure. Being my first time through this terminal, decided to get to gate early.
Heading to gate video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXulq8-KWaY
Flight was departing through gate A9.
Way to gate A9
Flight Schedule
Board displayed Security Call
Watching the Indicator board
Waiting Area
Waiting for the boarding call.
Gate Change
The 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 Boarding
The replacement aircraft was parked at the remote gate, A bus boarding was
Bus Trip view
Bus Trip Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LumM3r0k_zw
Boarding Gate 81
Enjoyed 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 up
Aircraft was being refuelled
Catering truck
Boarding 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 view
After 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.
Pushback
Taxi to runway 27
Flight was lined behind a Emirates Cargo
Incoming flights
Emirates ready to depart
Next in line AI866 to Delhi and Sringar
British Airways arrives
Departure roll
Terminal view on take off
Window view
Heading north of Mumbai
Flight Information
Seat view
Air India logo
Flight path
Reading material
Air India fleet information
Air India route map
Safety Card
Flight Information
Headphones
Headphones were supplied
Newspaper
Newspaper was provided
Breakfast Service
Breakfast 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 View
I went back to seat relaxed thinking should be there just in time.
Flight Map and Information
Clean India Program
Closer to Delhi
Approaching Delhi
Landing
Taxi to gate
Landed around 12.45 pm. Was ready to burst out when the gate opened.
Disembarkation
Air 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 Desk
Had to go and collect the bags from the carousel
Baggage collection
After 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 Exit
Outside view
Bus view
Boarded the bus to Radisson Blu Hotel in Dwarka
Bus ride
Delhi air control
Outside view
Arrived at the hotel got check in to the suite.
Hotel view
After 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 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT0Wa2_Arng
After dinner went to bed for a long flight next day.
Conclusion
Air 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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