[silversteed]

Originally Posted by carthick1000

I have a booking with Indigo for CJB-BLR on a weekday evening. Because of the Pratt & Whitney engine failures mid air (recently 3 incidents reported in India and Indigo’s A320 family jets are the most affected), thinking of changing the booking to spicejet (equipment : de Havilland dash D-200) or go by road. I have an international connection to catch from BLR and am not sure how reliable Spicejet is. Suggestions from frequent flyers on spicejet’s service reliability welcome. Thanks.

I would stay away from Masala. 6E is consistent, just don't end up having to interact with their personnel beyond the bare minimum.

Since you said the CJB-BLR flight is in the evening, I'm assuming your international flight is in the wee hours of the day after - a road trip could also be an option, if you could start an hour two earlier than you would've planned for the domestic flight.

[androdev]

What type of VIP/frast-track services are available at Bangalore airport on a payment basis? Say you are not a person of any significance but either for health reasons or just for kicks you want to bypass the regular passenger path.

Arrival:
1. Escorting the passenger from the aircraft and taken to some kind of lounge to relax.
2. Immigration and customs are either done without queueing up at the immigration desk, or on a priority basis
3. Passenger can wait in the lounge while bags are collected
4. A visitor is allowed to meet-and-greet in the lounge.
5. Escorting the passenger to their vehicle parked in a priority/VIP pickup point

Departure:
Similar to Arrival but includes handling of security checks and escorting the passenger to board the aircraft.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by androdev

What type of VIP/frast-track services are available at Bangalore airport on a payment basis?

Check these:

https://airportassist.com/services

https://www.aviserv.co/our-services/meet-assist/

If one has the Axis Magnus credit card, it includes 8 complimentary meet-and-greet services. Some other cards offer this as well.

[androdev]

I have gone through some of these portals but it sounded more like general assistance + lounge than fast tracking (bypassing regular passenger path). Lot of “subjected to airport” clauses. Is it even possible to fast track security, immigration, boarding in Indian airports which is where lot of queueing hassle is faced.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by androdev

Is it even possible to fast track security, immigration, boarding in Indian airports which is where lot of queueing hassle is faced.

Depending on the airport and service availed, you may be escorted through the Security line for Business class when you avail this service (if you're flying Economy). So, it'll be way faster that cattle class. I don't think any service can you get through Immigration on priority (I think only cabin crew get that privilege). Same with Boarding, that will typically take place basis the airline's process.

But availing this service vs. not, you'll find a noticeable difference, especially at busy airports and peak hour.

[RaghuVis]

Cross-posting this help call from another thread.

I reach Mumbai Airport at noon on Saturday, have 2 hours to get out and reach CSMT railway station to catch a train for onward journey. Can someone please tell me the quickest and safest way to do that?

[ex-innova-guy]

Originally Posted by RaghuVis

Cross-posting this help call from another thread.

I reach Mumbai Airport at noon on Saturday, have 2 hours to get out and reach CSMT railway station to catch a train for onward journey. Can someone please tell me the quickest and safest way to do that?

Hello, firstly which terminal are you landing on? Train is the best way to reach fast but would be a hassle if you have a few bags. Autorickshaws can take you to the nearest railway station ie Vile Parle. Since you are coming at noon the chance of you getting caught in Traffic is less so would recommend you to get a cab. Cabs (Ola/Uber) are mostly instantly available within 5-6 mins.

[cryptarchy]

I have an upcoming overnight layover at JFK. Suggestions on making this time comfortable?

[RaghuVis]

Originally Posted by ex-innova-guy

Hello, firstly which terminal are you landing on? Train is the best way to reach fast but would be a hassle if you have a few bags. Autorickshaws can take you to the nearest railway station ie Vile Parle. Since you are coming at noon the chance of you getting caught in Traffic is less so would recommend you to get a cab. Cabs (Ola/Uber) are mostly instantly available within 5-6 mins.

Thanks. It's T2. If I reach the nearest station by cab, can I then take a single train to reach CSMT? Or should I take a single cab till csmt from T2?

[ex-innova-guy]

Sorry for not being clear in my earlier post.

Originally Posted by RaghuVis

Thanks. It's T2. If I reach the nearest station by cab, can I then take a single train to reach CSMT?

I would not recommend this since the window is small. You can catch a single train which will take you to Churchgate station which is ~2.5km away from CSMT. Mumbai trains are very efficient but can be quite hectic.

Or should I take a single cab till csmt from T2?

Take a single cab from T2 directly till the CSMT. It should take around 1hr 10mins or more depending on the traffic. This is the best way for you considering you just have 2hr window.

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by RaghuVis

Thanks. It's T2. If I reach the nearest station by cab, can I then take a single train to reach CSMT? Or should I take a single cab till csmt from T2?

There is an option to take a direct train to CSMT from Andheri, which takes 43 minutes as per schedule. They are generally at a frequency of 15/20 minutes and depart from platform numbers 1/2 - just confirm with any fellow passenger for the HARBOUR LINE train.

As an aside, most passenger trains departing from CSMT halt at Dadar. Check if you have an option to board at Dadar, then you can avoid having to go all the way to CSMT.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by RaghuVis

Cross-posting this help call from another thread.

I reach Mumbai Airport at noon on Saturday, have 2 hours to get out and reach CSMT railway station to catch a train for onward journey. Can someone please tell me the quickest and safest way to do that?

Borderline case depending on traffic conditions and any potential delays by your flight. I would just take a cab directly to CSMT. If you want to opt for the train, T2 Terminal is kind of equi-distant (time-wise) from nearest station on both railway lines (Vile Parle on Western, Ghatkopar on Central line).


Also check if the train stops at any additional station (Dadar, Thane). You could then catch it at either of the two stations as you'll get the additional time it takes for the train to reach that station.

[RaghuVis]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Also check if the train stops at any additional station (Dadar, Thane). You could then catch it at either of the two stations as you'll get the additional time it takes for the train to reach that station.

Yes. My train does have stops in both Dadar and thane but my boarding point is CSMT and the train is Vande Bharat. Not sure what thr rules are for this train if I board after 1/2 stops. I'm thinking whether I should take risk or not. Are these 2 stations near from airport compared to CSMT?

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by RaghuVis

Yes. My train does have stops in both Dadar and thane but my boarding point is CSMT and the train is Vande Bharat. Not sure what thr rules are for this train if I board after 1/2 stops. I'm thinking whether I should take risk or not. Are these 2 stations near from airport compared to CSMT?

Maybe it is too late. Assume it is an irctc e ticket you have booked. You can login, go to bookings and change boarding point. There is no charge for this. But I think you will have to do this before the final chart preparation is done which in your case would have happened if the journey is today. Worth checking though.

[RaghuVis]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Maybe it is too late. Assume it is an irctc e ticket you have booked. You can login, go to bookings and change boarding point. There is no charge for this. But I think you will have to do this before the final chart preparation is done which in your case would have happened if the journey is today. Worth checking though.

Thanks for the timely tip. Changed boarding point to Dadar