Consumer Blog

When you pay around Rs. 6000/- for a 2 hour flight, can you call it a low cost carrier ? And then when you have t sit upright at 90 degrees for two hours to boot, how do you feel about famed India civil aviation boom ?

I had to come to Bhubaneswar today by Kingfisher Red from Delhi. As I had some work during day, I called our office to book me on evening flight and they dutifully booked me on 6:15PM evening Kingfisher Red flight IT3345. Since I was carrying only hand baggage, I did a KIOSK check in and one Kingfisher guy promptly stamped on the boarding pass after checking my photo identity.

The flight was full and it took off late by only 15 minutes. It was a good achievement at that time, Delhi airport is normally very congested. I always try to get an aisle seat, left side third from the last, either 28C, 26C depending upon the number of rows in the aircraft ( Some one told me that survival of crash increases if one sits at rare seats, I do not the logic though). Today I chose 28D as 28C was not available.

As soon as I sat down on 28D, I found a small sticker in front me saying NON RECLINING SEAT. I got horrified! Wow, 2 hours flight, and then sit straight!

I asked one flight attendant, Are all seats non reclining or mine is special ? She politely replied that, all seats are non reclining!

I was amazed! How can India’s only five star can fly a 2 hour flight with non reclining seats ? They claim that Kingfisher Red ( formerly Air Deccan) is a low cost airlines so they may have non reclining seat to carry more passengers!

But, there are few questions :
1. When you charge rs. 6000 for a 2 hour flight, you can not be called a low cost carrier.
2. By making seats non reclining, you increase number of passengers, but I hope you are keeping the load capacity of the aircraft too!
3. Air Deccan having no reclining seats may be pardonable, but Kingfisher lead by flamboyant Dr. Vijay Mallya, giving non reclining seat, that too for a 2 hour flight ? No sir, that is not expected and acceptable.

Finally, I would advise, if you like comfort, or ‘five star air travel’, do not fly Kingfisher red. Also, Kingfisher should avoid the misleading advertisement or claim about India’s only five star airlines tag line and put a statutory warning ( like in cigarette packet) Not for Kingfisher Red, but Kingfisher Class.

UPDATE: I have written an email to Chairman, Kingfisher Red. I will wait and update if I get any response from him. – 22 Nov 2009

UPDATE : My mail to Chairman, Kingfisher has bounced back. I used the email id found on the magazine in Kingfisher Red cabin! What a pity! The chairman address asks guests to send feedback and the email id it self does not work! Does it speak volume about Kingfisher care ? 25 Nov 2009

UPDATE : I think I should take back above UPDATE! Today, I have received reply from Chairman of Kingfisher Red. I am humbled now and feeling happy that Kinfisher rocks! As they really care for their flier. Thank you chairman of Kingfisher Red! 27 Nov 2009

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