I
decided to jump jobs in Jan, which meant I was relatively free till I join the
new assignment and take a day off to visit Aero India. I firmed up on Feb 20th
and 21st as the days I would be at Yelahanka and proceeded with
bookings.
Bengaluru
from Pune opens up unlimited options across the day, with frequencies led by
IndiGo – 5, Jet Airways & Go Air – 2 each, Spicejet & Air Asia – 1
each. To reach well in time and make it to Aero India – I decided to take up
the first departure from Pune, the 0545 Jet Airways flight. This would also be
my first after the airline moved to an all FSC model. The old flight number 9W
2363 is retained, which once indicated the LCC wing of the airline.
This
is one the older flights of Jet Airways and for a brief period in 2009 operated
by ATR. This rotation operates as PUNE – BENGALURU – KOLKATA – GUWAHATI –
JORHAT / IMPHAL – GUWAHATI – KOLKATA – BENGALURU – PUNE.
Booking
I decided to download
the Jet Airways mobile app to process my booking. The experience was new and
good. Just that the app closed immediately after the PNR was generated. I received
the tickets in my mailbox in 10 minutes.
About 23 hours to
departure, I logged in and did a check in from the app, which again was
effortless.
Check-in, Boarding & Airport Experience
I reached the airport
at 0425, about 1:20 mins to departure and the standard two CISF checks at Pune
led me to the check-in area. I only had a hand baggage and thus made my way to
security. Within 7 mins of getting dropped off by the cab, I was in security
hold area. The benefits of a small airport in a city like Pune!
I carried printout of
the boarding card and thus did not visit the counters. The airline ground staff
reached the boarding gate around 0500hours as soon people formed a line.
Boarding started early and we were seated by 0525.
At this time, another
Jet Airways ATR to Hyderabad was getting ready while two IndiGo birds were
parked next to us which would make a trip to Chennai & Kolkata
respectively. Spicejet aircraft arrived from Sharjah, which would then turn
around for Bengaluru.
The aircraft was non
Boeing Sky Interior (BSI) bird with yellow lighting in 12 business class seats
and 156 economy. The loads were brilliant with 11 out of 12 seats occupied in
Business and almost all occupied in economy.
Inflight & Meal
Doors closed at 0540
and we pushed back on time and were holding before entering active, probably
for clearances since there was no other movement at that time of the day. We
soon entered active runway 10 and took off in easterly direction, banked right
to reach cruising altitude.
The seat belt signs
were soon switched off and the meal service started. The meal consisted of a
Paneer Roll or a chicken roll. I opted for the later. The tray comprised – the snack,
a bottle of water, kitkat, the famous Imli and AVA discounted items card.
The meal was not
adequate for that time of the day. I would have preferred tea/ coffee with
lighter snack rather than chicken roll which wasn’t upto the mark in terms of
taste.
There is a lot that
the airline needs to do in terms of food improvements.
The aircraft on the
other hand was clean. Not just the seats but also the windows.
Deplaning
We landed on runway
09 at Bengaluru and taxied to one of the aero bridges. Since the flight was
going onwards to Kolkata – security staff at the gate checked our boarding
passes before we set out.
Overall Verdict
In the last few
months, Jet Airways is improving in leaps and bounds. I had an opportunity to
connect with the top management with few suggestions and the promptness with
which they were responded too along with the way of response was commendable.
The airline needs to
work towards fleet standardization and improvements in food. The last year has
seen it become number 2 in On Time Performance at all airports and in few
months leading the pack too.
Will I fly Jet
Airways again? – I think I will, costs matching the competition, good timings
and Frequent Flier Program points – make it an attractive option.
Flight Summary
9W 2363 Pune to
Bengaluru
VT-JGK B737-800 (WL)
MSN: 32579
13.3 years old
Configuration: 12J /
156Y
STD: 0545; ATD: 0545
STA: 0710; ATA: 0700
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