- Introduction
- Clipper Lounge, Mumbai CSI Airport Terminal 2
- Jet Airways Economy Class Mumbai to Brussels
- British Airways Galleries Club Lounge, Brussels National Airport
- American Airlines Business Class Brussels to New York JFK and Five-Star Arrival
- American Airlines Premium Check-in and Flagship Lounge, New York JFK
- American Airlines Economy Class JFK to London LHR
- American Airlines Arrivals Lounge, London LHR
- Sheraton Heathrow Hotel, London
- American Airlines Flagship Check-in and Flagship Lounge, London Heathrow
- American Airlines Economy Class London to Chicago
- American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Chicago ORD
- American Airlines First Class from Chicago ORD to Dallas Fort Worth
- Hyatt Regency Hotel, DFW
- Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bellevue
- Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles
- American Airlines First Class from Los Angeles to Chicago ORD
- American Airlines Business Class from Chicago ORD to Delhi
- Jet Airways Economy Class from Delhi to Mumbai
- Conclusion
My journey from Mumbai to New York was going to start with a flight on Jet Airways, however booked on stock of American Airlines as a codeshare. This meant I was going to be, for all purposes, be treated an American Airlines passenger in Mumbai Airport. No wonder, if I wanted EQMs, I had to put in my AAdvantage number on the ticket, and I was hoping to receive all the privileges associated with being a oneworld member elite.
However, British Airways crashed my dream to finally access the British Airways Galleries Lounge at Mumbai Airport’s International terminal, where they were confused if they were supposed to allow me access or not. However, I have still not heard from British Airways on why this was the case. I sure was not going to wait it out for 3 hours in a crowded location like the Mumbai Airport
Mumbai Airport Airside
I walked over to the next door Clipper Lounge, where my MasterCard provided me access to the lounge. Jet Airways was not obliged to give me elite benefits since I was on (my) buck of American Airlines and as their elite member.
The first interesting thing popped up at the entrance to the lounge itself, I noticed that other oneworld member airlines Cathay Pacific was also using this Clipper Lounge instead of going to the oneworld member British Airways lounge.
Clipper Lounge Airlines List
As I arrived into the lounge, I swiped my MasterCard credit card which allowed me access, and to my surprise found the lounge to be less crowded than the usual it is. I was ushered into the Business section of the lounge, while I tried peeping into the First Class section, where I never have been before. I got a table to myself at the peak hour of 1 AM, which is very hard to find at those times since so many airlines conduct night departures from Mumbai and they share this contract lounge.
Seating Area (Dimmed Out)
There is a lot of seating, and about 10 schmooze chairs which are usually occupied. Since there were people sleeping, I did not click pictures of the sleep section of the lounge.
I proceeded to check out the food and beverage selection. The alcohol selection wasn’t out of this world, but still good enough for someone who’d like a drink before getting on a plane.
Beverages on Offer
The Chiller Area
I went with a can of Coke, and proceeded to check out the food selection. The lounge had quite a few non-vegetarian and vegetarian snacks and a couple of gravy options on offer. There was some Chicken Biryani, Chicken Sandwiches and Chicken Gravy on offer for the non-vegetarian options. Vegetarian small bites, sandwiches, Pav Bhaji gravy, cookies and Indian sweets were on offer on the vegetarian palette. A whole closet full of chips and instant noodles were there for those who wanted a ready-to-eat option.
I went with a quick bite of Pav Bhaji, wafers and sandwiches with a Coke, before I got down to some work on my computer.
Since it was quite early in the morning, and I had to keep up another couple of hours before I could try and get some sleep in my Economy seat on the Jet Airways B777, I went with a cappuccino to top off the little midnight meal and get back to work.
Cappucinno, no cookies!
At 2:30 AM, boarding for my flight was announced and I headed over to the gate across the alley.
[...] the lounge has shower access? Flying KLM. the biz class side does not. complete review is here: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/livefr…rt-terminal-2/ __________________ My reports and rants also to be found at: [...]
AJ–I have a few questions for you, and will appreciate any insight you can offer. We are departing USA in two days’ time for BOM, with 24-hours stopover in AMS, all on Delta. We’ll overnight at Courtyard Mumbai Airport and fly out the next afternoon to Delhi on Air India. That’s all fine–my questions mostly regard our return travel. We’ll be visiting friends who are living in Bangalore on ex-pat assignment, flying Jet BLR-BOM, changing terminals then Delta once again BOM-AMS.
Questions: 1) The flights are not on the same ticket, but Jet and Delta have an interline baggage agreement, so will Jet check our bags through to Amsterdam (and on to Minneapolis), or will we have to retrieve our bags and bring them to the Int’l terminal for check-in?
2) We have access to the Clipper Lounge in BOM–we have 3 hrs between arrival from BLR and departure to BOM. Traveling with 10 y.o. and 5 y.o. daughters–sounds like a wise bet to pay the Priority Pass guest fee and use the lounge. Agree?
Thank you!
John
@mspswede, Jet and Delta do have an interlining agreement and in the past I have had them check my bags through to SEA (I was doing BOM-BRU-JFK on 9w/ JFK – SEA on DL) although I had to retrieve them at JFK anyways. You just got to insist on them to do it else they won’t bother since it is some extra work to punch the keys in the systems
In terms of your arrival from BLR and departure from BOM, I won’t count on 3 hours as the total layover time. To come from domestic to international, go through check-in/passport control/security check should take you at least 1.5 hours if no more and this lounge is full at the time the Delta flight takes off since there are others (3-4 Jet flights or more, CX etc)at the same time. You can see how long do you have on hand. There is an good food court as well nearby, so you could see if you want to be seated there.
Ping back for more questions and enjoy your trip.
Cheers
AJ
AJ–
Thanks very much for your wise counsel! Appreciate your insight and advice.
Cheers!
travelling on an Ey tkt from Goa to Bom en route to CDG/YUL. Hold a Flying Blue AF/KL Gold Card entitling usage of Delta Clipper Lounge (DL partners with KL/AF). Have approx 8 hrs layover at Bom airport.
Does the Clipper Lounge remain open 24 hrs and will DL give me a dificult time to utilize the lounge at BOM Airport
@Alan, the lounge is open 24 hours. if you are flying AF/KL and have the Gold Card(elite+), you are entitled to lounge access and the airline should give you a lounge invitation. the Clipper Lounge is a contract lounge, not exclusive to Delta
Hi!
I am arriving at Bombay International Airport at 3:30am from YUL on an Quatar Airways flight. I have a connecting domestic flight to Goa, but it is only at noon. Are there any lounges at the domestic airport that I would be able to access (I would be willing to pay) even though I am arriving so early?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Natalia
@Natalia, you won’t be allowed into the domestic airport before 3-4 hours. So, your best bet is to head to an airport hotel (Hyatt, ITC, there are many) and kill a few hours in their lounge/coffee shop.
Why don’t you fly directly from qatar to goa on qatar airliens
Thanks AJ for the quick reply! If we go to the Hyatt, would we be able to still return to the International airport to take the shuttle to the domestic airport? I am hesitant about taking a taxi as I don’t speak the local language.
@natalia, I don’t think you are eligible for the transfer service once you exit the airport. The cabs are safe, and you can take a ‘Pre-paid’ one where u pay a fare upfront basis your destination and get a cab assigned. You don’t need to pay any money to the cabbie hence.
I could also suggest you take a cab to close to the domestic terminal hotels… There is Sahara star and ibis Mumbai there. These are walking distances from the terminal entrance
Does any one know if the master card golden edge card entitles us entry to any other lounge other than India