I just got back from an India trip on United. A couple of months ago I had made the trip on Air India. There were several similarities and several differences. It wasn't a case of 1 was better than the other. However in specific areas, there were clear differences and one was far better than the other.
In airline operations from the travelers perspective there are 6 points that make a difference.
a. Ticketing and Planning
b. Pricing
c. At the airport
d. Pre-boarding and boarding
e. Aircraft and amenities
f. In flight service
Ticketing and Planning
The United experience is significantly better than Air India. Whether its the website, the support, the options, the call-in numbers, ....
AI : 3 / 10
UA : 8 / 10
Pricing
Typically Air India beats United on most occasions in the pricing. United pricing is consistent across travel portals and its own website. Air India is inconsistent. There is sometimes as much as a 100% difference in the pricing for the same sectors across platforms and its own website is one of the most expensive. Overall however you are able to find better pricing on Air India than United on most occasions.
AI : 7 / 10
UA : 3 / 10
At the airport
The check-in at United is far more systematic and well organized than at Air India. shorter lines. Faster turn around. However the staff at Air India are probably a little nicer when people have issues or need help.
AI : 6 / 10
UA : 6 / 10
Pre-boarding and boarding
United is slightly more organized and has these class of passengers from 1 to 5. The so called preferred card holders are Class 2. Unfortunately almost everyone seems to be in Class 2, and the few who are not, are stuck especially if they have kids. Air India is inconsiderate to everybody, except the senior citizens and those with families. Both have major scope for improvements in this area.
AI : 5 / 10
UA : 4 / 10
Aircraft and amenities
Air India and United both have reasonably new, long range aircraft with a personal entertainment system. Air India seating is a little more comfortable, but United has better maintained interiors.
AI : 6 / 10
UA : 8 / 10
In-flight service
Air India has reasonably good in flight service and most of the staff are very nice, polite and helpful. The United flights staff is not as nice. Their overall attitude and behavior leaves a lot to be desired. The only saving grace is that they have no biases and are equally rude to everybody. Of course, thee are exceptions. There are a few horrible Air India flight attendants and a few exceptionally good United flight attendants.
AI : 7 / 10
UA : 5 / 10
Final scores
AI : 34 / 60
UA : 34 / 60
Coincidentally both the airlines are tied. No wonder I travel on the airline that offers the better fare.
However the changes Air India needs to make to become a really wold class airline are minor and need a string management to enforce changes, especially at a technology and implementation level. And I hope they do. I'm probably biased, but I really enjoy flying Air India a little more than United.
In airline operations from the travelers perspective there are 6 points that make a difference.
a. Ticketing and Planning
b. Pricing
c. At the airport
d. Pre-boarding and boarding
e. Aircraft and amenities
f. In flight service
Ticketing and Planning
The United experience is significantly better than Air India. Whether its the website, the support, the options, the call-in numbers, ....
AI : 3 / 10
UA : 8 / 10
Pricing
Typically Air India beats United on most occasions in the pricing. United pricing is consistent across travel portals and its own website. Air India is inconsistent. There is sometimes as much as a 100% difference in the pricing for the same sectors across platforms and its own website is one of the most expensive. Overall however you are able to find better pricing on Air India than United on most occasions.
AI : 7 / 10
UA : 3 / 10
At the airport
The check-in at United is far more systematic and well organized than at Air India. shorter lines. Faster turn around. However the staff at Air India are probably a little nicer when people have issues or need help.
AI : 6 / 10
UA : 6 / 10
Pre-boarding and boarding
United is slightly more organized and has these class of passengers from 1 to 5. The so called preferred card holders are Class 2. Unfortunately almost everyone seems to be in Class 2, and the few who are not, are stuck especially if they have kids. Air India is inconsiderate to everybody, except the senior citizens and those with families. Both have major scope for improvements in this area.
AI : 5 / 10
UA : 4 / 10
Aircraft and amenities
Air India and United both have reasonably new, long range aircraft with a personal entertainment system. Air India seating is a little more comfortable, but United has better maintained interiors.
AI : 6 / 10
UA : 8 / 10
In-flight service
Air India has reasonably good in flight service and most of the staff are very nice, polite and helpful. The United flights staff is not as nice. Their overall attitude and behavior leaves a lot to be desired. The only saving grace is that they have no biases and are equally rude to everybody. Of course, thee are exceptions. There are a few horrible Air India flight attendants and a few exceptionally good United flight attendants.
AI : 7 / 10
UA : 5 / 10
Final scores
AI : 34 / 60
UA : 34 / 60
Coincidentally both the airlines are tied. No wonder I travel on the airline that offers the better fare.
However the changes Air India needs to make to become a really wold class airline are minor and need a string management to enforce changes, especially at a technology and implementation level. And I hope they do. I'm probably biased, but I really enjoy flying Air India a little more than United.
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