The Hindu Business Line : Jet premier

Move over British Airways, Lufthansa… and yes, even Emirates. Jet Airways is here to offer comfortable travel to European destinations. Last week, one had the opportunity to sample the premier class on its recently introduced A330-200 service on the Chennai-Brussels-Chennai sector. One was actually travelling to Madrid and opted for Jet; that meant doing the Brussels-Madrid-Brussels sector on Brussels Airlines, but that was an eminently forgettable experience.

But against that flight for a little over two hours, where the airhostesses were indifferent and no blankets were available on a freezing Madrid morning with the temperature close to zero degree Celsius, the Chennai-Brussels sector on Jet Airways spanking new A330-220 aircraft was a virtual treat.

After a rather tardy check-in process, the rest of the flight was a dream. Jet’s premier cabins have been widely advertised; the seat opens out into a flat bed, and the cubicle is designed for both partial privacy and comfort. One was pleasantly surprised to hear a steward’s polite query on the option to change into a pyjama suit for the night. Of course, it was grabbed.

Next an airhostess approached me to ask if I’d like her to ‘make’ my bed. A little puzzled one nodded, and was zapped to find her pull out a thin, white cotton mattress which was neatly spread out. As the onward journey had few passengers in the business class, any number of pillows – or blankets had one wished – were available. On the international sector Jet offers as many as 12 meal options, including, Jain, gluten-free, diabetic, etc, and the Lasagne one opted for was delicious.

Used to travelling by economy all the time, with the last trip (from New York to Delhi) by Air India in September having been a nightmarish experience complete with a threat of being bumped off the flight for no fault of mine, this was certainly lap of luxury. The cabin crew were excellent and one really felt welcome.

After exchanging notes with other international journalists – from China, Canada, the US and Europe – who had all travelled business class, one was convinced that the Jet experience was indeed special.

And, word certainly goes around. Of course, Jet has been wooed to fly to the Brussels airport, which is not a hub for any major international airline, and Indians and Chinese travellers are increasingly filling seats to help airlines stay afloat.

The premier lounge at Brussels airport is an entire separate facility for Jet passengers, where one was delighted to find Indian newspapers. And there are prominent panels at the B terminal, where Jet lands, advertising its arrival. But it is apparent that the elegance and exclusiveness of this new service is being talked about.

At the Departures passport control in Brussels, the officer looked at the boarding card and said: “Aha, to Chennai! Are you taking the new flight? I’m told it is really very good.”

When one nodded and invited him to sample it, he said he indeed had a visit in mind. But, sadly enough, it would not be for tourism, “but when I have to accompany the next batch of illegal immigrants”. Now, that did not sound too pleasant.

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