Comments on: An email of complaint sent to Air India

By: ANKUR VATS

ANKUR VATS — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:39:40 +0000

i travelled through your airline on 10 of feb from new delhi to london heathrow. my ticket num is 0982400702746 i booked my ticket from delhi safdarjung office .. my ticket has been booked by MR RAJESH some how by mistake the transaction is made by my two debit card but MR RAJESH VOID ONE TRANSACTION . but still my money has been deducted from both of my account and i didnt get my money back …. TAKE NECCESARY ACTION ABOUT THIS.. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

By: Sandeep

Sandeep — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:19 +0000

Greetings,
I would like to explain the travel details on the below reservation made. Also attached is the extra costs due to what we believe is a glitch in AIR INDIA’s internal processes.
We were travelling for family wedding ceremony losing a valuable day for preparation, and not only adding to further spending, was a very unpleasant and strenuous experience for both Manjeera and Sandeep.

July 16th at around 11:00pm PST:
We have called the AIR INDIA toll free number to reconfirm the ticket, and this was reconfirmed without any problems including the travel from SEA to ORD (United Airways)

July 17th @ 6:30am PST:
Reached the airport with husband (Sandeep Yenireddy – Whose e-ticket receipt attached to the e-mail). Sandeep had no problems checking in from SEA to ORD and through to DELHI.
But when we tried to check Manjeera in, UNITED could not find the ticket in their systems, and while UNITED representatives tried calling the AIR INDIA service division to release the ticket view, the AIR INDIA administration had mentioned “They can see the reservation” but were did not understand how to release the ticket view to UNITED. The AIR INDIA representatives in CHICAGO said that we had to wait until the AIR INDIA – SFO Office opened up to see if they could be able to help.
While we were going through this, I involved Nikki (Mercury Travel – 2GJA/ANB), and were trying to contact AIR INDIA, but had to wait until teh SFO office opened up at 9:30am PST
July 17th @ 9:45am PST:
We all knew that there was no other possible way for us to make the connecting flight (AI126) in Chicago (ORD). While we were stressed about reaching HYD on time, we had to hear another DISAPPOINTING statement from ZAREEN ( Associate at AIR INDIA – SFO office), as she mentioned that we would not only have to figure out and pay our way to Chicago ORD airport, BUT ALSO HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL CHARGES TO CHANGE THE TRAVEL ON AIR INDIA (UPGRADE ISSUES) is the ridiculous reasoning by AIR INDIA staff.
THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY AIR INDIA’S INEFFICIENCY, AND NOT DUE TO CUSTOMER’S MISTAKE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY AIR INDIA IMMEDIATELY WITH OUTMOST CARE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE!

July 17th from 10:00am – 4:00pm PST (SEA Airport still)
We were waiting in SEA airport for re-ticketing (while Nikki had spent her valuable time trying to fix the issue), after finally having to spend $327.00 (NOT JUST FOR MANJEERA’S TICKET BUT ALSO SANDEEP’S because I did not leave my wife stranded AT SEATTLE airport, and Sandeep did not leave for CHICAGO. – ANOTHER STATEMENT MADE BY THE AIR INDIA REPRESENTATIVE)
We just did not spend $327.00 for the re-issuing of tickets, we spent on purchasing MANJEERA’s UNITED ticket AGAIN by paying $184.60 at the SEATTLE airport.
We still really want to know what happend to Manjeera’s UNITED ticket from SEA to ORD?????

July 17th @ 4:30pm PST
We are finally on our way to Chicago-ORD, on a stand by flight. We got to Chicago late at 9:30pm or so after being denied accommodation for the night, we had to figure our own stay at COMFORT INN (expense indicated below). We stayed the night in Chicago to travel on AI126 (same flight) on July 18th instead of originally July 17th.

Some of the other key points to NOTE:
- Very visible from the experience and write-up above that AIR INDIA support has not helped a bit, and are not willing to DO anything to make the travel comfortable.
- When we reached Delhi, we had a layover (due to re-ticketing) of 9 hrs to catch a IA flight at 7:00am on July 20th to HYD from Delhi, instead of original travel to HYD on the same AI126 flight all the way to HYD.
- VERY RARELY THAT WE APPRECIATE THE INDIAN EMPLOYEE SERVICE, AND WE RESPECT THE AIR INDIA’S OFFICIALS IN NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR THE SERVICE AND THE PROFESSIONALISM. I do not remember the names of the gentlemen, but they were our HEROES of the trip. They made it happen by putting us on the same AI126 flight that same night to HYD after listening to our travel experience. They sensed the need and urgency more than any other AIR INDIA service center world wide.

We are now hoping to recover what we spent in excess (not having found anything wrong in what we did). We will also pursue further legal action and escalate the issue as deemed necessary.
WE WISH THAT YOU ATLEAST NOW UNDERSTAND THE SERVICE OFFERED BY AIR INDIA AT A GENERIC LEVEL. Please do not hesitate to contact myself, Nikki (Mercury travels), Zareen included for further clarifications and evidence.

By: aircrap

aircrap — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:15:46 +0000

i’ve just begun my process of complaining about and trying to seek a refund after my first and LAST flight on Air India. Wow, i read the reviews prior to purchasing the ticket but i had no idea what a shit show this supposed ‘business’ is. NEVER AGAIN, do not fly this airline, pay the 100/200$ premium and fly ANYONE else. they are terrible and i sincerely hope they will not be around for much longer. TERRIBLE.

By: Real

Real — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:19:51 +0000

Hirji Shiyani is talking absolute lies and his comments are a little racist:

“None of the staff were of Indian origin”.

Is that the reason you had bad service?

I personally think this person should get a reality check.

By: Mathew George

Mathew George — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:31:52 +0000

PLEASE DON”T FLY AIR INDIA EVEN IF IT IS THE CHEAPEST!!! IT ONLY ENCOURAGES THEIR BAD SERVICE AND BEHAVIOUR.

It has the worst customer service.
The worst delays.
The worst food.
Retarded management.
OLD AIRCRAFTS
SHADY Security if at all present.

SPEND THE EXTRA 100 bucks to get on another airline. TRUST ME AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THIS WEBSITE. You will be glad you chose another airline.

By: Mathew George

Mathew George — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:25:58 +0000

Below is a letter detailing my experience with “Scare” India. This airline is not only the WORST airline in terms of scheduled departures and arrivals but it happens to have one of the most INCOMPETENT, retarded on-board flight attendants I have ever come across in all my years of travels. Common sense is simply not part of their equation. Makes you wonder if the people on top at Air India have any brains at all. I am originally from Delhi myself and frankly I am ashamed that this airline attaches the word “INDIA” to their name. It gives all of us a BAD reputation. Anyways….here’s my story to add to the rest….
=========

Dear Sir or Madam:

It’s been about 7 to 10 years since I have flown on board Air India. I gave up on Air India

after continuous delays and issues getting to and from India. I recently flew to and from India

again and wanted to let you know about my experience on board Air India.

First to get you the details of the flight I was on.
Flight No: 101
From Delhi to JFK (New York)
Time of departure from India: 12:30 AM January 1st, 2009
My name: Mathew George

I was traveling with my wife and a 16 month old baby. We had requested a basinet seat

to accomodate the baby but instead got an exit row seat which I was told later should not have

been assigned for people traveling with babies. Anyways, we sat in the assigned seats except

for landing and take off as per the economy class flight attendant’s request. We happened to be

next to the bathroom and so there was a lot of traffic and the baby kept waking up very

irritated and crying. It was uncomfortable for us and for other passengers.

I happened to notice during the flight that there was a lady that went into business

class and remained there. So, I walked over into business class to see if there were any

available seats that I can use for a short time till the baby was fast asleep. I was just about

to sit down when the steward in business class (Mr. K Sarbajana) advised me that I had to return

to the seats that I was assigned in economy class. He also advised the same to the other lady

that had somehow managed to sit in business class for atleast a hour and a half. At the time, I

thought nothing of it. I assumed he was simply doing his job in telling me and her to return to

our seats. I complied and went back right away.

Ten minutes later I noticed that the same steward who had told me to leave the business

class seating came out and invited the other lady back from economy into business class. I

waited half hour to see if she would return and she didn’t. I walked back into business class

and noticed that she was comfortably sleeping in business class. I walked over to Mr. Sarbajana

and asked why there was preferential treatment for some economy passengers and not others. Mr.

Sarbajana became very defensive and spoke very rudely and told me that he didn’t have to answer

me. When I asked him to explain, he brought his supervisor (Mr. A.G Suralkar) to speak to me.

Mr. Suralkar told me that the passenger that had been moved from economy to business class was a

non-fare paying customer and was apparently related to an employee. He told me that a non-fare

paying customer has special benefits apparently and the captain (Captain Amol) had ok’ed this

move. But he could not or rather would not do the same for me and my wife.

I simply cannot understand how a NON-paying customer somehow has more rights and better

seats than a customer that is paying to get on-board Air India. It simply doesn’t sound fair.

I was compliant with Mr. Sarbajana’s request to leave business class area because I felt he was

simply enforcing Air India rules and policies but I frankly CANNOT understand how he can apply

the rules for some passengers and not for others. He told me that it’s the “SYSTEM” and Air

India was at fault apparently in allowing preferential treatment and the captain had been

somehow involved in approving this move. Frankly, the captain never came out and I never spoke

to him so I really don’t know if he was involved in any way. What I do know, however, is that

Mr. Sarbajana pretended to force me and the lady out of business class and then invited her back

in within 10 minues after I had left.

In order to write this complaint, I asked Mr. Saralkar and Sarbajana for their

identification cards so I can note it down. Mr. Saralkar was forthcoming and showed me the ID

right away. Mr. Sarbajana (I hope that is his real name) was again very defensive and very

aggressively said that he would not show his ID and that I was being indecent in asking him for

his ID. I’m not sure if he was lying about his name and therefore did not want to show his ID.

In either case, this situation doesn’t look very well for Air India. It appears that the rules

and policies of Air India are not very sensible and don’t make sense for all passengers.
The airline should either have rules that apply to everyone or have rules that are flexible for

everyone. There is a fundamental sense of fairness that I felt was missing in this situation.

I hope and pray that someone in Air India looks into this matter and sends me a note explaining

what if any disciplinary action was taken against Mr. Saralkar and Sarbajana. I would also like

to know why the rules were flexible for that customer who was allowed into business class

without paying for a business class ticket. Finally, why did Mr. Sarbajana have such a

difficult time showing his ID. Are Air India flight attendants not honest with the passengers?

Are they hiding anything that would cause them to be secretive about their identification?

A quick response to this complaint would assure me that atleast someone at Air India is atleast

bothering to check into this matter. After 7 years of not flying on Air India, I’m sorry to

report that the experience that I had in Air India was not a very good one. The business class

cabin crew was unprofessional and rude. They should not be attending to customers if they are

not up to the task. I will decide on any future flights with Air India based on the response I

get for this letter. I hope Air India carefully looks into this matter. It’s situations like

this that give Air India a bad reputation. It may be time to clear up rules and policies and

put flight attendants on board who are more professional than Mr. Sarbajana.

A response indicating the resolution to the above would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mathew George

By: asok sanyal

asok sanyal — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:46:38 +0000

The Chief Reservation Manager,
Air India
39 C R Avenue, Kolkata

Dear Sir,

Sub: Two Fraudulent Transactions with Air India using my Credit Card Account

This is to bring to your notice that 28th Nov 2008, on my ABN AMRO Credit Card No 5425 0513 0601 4589 two fraudulent transactions took place at Noida near Delhi and both the on purchasing of Indian Airlines tickets. I have enquired with ABN AMRO Bank as well for those two fraudulent transactions which we billed in my Dec 08 Statement of Account.

I am awe struck to find my card has been duly billed for the two fraudulent transactions for Rs. 20,600 and Rs. 10,300.

I am very anxious to know who and how someone could use my card. It is clear case of fraud.

I am requesting you to kindly furnish the details of the tickets. I have already approached to the Hare Street Police Station Kolkata for nabbing the culprits.

Please furnish me with the details of the transactions for onward correspondence with the bank.

Hope you will kindly comply with my request and oblige.

Thanks and Regards,

Asok Sanyal
Standard Chartered Bank (erstwhile American Express Bank)
21, Old Court House Street,
Kolkata
Ph: 033-22223064

By: Anoop

Anoop — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:35:43 +0000

Horrible airlines !! My father and inlaws were supposed to leave by AI 126 on Nov 30. After boarding the plane, they were notified that the plane has technical issues and cannot leave.They were taken to a hotel and told that they will leave in 12 hours. We had no clue about all this since their site is never updated. The customer service agents have absolutely no information and the only reason we learnt about this was becoz my dad was able to call us using another passenger’s cell phone.
We somehow managed to figure out which Holiday Inn they had been transported to and called them. The hotel staff have not been able to locate them and they said Air India usually screws up the last names or passenger information and so they dont have anyone listed with my father’s or in laws last name.
There is absolutely no communication whatsoever.
Is there a place where I can lodge a complaint within the US? We need to lodge sufficient complaints with the US aviation authorities or someone so that they do not allow AI to fly to US. This airline is worthless !!
anoop.mahajan@gmail.com

By: Kelli L.

Kelli L. — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:17:34 +0000

I too had a terrible experience with Air India! I’ve never had an airline cancel my flight so close to my departure date into Kolkata/Calcutta … and because of what Air India did, I missed my trip & am out the $3,000 I paid for a tour in eastern India. I’ve never had this kind of bad experience with an airline before ~ stay away from Air India. They are incompetent.

By: Ashwani K Gupta

Ashwani K Gupta — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:05:38 +0000

I flew Air India E-ticket no 0987201977-553(Ashwani K Gupta) and 0987201977-554(Eva Gupta) on October 18th (DET-JFK(Northwest Airlines) and JFK-DEL(AirIndia)). We faced a lot of trouble at the Detroit airport where the Northwest airlines agent informed us that we could not board the DET-JFK flight since air india had not released the coupons to them. After long discussion with air india supervisor Mr. Vimlesh Kumar over the phone, I was told that since the Air India office in New Delhi was closed the situation could not be resolved except if I purchase new tickets for the DET-JFK segement, and the fare of this will be refunded to us. We proceded to do the same and upon arrival at JFK submitted out reciepts for the new tickets purchased. The supervisor at JFK informed us that the refund will be processed in 4-5 business days. Now 4 weeks later, I have still not recieved the refund. I have contacted theAir IndiaNew York office via email, fax and phone with no response. I think i have no option but to file a lawsuit