While the rest of the world is moving to low-cost and no-frills airlines, at least one new airline in India – Kingfisher – is shaping some new trends.  It is very reasonably priced but claims to offer an above-par experience :

Wipe your mind clear of terms like Business and Economy and J and Y and the rest. You are now flying Kingfisher Class. So, what can you expect? Simply put, a whole lot more.

A highly trained and skilled team of pilots and cabin crew who operate in completely state-of-the-art paperless environments.

Personalized screens and headphones broadcasting 5 video channels and the exclusive Kingfisher Radio – 10 audio channels to make your journey an entertaining experience.

Indulgently wide seats, plenty of legroom and adjustable headrests.

It’s been a few months since they launched and I’d heard a lot about the Kingfisher "experience".  This weekend, I had the pleasure of giving it a test ride.  And, a wonderful ride it was…

Within 5 minutes of requesting a ticket through my travel desk, I had an email with my flight details and e-ticket which I could print and take with me to the airport.  At the airport, smart attendants in bright red uniforms, helped me load my luggage and saw me through the security check and other procedures.  On board, I was delighted to find a new Airbus plane designed with Kingfisher’s trademark red upholstery, not to mention very ‘presentable’ airhostesses!  The seats did offer ample legroom, and the ground-staff and in-flight service was well above "satisfactory".  Best of all, the inflight entertainment system (lcd screens for every seat) is something that even some of our international carriers don’t offer!

Over the years, Vijay Mallya (Chairman of the UB Group which is the promoter of this airline) has earned quite a reputation for doing things in style.  And, Kingfisher Airlines certainly lives up to the promise.

Flying the good times has just one downside : Only this morning, I was relaxing in a 5-Star Spa Resort in Goa.  And, by evening, I find myself back in polluted Bombay, gearing up to get back to the rat race, tomorrow!