In her quest to explore the globe, Rebecca Anne Milford takes her first ever trip to India – and experiences the hospitality of Jet Airways Premiere travel.
India – an exotic land that evokes a hundred and one different vibrant images. Piles of terracotta coloured spices; ornate temples; Bollywood glamour; chaotic cities; lush coconut groves; golden beaches… depending on what one is looking for, the country can be a place of dreams. And what better way to make my debut visit to the incredible Southern state of Kerala than by flying Premiere, with one of India’s largest airline – Jet Airways.
I’d already scanned the website, and read up on the Premiere experience. With the promise of extra space, superb in-flight entertainment and fine dining at my leisure, I actually had one of those rare occasions where I was looking forward to my long-haul flight. So was this excitement warranted? Well, read on to find out whether I was impressed with Premiere…
Stretch It Out
Part of the reason that long flights give people the chills is the idea of being so cramped. Having to sit in such a small space for that amount of time is sure to make anyone baulk. Luckily, I’d already read about the revolutionary lie-flat beds found in the Premiere Cabin – and knew that space was not something I’d have to worry about. Sure enough, one glance at what would be my seat for the next nine hours, and I was looking forward to some chill-out time. As soon as that fasten seatbelt sign was turned off, I’d propped by feet up, hit ‘recline’, and was indulging in ultimate comfort. Nine hours? This would be a breeze!
Refresh Yourself
I’ve always known that keeping hydrated was of ultimate importance when flying – for glowing skin and overall health – so usually I’m necking as much water as I can lay my hands on. Which is why I came to love the on-board hydration of Jet airways. Since it’s an Indian airline, we were treated to coconut water – full of electrolytes, high in potassium and low in sodium. A tasty and superb way to keep myself fresh!
Pyjama Party
Heading out of London, I was on a night-flight – and was already prepared for a decent snooze. But I was pleasantly surprised when my air stewardess came and asked if I’d like a pair of pyjamas to relax in! Sure enough, some soft grey sweatpants and a long-sleeved top arrived. Comfort taken to new heights…
Airborne Entertainment
We’ve all been on plane journeys with fuzzy screens, headphones that don’t work, or plain rubbish programming. Luckily this isn’t the case with Jet. From just-released Hollywood blockbusters to lavish Bollywood productions; plenty of award-winning series’ and even business news (apparently), it was a case of ‘what do I want to watch first?’ There was even a special selection of ‘Twist Ending’ films, chosen for their edge-of-your seat suspense. What could make this cinematic experience better? Popcorn, of course. And yep, it was soon delivered!
Gourmet Treats, Any Time
I can’t be the only one that gets strangely excited about the prospect of plane food – there’s something thrilling about getting fed so high in the air. The thing is, in economy this enthusiasm is usually significantly damped when the plastic tray does arrive. Flying Jet Premiere manages to avoid this disappointment completely, by not only serving genuinely delicious food, but also allowing you to choose when exactly you fancy chowing down (or, well, up). I got into the holiday spirit straight away with some speciality curry, designed by the team behind Bombay Brasserie – tasty main meals such as Laal Maas (tender pieces of lamb cooked in aromatic gravy, spiked with chillies) and Tilwali Bhindi (okra stir-fried with onion, tomatoes and sesame) were packed with all the flavour of the East, while those who want something a little lighter can enjoy snacks such as Tandoori Chicken and Mango Focaccia Sandwich, and there is a tempting Western menu created by created by chef extraordinaire Yves Mattagne (winner of two Michelin stars, FYI). On my flight back, it was breakfast time, and I got to enjoy an Indian speciality, served with fresh warm breads and fruit salad. Now that is not your usually plane fare.
Not Just Another Passenger
One thing that really made Jet stand out for me was the attentiveness of the staff. Always smiling, always helpful, they remembered preferences, always seemed on hand to answer questions, and were happy to acquiesce to all requests. This was especially obvious while we were completing the inbound flight from Delhi to Trivandrum – many of the alighting passengers (obviously frequent flyers) were wished farewell by name. That’s the kind of personal service you don’t see every day.
Lounging Around
And, of course, there are the lounges. Depending on which airport you’re in, there are a selection of plush areas serving food and beverages, with comfy seating, magazines, internet, and helpful staff telling you when to catch your plane. Upgrading to First Class? Then you get the added bonus of the Etihad Lounge in Heathrow – complete with fizz, delicious gourmet meals and even complimentary massages. Suddenly turning up to the airport three hours early doesn’t seem like such a bad idea after all…
A return flight from London to Thiruvananthapuram via Delhi with Jet Airways costs from £1575.05 per person in Premiere (Business Class), and from £497.05 per person in Economy. For more information and to book visit www.jetairways.com or call 0808 101 1199.
