History

Taking its name and logo after India’s favourite beer brand, Kingfisher Airlines reached for the sky in 2005 with a mission to shatter India’s reputation for poor quality air services. Kingfisher Airlines have done an admirable job and is one of the finest airlines in the sky today with a limited global network but extensive domestic routes. The airline’s ambitious plans however have generally failed to materialise in the face of tuff competition, low yields and the Indian travelling public’s preference for cheap fares over luxury services. The first three years of the airlines life saw rapid growth and over the last three it has actually declined. The airline has now shelved many of its dreams, but has been accepted into One World and will formally join in 2012. The airline has ordered A380’s but their mountain of debt surely puts into question their ability to either pay for them or even survive till their 2015 arrival date.

On-Board Service

Kingfisher Airlines provides excellent on-board service by smiling enthusiastic young staff. The airline seems to recruit from Bollywood as most of their flight crews are very attractive and designed to deliberately to provide passengers with something pleasing to look out during the flight. Crews are multilingual and wear sophisticated uniforms which aim for an International look rather than an Indian look. Crews are attentive and the on-board experience is enjoyable.

Network

Kingfisher Airlines launched with ambitious plans that must have made competitors shake in their boots however they’ve delayed expanding, especially on international routes due to a lacklustre financial performance. The airline seems to have thought that passengers would automatically transfer allegiance to them but have not. The hype surrounding domestic air travel expansion in India spruiked a few years ago was more marketing PR than reality. India’s railways have put up a fight with better pricing, excellent catering and sometimes better services than air and other Indian carriers have lifted their game in response to Kingfishers arrival. Their network is limited.

Price

Kingfisher Airlines is an excellent airline and provides competitive fares. The flight promises to be memorable so the slightly higher price tag is worth it. On shorter domestic routes India’s railways are hard to beat for value and convenience and it is difficult to understand how air travel attracts any customers at all. Longer domestic flights in India are quite pricey but worth the convenience.

Catering

On domestic legs Kingfisher Airlines possibly have the best catering anywhere on the planet. While US airlines either have nothing at all or try to extract money from passengers by enticing them to buy snacks and junk food, Kingfisher provide drinks before take-off and lavish customers with restaurant quality catering, even on shorter sectors. While Economy passengers receive generous ‘food court’ servings First class passengers enjoy gourmet treats. Catering offers Veg or Non-veg options and all of excellent quality while portion sizes are generous. Most catering is Indian style meals with spice and chillies toned down.

Entertainment

Kingfisher Airlines has an extremely modern inflight entertainment system even for domestic Indian legs. Seat back video monitors screen a selection of Bolly and Hollywood movies together with a wide selection of audio channels. A nice touch is the inclusion of tissues in a comfort pack to wipe the screen. Their in-flight magazine is worth a flick through with plenty of advertisements aimed at India’s nuevo riche.

Ground Service and baggage

Non-Indians may have visions of crowded chaos when they think of Indian airports however nothing could be further from the truth. Indian airports are well run and Kingfisher Airlines provide excellent ground services with baggage services to match. Without doubt India’s airports are run far better than American airports and check in procedures at Kingfisher can be a very pleasant experience from friendly intelligent staff.

Premium Classes & Lounges

Kingfisher Airlines is targeted at India’s growing elite and expanding middle class. Kingfisher don’t have a business class; just a First. It is far superior to most Business classes on other airlines. Service is excellent, interiors spacious and vibrantly designed and the entertainment and catering service are superb. Kingfisher’s Lounges are very plush indeed and first time visitors will realise how inferior most North American and European member lounges are. India’s premium travellers expect premium service and a touch of luxury and they get it.

Economy Class

Economy passengers on Kingfisher flights can escape the stresses of Indian life and enjoy the comforts of a service that is superior to most of the world’s legacy airlines. The airline provides little extras like a bottle of lemonade before take off, generous meals, modern entertainment and attentive crews. Baggage allowance is generous and Economy passengers are not exposed to penny pinching so evident on other carriers.

Frequent Flyer Programme

The airlines frequent flyer programme is called King Miles and is of dubious worth. Like most schemes individual points are practically worthless yet their admission to One World will expand the scope of the scheme to partner airlines. However the airlines survival is not guaranteed given its dismal financial performance and debt mountain. If it ceased operations, points would be meaningless.

Corporate Culture

The airline began with ambitious plans and boasted of changing both Indian and global aviation. Their plans seem divorced from reality and their current fleet expansion schedule is a pipe dream. The entire airline seems to be an attempt to massage the ego of one of India’s richest billionaires, Vijay Mallya. The company’s target market is India’s elite. Kingfisher is very hierarchical with staff being viewed as an asset to be exploited and dispensed when required without thought to the consequences. Considering the airline is head quartered in India’s IT capital, surely they could improve their basic looking website.

Safety

Aircraft are new, pilots are well trained, security is tight and maintenance is good. The airline has operated without a significant incident. Western travellers with a cliché view of Indian airlines should not apply this view to Kingfisher.

Kingfisher airlines - Rating

Kingfisher Airlines provide excellent service at a great price on a limited network outside India.

www.flykingfisher.com