Delhi Airport

[bubbly]

Hi all,
I'm coming to LOS next month and flying with Air India via Delhi. Has anyone got any experience of this airport??
I've done Mumbai and vowed to myself"never again" but like most things,its about price and who knows?? maybe Delhi is a little different. Would love to hear all your experiences!! Many thanks

[Frank Hovis]

It is no coincidence that the words 'Delhi' and 'smelly' rhyme, odd then that the words : blocked overflowing toilets, no facilities, rude staff, rude natives, foul food, no information and is clearly run by someone with the organisational skills of a dead skunk on mogadon don't rhyme as well, at least not in English but maybe in Hindi?

But you've already done Mumbai so could Delhi be worse? It's hard to believe it could be possible, but the Indians are proud fellows and yes indeed there appears to be some rivalry between the two airports as to who can fill the air with the foulest smelling odor; head straight for the perfume desks if they are open and douse yourself and anyone near you and anyone that looks like they might be sitting near you on the airplane with something from the blue-haired ladies range of scents.

To be fair I haven't used the new International Terminal, which opened about 18 months ago I think, and when I was there I didn't use the transit lounge so there is hope. Maybe someone else who has been there more recently will give you some more hope but I wouldn't hold my breath (unless in Delhi airport of course).

Erm... Enjoy your trip and your holiday (and your trip back; as if one flight to Delhi wasn't enough)

[Big Boy]

I've used both, and actually thought Mumbai was better.

[PeteC]

There's a forum member who was back and forth from Delhi many times within the last two years. Perhaps he has found a secret spot in the airport that is not too bad, and will comment when he sees your thread. Pete

[brianks]

Its not the airport that should be of concern but the airline. Air India is what I call the Duct Tape Airline. Cabinets in the bathrooms duct taped shut, seat trays broken, seats not working, sound systems ker plunk also. The condition of their planes do not give you much confidence that you will make it to your destination intact. Oh, but the prices were good on the flights I took though if that is your only concern.

[pharvey]

It's a hole, as is much of India - plain and simple.

As brianks says, Air India is also an ''experience''

[Terry]

There's a forum member who was back and forth from Delhi many times within the last two years. Perhaps he has found a secret spot in the airport that is not too bad, and will comment when he sees your thread. Pete

Had the pleasure of using both old and new airports over the last two years.
The old airport was shite - in the cleanliness stakes - but then it only matched the rest of Delhi

The new one is marginally better but be prepared to walk long distances to the gates and put up with the nauseating sludge carpeting! If it rains - unlikely at this time of year - you can get a free shower courtesy of the roof.

If you want to buy duty free, there is a good selection of most things - but you pay in USD. It seems that the World Class country does not want to accept it's own currency.

As for a secret spot Pete - sorry can't oblige - the best place is when you go through the door of the departing aircraft - heaven!

Only flew on Indian Airways back in '91 - and that was a duct tape experience as brianks has already stated.

When my family visited me twice last year we stayed in the Shangri La - that was ok but bloody expensive even for a 5 star.

My youngest son - 9 at the time - summed it all up perfectly
This place stinks and it sucks......................say no more

[Dannie Boy]

I think enough has been written to put most people off from venturing to LOS via Delhi or Mumbai (I have not flown to Delhi, but to Mumbai and Chennai a number of times and even flying Business Class - but not with Air India - rate them both pretty bad). If you are looking to save money, choose whichever one of the Middle East airlines is offering the best price (Etihad, Emirates, Qatar or Gulf Air) and you are reasonably assured of arriving in one piece and in a fairly civilised manner and if you fly with Emirates, Dubai has one of the largest duty free terminals you are likely to find.

[dtaai-maai]

Air India is also an ''experience''

Did you ever fly Biman...?

[cookmanchef]

Have flown with Air India twice in the last couple of years, thought they were great, new planes with seat back TV's, very good service if you like Indian food as I do.
Mumbai is a better airport but the military baggage check people are unpleasant and slow, Delhi tends to have less transit passengers and as a result the baggage check is simpler.
You have nothing to worry about really, just don't buy duty free in the UK and don't have anything questionable in your hand baggage. Safety is fine, newer planes than Thai, EVA and many others.

[Rob W]

I too have had experience of Air India, like the others I found it terrible , the service was crap and the staff rude , i was in business class and its the worst i have ever flown.
In india allow extra time to transfer airlines as its the most harrowing experience to be trying to rush from one plane to the other, I have missed more connections in India that any other place.
Saying that kingfisher was a pleasant surprise helpful staff and almost edible food and I like Indian food and lived there over a year.

Good luck hope your flight flows smooth.

rob

[STEVE G]

I haven't used Delhi but what has made me wary of flying through India is the huge queues that I've experienced at Mumbai for the security whilst in transit.
Do they have the same type of security in Delhi?

[PET]

I haven't used Delhi but what has made me wary of flying through India is the huge queues that I've experienced at Mumbai for the security whilst in transit.
Do they have the same type of security in Delhi?

I am arriving at Terminal 2 in Mumbai and departing from that terminal. I also only have cabin baggage and a 2 hour transfer.

Will this be OK and any tips?

[STEVE G]

I went through Mumbai a few times about two years ago and always had to wait for about an hour for the security check, it's run by the Indian Army and they just don't seem to care how much delay they cause.
The good news is that as long as you're transiting on the same airline, they will most likely delay the departure if they have to wait for passengers as you wont be the only one.
I hope for your sake that things have improved as my experience was around the time of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and it might have been enhanced security.
It was a pity really as I flew on Jet Airlines and the rest of the service was actually pretty good.

[PET]

I went through Mumbai a few times about two years ago and always had to wait for about an hour for the security check, it's run by the Indian Army and they just don't seem to care how much delay they cause.
The good news is that as long as you're transiting on the same airline, they will most likely delay the departure if they have to wait for passengers as you wont be the only one.
I hope for your sake that things have improved as my experience was around the time of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and it might have been enhanced security.
It was a pity really as I flew on Jet Airlines and the rest of the service was actually pretty good.

Many thanks Steve I'm also on Jet Airlines, I just thought it was a change to go to London this route - we shall see !