Punardarshanay, Vistara! It Was Always A Pleasure Flying Except For One Horrid Afternoon

The year was 2016 and I had flown Vistara from Delhi to Kolkata for the very first time. The airlines, “a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines” (as always quoted during passenger addresses), was making waves in the aviation world. I had been in Delhi for barely a week and last-minute booked a Vistara flight to reach my home city, Kolkata. My first thought was: WOW! The reaction came as an amalgamation of the service, the plush interiors, the comfortable seating and meal experience. I still remember the golden cutlery that came with the meal and as a newbie flier I was feeling extremely royale.

The hostess on board attended to me with a mountain of patience when I complained of acute ear pain during take-off. She was the first one to root out my ear pressure issues while flying, Bringing me cotton to stuff into my ears along with a glass of lukewarm water to drink, she had set into motion the flying mores I follow to date.  

Every Vistara Experience Was A Grand One Except One

In its nine years of operation, I have flown by Vistara countless times. In fact, whenever I needed to book tickets, I first checked whether Vistara operates on that route and if my schedule aligns well with it or not. All of my experiences were grand and comfy ones, except for one instance, which was also the worst flying experience of my life. 

In September 2020, when the world was grappling with utmost uncertainty, thanks to the pandemic, I had to take a flight out of Mumbai to Kolkata to reach to tend to my bedridden mother. The fear of flying was running amok in all, and it was the time of PPE kits. I, for one, couldn’t for the life of me wear one. Instead, I decided to look like a decolourised Jaadoo (from Koi…Mil Gaya) in a transparent raincoat (thank you, Mumbai Rains), gloves, visor, double mask, double clothing and shower cap. I was doubly paranoid as I was also visiting my mother who was highly susceptible to COVID-19 and full of co-morbidities. So, can you blame me for looking like this?!

Here’s What Had Happened On That Vistara Flight

I had taken an afternoon flight on September 16 and usually the fly time to Kolkata at best was two and a half hours. Per my calculation, by 2.30-2.45 pm we would have landed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. And, I would have been home by 4.30-5 pm max! But little did I know all that would go for a toss and I would end up reaching home by 11 pm. 

During the taxi on the Mumbai runway the aircraft encountered “technical difficulties” and we were expected to be patient inside the plane with air-conditioning cranked up to support so many masked passengers. There was a massive delay, and we missed the departure time by hours and took off by 3.30ish. In less than 50 minutes of being airborne, we had to make an emergency landing back in Mumbai. The aircraft was still facing “technical difficulties”, the reason cited for hours. Upon landing, after several minutes we were deplaned and shifted to another aircraft. 

It was around 5.27 pm that we were airborne again in a different airplane and landed at 8.07 pm in Kolkata. So much for calculations! Upon arrival, of course there was baggage delay. In addition to the several apologies, we were given a voucher to redeem, which honestly didn’t strike any note and went to waste. 

Also Read: Goodbye, Vistara! Airline To Take To The Skies For The Last Time Today Before Air India Merger

The Last Time I Flew Vistara

Apart from this one incident — which has been the most horrible one given the sheer timing of it — I have always had a pleasant experience flying with Vistara. I will be honest here, I did feel the looming fear of a repeat of a similar episode on several occasions but, at this point in time, which airline promises not to?! 

I soared through the skies Vistara-style this June with my partner in tow (and row) with the hopes that before they merge, I will take one last flight. But alas! That short Mumbai-Goa flight was my last one, with memories and symphonies buzzing through my head now that I think about it.

After its merger with Air India, it is promised that nothing will change. But as fliers, we know, everything will. The purple hues, the livery, the golden cutlery, the hospitality, the “soundtrack of travel”, the Club Vistara membership, nothing bearing the words “Vistara” will ever be seen again. 

Thank you, Vistara, “a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines”, you have been truly special and a true embodiment of “fly the new feeling”. In every AI2 flight I shall reminisce about you, often admire my personal mini Airbus A320 neo and will miss the yearly calendars.

Why “Punardarshana”? Because, the word Vistara came from the Sanskrit word, Vistaar and it only seemed fitting.