AIRDECCAN - too risky?? Pls HELP

Piotr

Hi Everybody.
Here's my problem.

I have to get from GOA to VARKALA. TO save time I have booked airdeccan flights but now I have doubts if that was such a smart idea.

In order to Get to Varkala I have to fly Via Bangalore. Furthermore I have to fly from Belgaum instead of Goa cause flight times don't match. So the itinerary is

BELGAUM to BANGALORE (arrive 1325)
BANGALORE to TRIVANDRUM (dep 1600 arrive 1730)

Since Airdeccan is apparently such a crappy airline do you think there is a high possibility that I will not make the
BANGALORE-TRIVANDUM flight??

Is every Airdeccan flight late? I've read the thread on this airline and I'm a bit worried (actually very worried)

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks
Piotr/Peter

JamesW

I've flown with them once from Pune to Hyderabad and back. They were late on the outward leg, but early on the return journey. The flight itself was pleasant enough. I'll be flying with them again next month so they haven't put me off yet.

crvlvr

Prepare for the worst, expect the best.. Just have a back up plan if you miss the connecting flight. I think you have left yourself ample time. Most flight delays in India are weather related. since they don't have enough pilots who are instrument certified. The flights that are usually delayed in winter due to the fog in the North.

emilii

I would´n say they are SOO crappy. I´ve flown four times with them and only once they were about 15 minutes late. I´ve been quite happy with them... but as crvlvr put it: prepare for the worst and expect the best... you can never now.

I always try to prepare for the case that something goes wrong... e.g. book the connecting flight usually for the next day not for the same. An easy way to protect ones mental health

...I have three flights booked from Air Deccan for next November and let´s hope my good luck (or whatever) continues

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Sensi

Could it be that the airline is in fact excellent and just that some customers are crappy?

CHECK IN Check-in counters open 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure. Passengers need to check-in two hours prior to the scheduled departure. Check-in counters close strictly 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure, regardless of whether the flight is off–schedule. Boarding will be denied without refund, if the passengers do not comply with the Check-In deadline. Passengers should be at the boarding gate/security hold area at least 20 minutes prior to departure else they will be termed as “no show” and boarding will be denied. We reserve the right to deny boarding (without refund) if the passenger does not present himself / herself at the boarding gate after clearing security procedures 20 minutes prior to departure. Groups of 10 and above need to check in 90 minutes before the scheduled departure. Air Deccan has a policy of free seating and does not provide pre-assigned seat numbers during boarding on any of its flights.
Air Deccan does not have any through check in. Passengers disembarking from one Air Deccan flight and boarding another Air Deccan flight from the same airport must collect their checked in baggage and report to the check-in counter at least 30 minutes before departure of their onward flight. Passengers must ensure that there is enough time gap (a minimum of 2 hrs) between two flights while making their reservation.
CHANGE IN FLIGHT TIMINGS Air Deccan schedules are subject to change without notice. Air Deccan will notify all passengers of any scheduled change via email or SMS sent to the mobile numbers they provide at the time of booking. There will be no phone calls made to inform passengers. Every passenger is requested to kindly confirm, either with the call centre at ( your city code) - 39008888 or the travel agent to confirm the status of the flight 6 hrs prior to the scheduled departure of the flight.
FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS DUE TO FOG AND BAD WEATHER For certain months in the year especially Mid-December and Mid-January, due to poor visibility, dense fog and bad weather in North India some flights may be cancelled, re-scheduled, indefinitely delayed or diverted to other airfields. These circumstances are completely beyond the control of the airline and are governed by relevant regulatory authorities.
In such cases Air Deccan’s responsibility will be restricted to transporting the passenger only to the destination booked. The airline will not be liable / able to provide alternate transport, accommodation or refreshments at any point in time and the passengers will have to make their own arrangements.
Air Deccan informs all passengers about change in flight schedules through SMS alerts to the mobile numbers entered while booking tickets. Therefore, it is imperative for all passengers to enter their mobile numbers while making bookings to receive SMS alerts about change in flight schedules. Passengers who book their tickets through travel agents, Club HP petrol pumps, Reliance Web World outlets etc should ensure that their own mobile numbers are added to the tickets while booking by these agencies.
Baggage Allowance Maximum Check –In Baggage allowed per Adult/Child is 15 Kgs. No baggage is allowed for infants. Passengers are permitted to carry only one piece of Cabin Baggage weighing a maximum of 10 kgs per passenger and not exceeding 20x14x9 inches in dimension. Due to airport security regulations, no cabin baggage is allowed on the Jammu – Delhi and Srinagar – Delhi flight, however 25kgs checked in baggage per passenger is allowed on these flights.
Excess baggage will be charged at Rs.70/Kg on all Airbus and ATR flights. Air Deccan does not accept responsibility for unsuitably packed, perishable, damaged or fragile baggage or for minor damage to the exterior of baggage (e.g. scratches, stains, soiling, dents) resulting from normal wear and tear or for water damage to non-waterproof baggage.
Hand baggage is accepted in the cabin subject to availability of space in the overhead bin. Restricted stowage space is also under the front seat. In the event of no space being available in the aircraft to stow hand baggage in the overhead bins or under the front seat, it will be necessary to remove and load the same in the baggage hold as per Government Safety Regulations. Air Deccan does not take any responsibility for security removed articles like dry cell batteries, knives, scissors, sharp instruments, tools, firearms, ammunitions, and toy replicas etc, which are not permitted to be carried in hand baggage. These articles will not be forwarded or kept in safe keeping by the airline.
Boarding When you check-in you will be given a numbered boarding card. Passengers should be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes prior to departure. Boarding closes 20 minutes prior to departure. We reserve the right to deny boarding and cancel your reservation without refund, if you do not meet the Boarding Deadline. Air Deccan reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers who are under the influence of alcohol or owing to any misconduct of behavior/critically ill/ stretcher borne which may not be deemed safe by the airline.
SEATING Air Deccan has a policy of free seating and does not provide pre-assigned seat numbers during boarding. Children aged below 15 years and passengers aged above 60 years will not be allowed to sit near the emergency exits due to security reasons on any of Air Deccan flights Air Deccan also has priority boarding for women traveling with children, elderly passengers and special cases.
Rescheduling Rescheduling of the ticket is only possible ahead of 4 hours prior to flight departure. No change is possible within 4 hours of flight departure. Within 4 hours before departure, it is only possible to cancel the reservation. Rescheduling fee of Rs. 200 per passenger along with fare difference will be charged for any postponements/advancements.

• Route changes are not permitted on any reservation.

Difference in Fares while Rescheduling </STRONG>Since our fares are dynamic, the differential fare will be collected as below.

• If the applicable basic fare is more than the current basic fare, the difference amount will be charged to the passenger along with a Rescheduling Fee of Rs. 200 per passenger (either advance/postpone).

• If the applicable basic fare is less than the current basic fare, the difference amount WILL NOT BE REFUNDED to the passenger and the Rescheduling Fee of Rs. 200 per passenger (either advance/postpone) will be charged.

AT ANY POINT OF TIME, THERE WILL NEVER BE A REFUND IF THE APPLICABLE BASIC FARE IS LESS THAN THE CURRENT BASIC FARE.
Tickets booked under Superflier/ Valueflier can be re-scheduled only once per passenger per sector as per the terms and conditions under these schemes
Cancellation, Changes in Schedule In case of circumstances beyond its control (including, but without limitation, meteorological conditions, mechanical failures, acts of nature, force majeure, strikes, riots, civil, commotion's, embargoes, wars, hostilities, disturbances, government regulations, orders, demands or requirements, shortage of labor, fuel or facilities, or labor difficulties of Carrier or others all actual, threatened or reported) Carrier may without notice cancel or delay a flight. If due to such circumstances Carrier cancels or delays such flight beyond 2 hours, is unable to provide previously confirmed pace, fails to stop passenger's destination point, carrier shall either.
Air Deccan at its option may re-schedule the passenger on the same sector, subject to availability, without any extra charge. [Same PNR would be rescheduled for the travel upon request by the passenger] on the next available Air Deccan Flight. OR
Make a full refund for the ticket as paid for by the PASSENGER and shall be under no further liability to the passenger. The passenger will be required to collect the refund from the point of purchase
The passenger will be required to collect the refund from the point of purchase.
Due to weather conditions or reasons beyond Air Deccan’s control, flights may be diverted to other airports, because of safety precautions by the respective regulatory authorities. Air Deccan, regrets that it will not make any arrangements in terms of accommodation, refreshments or ground transportation or refunds.
Except in the case of its act(s) or omissions done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result, Carrier shall not be liable for errors or omissions in timetables or other published schedules, or for representations made by employees, agents or representatives of Carrier as to the dates or time of departure or arrival or as to the operation of any flight

Merchant

Are you afraid that the plane will crash, or that you will be late, or just that your experience will be unsatisfactory?

You're not traveling in Congo or Tajikistan. India has a modern airline industry. Why is Air Deccan a "crappy airline"?

cyberhippie

Maybe not crappy but cause for concern

Merchant

Evidence?

cyberhippie

Evidence of what???

Merchant

Evidence that travel on Air Deccan presents some "cause for concern."

cyberhippie

Well I would be a bit concerned if I read malkers post!! (follow the link!)

Merchant

I must be missing something--malkers hasn't posted to this thread.

cyberhippie

Wakey wakey Merchant the underlined Cause For Concern is a link to the post

Or at least it should be!

Merchant

It would be nice if links were in a different color or underlined. It's impossible to see them.

cyberhippie

Hmm what browser are you using!! The link is underlined on Mozilla!