All right my little minions, let’s continue the long journey from Chicago to Colombo via Newark, Delhi and Hyderabad with a flight on Air India’s newest regional Business Class product aboard the Airbus A320 Neo. Spoiler alert, and maybe I’m missing a few neurons, but I actually preferred Air India’s older regional Business Class product. The newer seats are much harder, they lack in-flight entertainment and they just have a cheaper feel. Anyway, that’s my two cents, lets see what you think!
If you missed the first legs of this journey (United Business Class on the Boeing 757-200 from Chicago to Newark and Business Class on Air India’s new Airbus A350-900), check the video links out below!
And, if vide trip reports are more you thing, here are the links below. Personally, I like to watch then read, but that’s just me.
Delhi-Hyderabad Video Trip Report
Chicago-Newark (United 757-200 First/Business Class) and Newark-Delhi (Air India A350-900 Business Class) video report.
And my journey through the streets of one of my new favorite international cities, Colombo
FLIGHT 3:
Routing: Delhi to Hyderabad.
Airline: Air India (AI).
Aircraft: Airbus 320 Neo
Tail number: VT-TQR
1,131st lifetime flight.
Flight time: 1 hour and 51 minutes.
I made it through immigration and customs and security surprisingly quickly! I decided to forgo the lounge and headed directly to gate 34B where my flight would be soon to depart.
Boarding started on time and I made my way down the GLASS jet bridge (yes, I emphasized glass!!!! In case you missed my previous rants about the wonders of the glass jet bridge, check out my trip report and video for the Newark-Delhi leg). The cabin was clean but I found the new regional Business Class product to feel a bit cheap and generic.
Sadly, there was no Wi-Fi nor in-flight entertainment anywhere to be found.
What did find was a bottle of water (nice touch for a domestic flight) and….
A printed menu. Also a nice touch for a domestic flight!!
Pre-departure beverages were served and we soon departed the gate more or less on time. A short taxi led to a smooth takeoff roll and viola, I was finally on my way to Hyderabad!!
Dinner was served and the thyme infused chicken was actually quite flavorful and delicious!!
Tried to catch a few ZZZ’ss without success before the lights were turned back on and we made our descent into Hyderabad.
One more thing that I will give Air India kudos for……an actual printed in-flight magazine with every aerophiles favorite page, the fleet page!!
My Impression: First and foremost, after hours and hours of rolling delays on the Newark-Delhi segment that resulted in four flight changes for the Delhi-Hyderabad segment, I was just happy to get to Hyderabad with enough time to get some descent sleep and make my Hyderabad-Colombo flight with Sri Lankan Airlines the next morning.
The kudos include the crew, very polite; the F&B offerings and service, quite solid for a short, domestic flight; and the fact that we left and arrived on-time and safely.
The boos and hisses include the cheap, Wal-Mart feel to the new seats and their lack of Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment.
Hope you enjoyed the report. If you are so inclined, please check out the video flight report for this flight
The video flight report for the Chicago-Newark (United 757-200 First/Business Class) and Newark-Delhi (Air India A350-900 Business Class)
And my journey through the streets of one of my new favorite international cities, Colombo
Next week, I’ll post my Sri Lankan Airlines Business Class flight on the Airbus 320 from Hyderabad to Colombo. Please be sure to tune in!!
Until next time my fiends!!!!
June 26, 2017 
May 21, 2025 
