Pleasantly Pleasant · AIR INDIA A320 Business Class 🇮🇳 Kolkata ✈ Kathmandu 🇳🇵 And No Identity Theft!

[@Hiro-eb4zx]

Correct on the Mt. Everest! As someone who specialized in the tour arrangements to the Himalayas, allow me to give you a small advice. If you want to see the clearest views of the mountain range, please visit between October (right around the end of monsoon season) and February when the sky is typically crisp blue. After that the weather is prone to haze and some bits of pre-monsoon rain that last until around May, until a huge one arrives in June that basically blocks any sort of views due to heavy clouds.

[@jimhearsonwriter]

Casually dropping in that you already know what's going to be on the channel in October 2025 - gotta respect a man with a plan 👏🏻

[@goldy_on_pc930]

Calcutta airport might not be the biggest or the most fancy, but the best part of it is it clean and simple and well laid out

[@aseeraj]

13:35 - That's right. Those are Mt. Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m) and Makalu (8485m). Curious if you were able to hop on Everest Sightseeing Flight or any domestic flights during your short stay here.

[@dabasisdutta]

I saw these views of the Himalayas, for the first time in 1984. I was a teenager, returning to Delhi via Guwahati. Also the Air pockets, very notorious in the monsoon season and particularly frequent in this region.

[@deepaksrinivasmondal]

What providence! I flew out of Kolkata yesterday, and saw a white gentleman filming something with a camera. It took a lot of self-control to not go and just ask him if he was you. I don't think you would have appreciated being recognized, but please correct me if I am wrong about that! Happy flying!

[@tfft]

This is why I film months in advance. By the time I publish, everyone will forget about the guy they saw filming 😉

[@tedsmart5539]

what an advertising tagline - "And No Identity Theft!"

[@tfft]

If only I could fit the full line: "And No Identity Theft... This Time!" haha

[@Dipsu_SurajDipa]

Anyone Josh Cahill here !!! 😂😂😂

[@jamesphelps1958]

Don’t ruin the surprise - thats Air Peace’s new tagline!

[@NAFRATI_CHINTU]

@@tfft u think big companies are doing identity theft in western countries 😂😂then either ur too old or just too naive

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Great history lesson/review. Enjoying this series. Took a look at the e-visa system for India. Seems fairly straightforward. Perhaps I'll add the country to my bucket-list.

[@tfft]

It's very easy. 5 years was around $80 for me. Note that the first time you enter the country you MUST have your evisa printed out or you won't be allowed to check in for your flight to India. There was a very friendly pharmacy at CDG that helped me and 20 others on my flight print them out haha.

[@leannebree2459]

When I flew the kangaroo route in the 70s (Qantas), 747 from Melbourne stops were Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, Damascus (may have the last two in order mixed up); Orly airport then London. 33 hours. Back then there was a projector showing movies on the bulkhead screen. It was before Changi had the terminal it has today, we used stairs and waited what felt like a bus terminus.

[@spinalcrackerbox]

Singapore's old Paya Lebar airport is what you experienced back then in a completely different part of town. Changi only opened July 1st, 1981.

[@shakesnbake]

13:15 yet another breathtaking view!! WOW! There have been so many incredible views this year but this one was amazing!

[@ScottMatthews-gk8ef]

Thank you for highlighting that we all need to actually use our eyes & look out of the window at our surroundings. Asides from us Av-Geeks, it seems the vast majority of travellers appear to have forgotten the simple yet awe inspiring joy of taking in the land, sea or sky scape outside. Despite our best attempts to inadvertently destroy it, the world is still a magical place & flying a privilege.

[@tommykay7427]

I like the check box in "no identity theft" under 'Well done'.😂 The always entertaining humor in this channel gets a "well done" in my view! Thank you Kevin!

[@soumyajitbasulive]

hi Kevin, you were in my city.....Kolkata......wow.....thanks for coming......

[@sourmimosa]

That England - India - Australia services omg!!!! flying + staying at MO Bkk and Raffles SG??? wowwwww

[@JordCA]

Calcutta was the capital of British India until 1911. This status would be retained for awhile longer...hence why so many carriers flew here. It would continue for the next four decades as the Capital of Bengal, which not only included Calcutta but most of modern-day Banglades until 1947. Calcutta was the place until Delhi took over.

[@girishglg]

Very good information. Always a pleasure watching your well rounded documentary style videos. Thanks for coming and hope you have many more pleasant experiences in Indian airlines. BTW do you think Air India is improving?

[@tfft]

Besides them stealing my identity and serving me old near rotton food? Sure! 😅 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGjNp6uKf6uYfaM

[@sayanhazra5733]

Love and wishes for more views from kolkata ❤️

[@exF3-86]

Re: seeing the Himalayas- I asked Virgin Oz once, and they replied that at the 39000 feet my flight was at, there was a point for a few minutes where technically (ignoring cloud, haze, not being able to see out the back etc) you can see both SYD and OOL airports, approx 680 km / 425 miles apart. Checking on the math (doubling cos it's two ways) it seems right! Amazing

[@passionaviatoray]

Never got yelled at for filming in the lounge at CCU. That is weird. IndiGo expansion on the way. The covid pandemic hit it badly. CCU-China was the main focus. All of IndiGo's Vietnam operations are currently from CCU, with Siem Reap being rumoured. I heard some EU airline touching down next year. Btw the expansion plan consists of 21 gates. TOI seems to always mess it up pretty badly. Will have widebody gates and will become the new international + domestic terminal making the current terminal completely domestic. The expansion plan (construction) will begin next year with the first phase by 2027-2028. Demolition of old domestic terminal begins this winter. This is Air India's only international flight out of CCU. I expect AIX to take over this too.

[@spinalcrackerbox]

Are you willing to share how much you bid on the upgrade? I wish you would include that in the description. Been looking forward to your video about the Hyatt Regency KTM ever since you teased us about it. Hm, what does "🌏❗-ish " from your description mean? 🤔

[@tfft]

🌏 Means its a historical trip report, ❗️Means there's some drama, and the upgrade was around 90USD

[@richlandzee8686]

Great one Kevin. I cannot imagine looking at the famous mountains and have to do a double take that you're actually looking at the real thing! I'm excited with my upcoming trip to Asia through Qatar Airways. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to see the beautiful mountains of Switzerland from 35,000 feet with my own eyes. Planning on taking pictures and videos too. This country is currently #1 in my must visit list when I retire, One day. 😅

[@debopratimray1265]

I love flying with Air India ❤❤

[@anthonyprice-zm5iu]

Kevin .. you plan a year in advance 😮 .. wow .. I’m impressed 😮

[@tfft]

19 months actually... but the October to October to October comparison seemed more relevant haha.

[@prayashgiria]

To add: CCU’s bleeding of international carriers is also owed to the city’s decline as an economic hub and eventual overshadowing by DEL, BOM, and BLR. Many long haul carriers served the city well into the 90s but pulled out as the yields dropped further and further.

[@dhruv5335]

not only the 747- when india liberalised its economy in 1993, kolkata never made the drastic moves that other british-era indian cities such as mumbai and chennai did to attract foreign investment, and it never managed to keep up with the new megacities that sprung up in the west & south such as pune, hyderabad and especially bangalore. so airlines dropped flights and it lost its glory.

[@notactuallymyrealname]

So pleased that you got a closer look at those beautiful mountains! I spent a few months in Bangladesh once and was hoping to get a trip up to KTM but it never materialized. Someday!

[@basant64hangal]

Flew on VT-EXL a few weeks ago from BLR to SIN in economy. Was the first aircraft I've seen without seat back pockets, and the seats were very basic but very clean.

[@MattBlankenshipPhotography]

Always until the end including the adds!

[@samsanjeevan2096]

Beautiful videos of the Himalayas...

[@botruong4102]

Thank you Kelvin, your vlog always very entertained.

[@cpritchett2098]

Thanks for another interesting video in this series. 2 days R & R in Kathmandu? Want to see that video.

[@omi._.jalalo]

I *think* that was mt Everest, it very much looked like it's mountain faces

[@tfft]

Happy to know it!

[@pratyay3165]

Hi Kevin! Wonderful video, as always. If you're interested for some phenomenal views of the Himalayas from the flight, may I suggest you fly the Delhi-Paro/KTM-Paro route. Gorgeous views of the Everest, and others-extremely up-close. One of the best moments of my entire travel history. Also, the 'porridge' that you had in-flight is basically a form of Indian 'congee' (with lots of masala of course) & usually we have it during Hindu ceremonies/pujas. It's called khichdi. That, along with the veggies (fry/curry) is a typical 'vegetarian' meal to be had on auspicious occasions, OR.. on sick days to give the stomach some respite! 😅

[@aseeraj]

15:38 9N-AME (green tail) crashed earlier this year

[@amandeepsinghbajaj97]

Oh that is sad

[@elipson198]

Are you flying on Saudia Economy anytime soon ? great video btw!

[@tfft]

In a video in December, yes.

[@SunburnX]

Hey Kevin, what is the bg music at 15:29? It's so good that I want to listen again without any extra noise

[@tfft]

All tracks listed in the description.

[@SunburnX]

​@@tfftah feeling silly as I checked the description before commenting and now I see I missed that part when I glanced.

[@bongopilot2945]

Hey would recommend you to include some hotels from Kolkata also for eg ITC Royal. Keep up the good job

[@sean_king]

Even when the number of stops between europe and asia were gradually reduced to 1 or 2, it was usually calcutta that remained. This is to say that it was amongst the last stopping points to bypassed. Same goes for anchorage

[@CharlesSeanLowres]

You must go to Varanasi. Life changing destination. Love your videos.

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

Great Video And Info

[@jonathanscott550]

very nice video

[@NitinKumar]

You should try to fly ladakh india you can see lot of mountains

[@charliebrown5]

Thank You ✈️

[@LibertaliaExplorer]

16:18 rare airline spotted

[@tfft]

Not so rare in Nepal 🇳🇵

[@dubz9409]

i"m thinking Makalu is behind the clouds and the big one to the right is Kangchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world)

[@DDG_IN47]

Well that plane is definitely not that much of Tata effect aside from the initial effects before the rebrand. The rebrand is only seen in the boarding pass and some tags...Air India could be judged properly after like 5 years to see the actual progress : ) Nevertheless, I recommend you fly their new A320 Neos with brand new seats and livery. I'm sure you'll be more satisfied with those planes and give 90+ : )))

[@mikas2934]

How much was it to upgrade to business class?

[@daniel_4231]

1:31 the departure board couldn't decide which date it is

[@tfft]

😅

[@scootenthusiast]

how long ahead do you record these flights?

[@sig_7760]

1st. Thanks for the video

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@bigtexan7562]

You are absolutely right about Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.

[@vinba8234]

Nice trip review.. Kolkata airport looks a bit tired. And just in case you were missing the identity theft, I'm going to copy your channel and call myself "The Flippy Floppy Travellator"..

[@joepauljoy8573]

Please review kochi Airport, Kerala (COK)

[@aaronadam4747]

Why did you skip Dhaka, Bangladesh?

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

Pfff very relieved there were no images of grime or 48 hours old food…all sights you can’t unsee 🙈 The views of the Himalaya were spectacular 🤩 Thank you for the review and historical background 🙏🏼

[@paudireito]

Wonder what airline the 757 at 15:33 is

[@srinidhikarthikbs981]

Anyone watching from outside India, please avoid Kolkata airport and Kolkata in general at all costs.

[@soumyonath911]

How did you not get PTSD while buying the ticket

[@jimhearsonwriter]

I believe he said this came before *that* experience.

[@TheGrimStoic]

13:20 yup. that's Sagarmatha - renamed everest by the brits, who think a white man's eye needs to fall on anything for it to come into being...

[@tomkk6502]

哇，印度航空的机票好漂亮。好精美。现在的印度航空进步很大。❤❤

[@boyerling3]

Wish you reviewed economy more as I'll never go premium. Appreciate the history lessons though.

[@tfft]

I have 59 of them on the channel already and many more to come! kzbin.info/aero/PL83ZLLu2Le8Pf0Q_I6VFBr4Tdouf8g7ft

[@RonakBhatt07]

Kesar rasmalai. Not kasar masmalai.

[@derekbryce2632]

About this time last year, I flew CMB - KTM on a Sri Lankan Airlines A320 in business and out to DEL on an all economy Air India A321. In between, I flew KTM - Pokhara return on Buddha Air's ATR-72 and got some fabulous Himalaya views. When you return to Nepal, you'll get to experience the (ahem) 'delights' of KTM's Greyhound station ... I mean domestic terminal ... you taxied past at 15:40.

[@Yooo47]

No need to call greyhound station as it literally works as bus station. There are places in Nepal that are easier accessible by air. So, it is a local bus station. For some poor people that's the only option.

[@MotuSid]

03:53 They yelled at you for filming? Was there a sign which said no filming allowed? The lack of professionalism is just 🤦‍♂

[@wicked_smaaht]

Thanks for this episode. Kolkata is my only remaining connection with India. The airport is abysmal but that does not really reflect the city. I hope you can make it there some time. 😊

[@NADIFPUTRA_787_9]

Even though there are many Indian's in the Europe, Australia or the North America, there's no direct flights from Kolkata to them.

[@philipbarnard2474]

Air India still have the caste system (illegal since 1960). In business the people behind are not allowed in the cabin to access the toilet. Delhi has to be the world's worst airport. I think 10 people checked my details both ways there, London to Bangkok

[@k9killer221]

Airports and lounges in India....hmmm.

[@subhasiskar8754]

Mountain view may be kanchanjungha

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@srinidhikarthikbs981]

Kolkata is worst big city in India. The descent of Kolkata from the best big city to the worst big city is quite interesting.

[@BestieBearLover]

I think you need new subtitles ngl

[@tfft]

I don’t even know what that means…

[@BestieBearLover]

@@tfft at 12:22 you said you gave it a 7.4/10 but the subtitles said you gave it 7.7/10

[@tfft]

seems like a bit of an overstatement for one single digit type ngl

[@BestieBearLover]

@@tfft sometimes the subtitles say something else than what you said or they say things that werent even said in the video

[@MotuSid]

16:37 I don't like the new Air India livery at all. Too loud, copies a lot of elements from other airlines, not classy like the old one.