"How are we getting to India?" asked Grant. "On the Flying Curry House". I replied. "Eh?' said Grant.

We boarded Air India Flight AI984 at 23.30pm, it was the usual bunfight that we've encountered when people want to get onto any mode of transport along this trip. The first thing that hits you as you enter the plane is the smell of curry. Grant turned to me and went "Ahh, I see". If you like your clothes smelling of curry, you'll love flying on Air India. I'd forgotten the joys of travelling on this airline and I'm not joking, I think the last time I travelled with them must have been 20 odd years ago. It hasnt changed. The plane reminded me of my own Indian Royal Enfield, it's battered, well worn and will probably keep going long after me. The first thing we noticed when we sat down was the lack of any cushion on the back of the seat. The Indians prefer the more rigid posture apparently.

Soon we were airborne and the staff sprung into action. In a celebration of leaving Dubai, they brought out the whisky and the beers. Good old Air India, this was only a 2 hour flight and already they were dishing out the freebies. You should have seen the size of the measures they were pouring, each person got about a quarter pint of whisky. We had opted for the Carlsberg and knew that was a mistake. They werent allowed to give out mixed drinks I was told when I tried to get a whisky. which probably wasnt a bad thing.

Then they brought out the food and very good it was too, as long as you like curry. We like curry and so wasnt a problem for us. Actually they also supplied a big salad, rolls, yoghurt and 2 deserts. All this on a 2 hour flight. You wont get it anywhere else. Imagine that on your Luton to Benidorm flight, free grog and a slap up meal to boot. logistically I didnt think it could be done but they timed it perfectly and soon were doing the traditional Kamikaze dive bomb into Mumbai. Air India gets their pilots from the Indian Air force and every now and then they like to practise what it's like to fly a fighter plane. There's talk of privatising Air India & it'll probably happen. The first things they'll do is scrap the free curries and that'll be a sad day.