India’s Best Airlines

Jet Airways is the highest-quality airline in India, according to the 2013 Airline Quality Rating report, an annual study of airline performance by airlineratings.com. gives details on ratings.

Jet Airways

Safety rating: 6/7 Product rating: 6.5/7 Country of Origin: India Airline Code: 9W Category: Full service carrier

History: Commenced operations in May 1993. Commenced international flights in March 2004. Launched domestic low cost subsidiary called Jet Konnect in May 2009. Bought out Air Sahara and renamed it JetLite in April 2007. JetLite fully incorporated into Jet Airways in 2008. JetLite merged into the Jet Konnect brand in May 2012. Major Strengths: Comprehensive route network with over 70 destinations including more than 50 domestic. Superior full service airline with good in flight product continuity. Arguably India’s best airline. Aircraft Types 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, A330-200, 777-300ER, ATR72-500 (most belong to Jet Konnect).

Air India

Safety rating: 6/7 Product rating: 5/7 Country of Origin: India Airline Code: AI Category: Full service carrier History: Commenced operations as Tata Airways in October 1932. Rebranded to Air India in 1946. India’s flag carrier for many years, increasing pressure from low cost airlines and financial struggles saw it drop to fourth in domestic market share. Started own low cost carrier Air India Express in 2004. Merger of Air India and its subsidiaries with Indian Airlines and its subsidiaries to become Air India Limited in 2011. Major Strengths: Serves more centers in India than any other airline. First airline in India to fly 787 Dreamliner. Aircraft Types: A319, A320, A321, 787, 777300ER, 747-400, 777-200LR, A330-200

Go Air

Safety rating: 6/7 Product rating: 3.5/5 Country of Origin: India Airline Code: G8 Category: Low cost carrier

History: Launched operations as low cost car- rier in November 2005. Aimed to offer air fares lower than premium train fares across India. Operates extensive network across the Indian subcontinent.

Aircraft Types: A320

IndiGo

Safety rating: 4/7 Product rating: 4/5 Country of Origin: India Airline Code: 6E Category: Low cost carrier

History: Commenced operations in 2006 as low cost carrier. Began international services in September 2011.

Major Strengths Comprehensive route network with cheap fares between major centers in India. India’s largest carrier by market share dethroning Jet Airways after just six years. Serves fewer Indian destinations than Spice Jet, Jet Airways and Air India but serves major destinations hence its high market share. Youngest aircraft fleet in India. Will be launch customer for the A320neo for which it has placed one of the biggest orders.

Aircraft Types: A320

Spice Jet

Safety rating : 4/7 Product rating : 4/5 Country of Origin: India Airline Code: SG Category: Low cost carrier

History: Originated in 1993 when Airline Modilift was formed in partnership with Lufthansa. Ceased service in 1996 before being taken over and renamed Royal Airways. Taken over again in 2004 and the low cost carrier SpiceJet began in May 2005. India’s third biggest airline in terms of market share. Major Strengths Low cost fares between major centers in India Aircraft Types 737-800, 737-900, Q400