Delhi to London on Air India: Why I feel the carrier is improving

Overall, a significantly more upbeat outlook on Air India after our travels this time round.

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Wanted to add some notes from the return DEL-LHR flight

Good:

• Service was excellent once more. What I really appreciated was the steward referring to everyone by name during the meal and snack service (noticed a small hand written crib sheet with names and seats on her trolley as she passed through). Small things like this can make a measurable difference.
• ON TIME!! Not only did it depart on the dot, but it landed early. Scheduled arrival was 1130. I was out the door and waiting for an Uber by 1145 because of the early arrival and de-boarding! This has never happened to me before at LHR. The new eVisa system did help but fast baggage arrival also contributed. This meant being able to drive up to Leeds whilst we had daylight still.
• On that note - I noticed priority tags placed on our checked bags. Sure enough no sooner had the belt started, our bags were already out. Honestly this might be another big reason I stump up for premium economy moving forward.
• No hard reboots of the IFE like last time though noticed this time around the screens at the partition walls weren't switched on.
• Meal service was solid once more.
• Check in went relatively smoothly - was worried the desk staff wouldn't be fully aware of the eVisa changes in the UK. The lady at the desk was initially unsure but someone promptly came and clarified which sped things along.

Less good:
My only real bugbear was the absolutely deranged wording the captain decided to use mid flight to update us. I'll try and summarise below
Quote:

"We're currently flying over Ukraine"
Pregnant pause
"Which is very hot airspace"
Interminable pause
"Hence we're taking detour by turning left to go to Romania"
Another infernal pause
"But if you look right, we see Crimea. It is being fought over"

And that was it. Honestly the man would've been better off keeping quiet.

A better photo this time round of the IFE. Hopefully you can see the camera mounted above the screen

If you look closely at the tray you'll see a petal shaped motif that's replicated on the flared base of one of the cups. The main 'glasses' with their narrow shape - I like it, easier to grip whilst taking up less real estate. The cutlery (metal in prem. econ, but compostable material in econ) wrapped in a nice papyrus-y napkin. You can also see I've got that helpful flap folded out to lean my Kindle against

The same flap is usable even when the tray is partially folded.

Quick aside on our domestic CCU-DEL connection.

Was on an erstwhile Vistara jet with the crew still in Vistara uniforms. There was just a small note on the fuselage under the Vistara logo to indicate it's operated by Air India now. We got the option to upgrade to prem econ on this sector but decided against it given it was a short flight. Once boarded, I couldn't make out what real benefit we'd have gotten if we had. Wonder if they'll redo the cabin layout on those Vistara A320s?

Overall, a significantly more upbeat outlook on Air India after our travels this time round. If they can maintain these standards on their aircraft and service, whilst ensuring competitive pricing, I can't see why they won't be able to go toe to toe with the big Middle Eastern carriers.

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