Flight No. 217 (DEL-KTM) & Flight No: AI 214 (KTM-DEL)

Airline: Air India

Route: Delhi–Kathmandu–Delhi

Review Period: May 7th to May 9th, 2025

Reviewer: Team ACBA (Airlines Critics & Bloggers Association)

 

Flight Performance & Punctuality

Delhi–Kathmandu: On-time departure and smooth boarding experience.

Kathmandu–Delhi: Slight delay due to local congestion, but well managed by the crew.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

 

Cabin Experience

Aircraft Condition: Aircraft well-maintained for short-haul. Clean cabin and seats.

Seating Comfort: Standard economy layout, comfortable for a short regional flight.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

 

Inflight Service

Crew Courtesy: Warm and professional. Crew on both legs were attentive and responsive.

Meals & Beverages: Indian vegetarian snack served was fresh and satisfying. Limited options, but acceptable for the flight duration.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

 

Check-in & Ground Services

Delhi Airport: Smooth check-in, professional handling by ground staff.

Kathmandu Airport: Efficient and polite staff at TIA; check-in was well managed. Security and immigration processes were also hassle-free.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

 

Onboard Communication & Updates

Regular flight announcements made in English and Hindi.

No IFE system on this short sector, but announcements were clear and informative.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

 

Overall Experience & Recommendation

The Delhi–Kathmandu–Delhi service by Air India offers a reliable and professional travel experience. While not luxurious, it is efficient, comfortable, and backed by courteous staff both onboard and on ground. Ideal for business, diplomatic, or tourism-based travel between the two capitals.

 

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

 

Team ACBA Verdict:

“Air India continues to uphold its legacy of connecting neighboring nations with dignity and reliability. This route maintains respectable service standards and supports cross-border tourism and business engagements effectively.”

It was indeed a great wonderful experience. No wonder INDIGO is THE finest Airlines. I rate the cockpit crew, cabin crew  & ground support at par with any of the so-called Best Airlines of the world. On behalf of all the patrons and customers of INDIGO , I thank you for providing Best flying experience. The trust of pair travelers in INDIGO is rising by the day and increasing loyalty is unmatched. The way ground staff handles the passengers is truly praiseworthy despite heavy rush at counters. The signage is very clear at Delhi T2  and Pune airports and staff posted at many  points to facilitate passengers’ comforts. The cabin crew is perhaps the finest in the world. They are thorough professionals and look after the passengers very well. The food service is fact and clearance even much faster. The most notable cabin crew are

Indigo 6E 2262 dt 1^st July 24

Lucky Mehta, Jyoti Vijay, Monika, Shivani &  Jayashree

Indigo 6E  6369 dt 3^rd July 24.

Ishita, Kavita, Priyanka & Deepika.

Overall a great flying experience, will be back again to INDIGO as always.

SpiceJet offers the best flying experience possible.

One of the best and most dependable airlines is SpiceJet. Team ACBA analyzed the first-hand reviews of passengers one-on-one and had the opportunity to speak with numerous passengers about them. In addition to compiling real-time passenger reviews, we observed and examined every phase of the SpiceJet flight experience. From the time of check-in until the boarding cards are issued, passengers’ specific demands are easily accommodated, and elderly and young children receive particular help, among other things. The cabin crew’s friendliness and warmth, the aircraft’s cleanliness, the departure on schedule, and the clear safety demonstration. The grace with which the crew and the cockpit staff shared critical announcements over the PA system. The food quality and taste, the food service and the clearance all speaks volume for the professionalism shown by the crew members, ground  staff and pilot. The pilots were regularly updating passengers about their flight info and also their touchdowns were copy books.

The SpiceJet crew exhibits impeccable clothing and impeccable etiquette, setting them apart from many other airlines. SpiceJet has recovered elegantly despite experiencing some turbulence recently. The travelers enjoy this airline and are thrilled to be SpiceJetters. Many of the passengers we spoke with during our interactions with them expressed to us that SpiceJet remains their favorite airline and that it should introduce more aircraft and maintain a punctual schedule. We would also like to take this opportunity to recognize some of the best ground crew, crew members, and cockpit crew who are genuinely championing SpiceJet and providing excellent services.

SG 8473 Delhi-Srinagar, 16^th Feb 24.

Captain: Rajiv Singh,

First Officer: Vinay Fauzdar,

Cabin crew: Shivani Singh, Vikram Lama, Abhishek  tomar, Latika Gulati, Thngbeni Murry

@T3 : Mr. Varinder.

SG 8475 Srinagar-Delhi, 18^th Feb 24.

Captain: Vinish Malhotra,

First Officer: Rachita Matta.

Cabin crew:  Ashish Bhalla, Abhay, Kanchan, Simran,Taniya.

@Srinagar airport: Sartaj Mantoo, Mr. Muneer, Suhail, Farhan, Burhan, Rouf & all others.

People still enjoy flying on SpiceJet, which is an emotional plea to the airline’s management. It is one of their favorite airlines; please introduce new models and expand the number of domestic and international routes it serves.

Team HCBA proud to present

“Uttar Pradesh’s Most Popular Hotel/ Resort Award 2023”to Hyatt Regency Lucknow,

“Uttar Pradesh’s Best General Manager Award 2023”to Roshan Mendonsa Mr., GM of Hyatt Regency Lucknow.

In a very impressive ceremony at Hyatt Regency Lucknow, attended by who’s who of the city, hospitality professionals, media and hotel staff along with GM Mr. Roshan Mendonsa.

Hotel Hyatt Regency Lucknow is truly a top ranking finest hotel of UP where hospitality is an art , guests comfort the real hall mark and food is just too delicious. It has amazing positive vibes & warmth. Right from bell boy, to front office to housekeeping, restaurants, in room dining service, laundry, travel desk, concierge, security-all top class.

The GM of the hotel Mr. Roshan Mendonsa is a thorough gentleman, true hospitality professional, excellent team leader, guests favourite and above all a great human being. Team HCBA is very proud to present him”UP Best GM Award 2023” truly deserved and wishing him many more awards and accolades in the near future,

A great place to stay. The leaders in hospitality and guests comfort.

Dhaka-Delhi  flight review

Flight No:  1104, 21stJune 2023.

Airport: Cox’s Bazar

Seat No: 17B

Cabin Flown: Economy

Sanitization SOP: perfect

Seat Comfort: 5/5

Cabin Staff Service: 5/5

Food & beverages: 5/5

In-flight entertainment Not available

On Time performance: 5/5

Baggage handling: OK

Recommended: Yes, of course

 

INDIGO –India’s most popular airlines having a global network is the first choice for passengers worldwide. Indigo is the professional airline known for punctual timings, great flying experience, smooth check in, proper baggage handling, greater connectivity, customer handling and much more..naturally the 1^st choice of passengers. During the Dhaka-Delhi flight flight was full, on time departure and perfect touch down. Cabin crew is very professional . One of the most memorable flying experiences. 

Cox’s Bazar-Dhaka  flight review

 Flight No:  444, 21stJune 2023.

Airport: Cox’s Bazar

Seat No: 17B

Cabin Flown: Economy

Sanitization SOP: perfect

Seat Comfort: 5/5

Cabin Staff Service: 5/5

Food & beverages: 5/5

In-flight entertainment Not available

On Time performance: 5/5

Baggage handling: OK

Recommended: Yes, of course

Air Astra is a privately owned Bangladeshi passenger airline headquartered in Dhaka and based at Shahjalal International Airport under the Astra Airways Limited, started its commercial operation on 24 November 2022, with Dhaka as its hub. The airline inaugurated its operation with three weekly flights on Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka route and two weekly flights on Dhaka-Chittagong–Dhaka route. On 23 February 2023, the new airline launched Dhaka – Sylhet flight for the first time.  Air Astra expected to launch flights on all domestic routes in phases. Overall a great flying experience. Need to do more on cabin crew training.

 

Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar  flight review

Flight No:  435, 18^th June 2023.

Airport: Dhaka

Seat No: 5B

Cabin Flown: Economy

Sanitization SOP: perfect

Seat Comfort: 5/5

Cabin Staff Service: 5/5

Food & beverages: 5/5

In-flight entertainment Not available

On Time performance: 5/5

Baggage handling: OK

Recommended: Yes, of course

Biman-Bangladesh Airlines, the joy of flying….. during team ACBA review of many airlines all across the globe but very keen to fly Biman for a very long time. Although many of our team AVBA members flew Biman on UK sectors and they were very impressed by the professionalism of staff and services, so very upbeat to experience Biman first hand that’s why we chose this sector. Despite many recent challenges due to global events and economic downturn, Biman has been gaining respect for its services and on time performance and winning hearts. Right fromm check in to boarding the plane to de boarding, we feel that the each Biman personal is going through a new energy and motivation to make Biman a global force in the aviation sectors thanks to energetic and highly dedicated Mr. Shafiul Azim, Managing Director & CEO, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited.He is leading the entire team towards making this airlines a force to reckon with again. The special mention of the crew of this flight. The senior crew member Mr. Duke-who is the perfect example of how the airline professional or crew member should be like. Perfect example. Ably assisted by Ms. Humayra & Ms. Papia-the most guest friendly cabin crew.

Congratulations to the entire crew of this flight for making this a memorable flying experience.

Delhi to Dhaka flight review

Flight No:  UK 181, 18^th June 2023.

Airport: Delhi

Seat No: 5D

Cabin Flown: Premium Economy

Sanitization SOP: perfect

Seat Comfort: 5/5

Cabin Staff Service: 5/5

Food & beverages: 5/5

In-flight entertainment Not available

On Time performance: 5/5

Baggage handling: OK

Recommended: Yes, of course

VISTARA  is undoubtedly India’s leading airline , connecting many more places than ever before in India and abroad. Its ground team and cabin crew are doing a fantastic job providing fantastic services to its passengers. Smooth check in, very well behaved ground staff, professional crew and most experienced cockpit. On time services, suitable connections and nice young planes except few. Overall a satisfying  flying experience. Special mention of VISTARA ground staff@T3 IGIA for their exceptionally smooth ground handling, quick check-ins and great concern for customer comfort and queries/ clarifications. Worth mentioning the name of Mr. Anshuman, the duty manager and the entire team. Best staff. Highly recommended.

 

 

Goa Delhi flight review

Flight No: SG 8172

Seat No: 1A

Date: 22^nd Feb 2023.

As more and more passengers are preferring SpiceJet over other airlines, the popularity graph of this airline is soaring high. The  management and staff is leaving no stomeunturned to ensure happiest flying experience, ontime performances, most delicious meal and above all warmth and excellence of the staff both ground and cabin crew. As  you are aware that Spicejet & Corendon airlines of Turkiye are jointly operating flights on many Indian and international sectors. I was a bit skeptical  about the whole arrangement but after reviewing atleast 4 different sectors both Corendon & SpiceJet crew flights now I am happy to note that the mixed crew are now gelling well and have overcome their initial hiccups. The mix crew is now doing excellent services and Corendon crew  is going all out to make Indian guests at ease and warmth matching that with the Indian crew. The decision of the management  is now paying rich dividends.  The entire operations at Goa dabolim airport was smooth, ground staff very good and cabin crew excellent. Baggage on time , overall a great flying experience.