Air India Domestic Business Class Review: Kochi to Mumbai Experience

I flew Air India International Business Class a year ago on a 787 Dreamliner and it was a memorable experience. Curious to see if the domestic product matched that standard, I recently flew Air India Business Class on the Mumbai–Kochi route in January 2019. Below is a clear, concise account of that trip.

Booking

I booked this flight using Air India miles accumulated through my SBI Air India Signature credit card. The redemption was done on the airline website and the process was straightforward.

• Revenue Ticket: ~Rs.17,000
• I Paid: 20,160 Air India points + Taxes (Rs.315)

Valuing Air India miles conservatively, I felt this redemption delivered good value.

Flight Info

• Flight: Air India AI 682
• Route: COK – BOM
• Seat: 1F (Business Class)
• Schedule: Depart 08:15 AM — Arrive 10:15 AM

Flight Experience

Check-in

I arrived early at Kochi airport and found the dedicated business class check-in counter. There was a long queue, mostly filled with passengers who did not appear to be in premium cabins. I skipped the crowd and approached the agent at the business counter, who promptly assisted me, checked my luggage and issued my boarding pass.

While it’s reasonable for business class passengers to use a dedicated counter, letting that counter back up defeats the purpose of priority service.

Lounge

The boarding pass included a lounge invitation. The Earth Lounge at Kochi domestic departures is a comfortable space with good views, pleasant seating and a decent food selection. It’s one of the better domestic lounges I’ve visited.

Boarding

There was no distinct priority boarding for business class on this flight, and boarding felt fairly informal. As a result I boarded later than expected.

In-Flight Experience

Welcome Drink

I was offered coconut water on boarding, which I appreciated. However, no cold towel was provided, which I had expected in business class. That omission was disappointing.

The Seat

The seat was soft and comfortable, which I preferred over firmer leather seats found on some other carriers. It provided a relaxed experience for this short domestic sector.

Food

Meal choices were limited and there was no formal menu card. I chose the omelette. Although its appearance was plain, the dish tasted good, which was a pleasant surprise.

Service

Service on this flight felt indifferent and less attentive compared with some other full-service carriers. After experiencing consistently polished service on some competitors, Air India’s domestic business class service seemed less refined on this occasion.

Bottomline

Overall, the domestic business class experience was a disappointment compared with my prior international flight on Air India. The comfortable seat and decent food were positives, but inconsistencies in service and priority handling reduced the premium feel.

I’ll think twice before choosing Air India for domestic business class in the future, though I’m glad I redeemed miles for good value on this ticket.

• Cardexpert Rating: 3.5/5

This trip was made possible using the SBI Air India Signature credit card, which helped me earn the miles used for this booking.

Have you flown Air India Domestic Business Class? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.