WHY This Budget Flight to India Goes the WRONG WAY
video description
Date: 2026-04-12
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
noel_philips
IndiGo Knows How to Play the System
I booked a flight from Amsterdam to Chennai with a short transfer just under three hours. That was the deal.
Then IndiGo changed it. Without my consent, the transfer suddenly became a nine-hour wait in Mumbai.
I asked them to correct it. They refused.
As if that wasn’t enough, on the day of travel there was an additional three-hour delay due to ATC issues. So what should have been a smooth connection turned into a twelve-hour ordeal.
When I filed a complaint, IndiGo hid behind the ATC delay.
No responsibility, they said.
But that completely misses the point.
My complaint was never about those extra three hours. It was about the nine-hour layover they imposed beforehand the change they did control.
Still, every response clearly automated repeated the same line: no responsibility due to ATC.
At that moment it became obvious: I wasn’t dealing with customer service, but with a system designed to avoid responsibility.
When everything goes according to plan, IndiGo is fine.
But the moment something changes, you’re on your own.
And that, in the end, is the real cost of a cheap ticket.
reply
IndiGo Knows How to Play the System
I booked a flight from Amsterdam to Chennai with a short transfer just under three hours. That was the deal.
Then IndiGo changed it. Without my consent, the transfer suddenly became a nine-hour wait in Mumbai.
I asked them to correct it. They refused.
As if that wasn’t enough, on the day of travel there was an additional three-hour delay due to ATC issues. So what should have been a smooth connection turned into a twelve-hour ordeal.
When I filed a complaint, IndiGo hid behind the ATC delay.
No responsibility, they said.
But that completely misses the point.
My complaint was never about those extra three hours. It was about the nine-hour layover they imposed beforehand the change they did control.
Still, every response clearly automated repeated the same line: no responsibility due to ATC.
At that moment it became obvious: I wasn’t dealing with customer service, but with a system designed to avoid responsibility.
When everything goes according to plan, IndiGo is fine.
But the moment something changes, you’re on your own.
And that, in the end, is the real cost of a cheap ticket.
reply
teepraveen
Just flew by Indigo from Mumbai to Athens. very very impressive plenty of legroom, tasty and edible food, ontime, mindful crew, return was from Rome to DEL by ITA by far the worst airline ever flown ( they have company of Lufthansa which has delayed every one of the 4 flights i have taken from BLR and less said the better about their inflight experience) The crew are grumpy faced, treats indians like a peice of St. and gives a feeling they a doing a job that they don't like.
By far indian airlines are the best our budget airlines score much better than the so called European airlines. they all sucks. they are airway robbers.
Some westerners try to find fault with indian carriers. quite possible some of them are paid by some ME carriers to demean.
And you Noel. your job is to find that small insect, spec of dirt in the loo, find a lose screw in the seat or elsewhere and lament. thats probably your livelihood.
reply
Just flew by Indigo from Mumbai to Athens. very very impressive plenty of legroom, tasty and edible food, ontime, mindful crew, return was from Rome to DEL by ITA by far the worst airline ever flown ( they have company of Lufthansa which has delayed every one of the 4 flights i have taken from BLR and less said the better about their inflight experience) The crew are grumpy faced, treats indians like a peice of St. and gives a feeling they a doing a job that they don't like.
By far indian airlines are the best our budget airlines score much better than the so called European airlines. they all sucks. they are airway robbers.
Some westerners try to find fault with indian carriers. quite possible some of them are paid by some ME carriers to demean.
And you Noel. your job is to find that small insect, spec of dirt in the loo, find a lose screw in the seat or elsewhere and lament. thats probably your livelihood.
reply
MickosJet
Yeah passport control at Schiphol, always fun, a lot of times the Koninklijke Marechaussee is understaffed as pointed out during tv shows (Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands) and news outlets, which then translate in the chaos you see, especially when the machines are not working. And also it's not the only passport control chaos place in The Netherlands which i have encountered. Had my flight to Manchester today and half of the automatic gates were also not working, and some guy from tech support trying to fix them over the phone. Is was not busy so went through within minutes, but still at manchester which has a row 10 times that long, and almost all (2 not) were working. Also for both rows, automatic and manual, three booths in total were open and the line was quite big. Schiphol is by no means the worst but still, lot of room for improvement. Thanks again for a great video.
reply
Yeah passport control at Schiphol, always fun, a lot of times the Koninklijke Marechaussee is understaffed as pointed out during tv shows (Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands) and news outlets, which then translate in the chaos you see, especially when the machines are not working. And also it's not the only passport control chaos place in The Netherlands which i have encountered. Had my flight to Manchester today and half of the automatic gates were also not working, and some guy from tech support trying to fix them over the phone. Is was not busy so went through within minutes, but still at manchester which has a row 10 times that long, and almost all (2 not) were working. Also for both rows, automatic and manual, three booths in total were open and the line was quite big. Schiphol is by no means the worst but still, lot of room for improvement. Thanks again for a great video.
reply
Calebs_Aviation
What a great video Noel!
Loved this one despite the current middle eastern situation which caused this longer flight. Also, I am still amazed to see IndiGo flying widebody jets of any kind even though they’re using Norse aircraft!
Maybe at some point they’ll order wide-body jets of their own. I’d love to see IndiGo order the Airbus A330neo and A321XLR as they’re an Airbus only operator, except for these 787 lease flights!
Loved this video as it was very interesting and fun as always.
Amsterdam Schiphol is such a cool airport especially the KLM Crown Lounge and it’s nice that you got lounge access in business class with IndiGo that’s surprising!
Cheers mate!
See you at AvCon!
-Caleb
reply
What a great video Noel!
Loved this one despite the current middle eastern situation which caused this longer flight. Also, I am still amazed to see IndiGo flying widebody jets of any kind even though they’re using Norse aircraft!
Maybe at some point they’ll order wide-body jets of their own. I’d love to see IndiGo order the Airbus A330neo and A321XLR as they’re an Airbus only operator, except for these 787 lease flights!
Loved this video as it was very interesting and fun as always.
Amsterdam Schiphol is such a cool airport especially the KLM Crown Lounge and it’s nice that you got lounge access in business class with IndiGo that’s surprising!
Cheers mate!
See you at AvCon!
-Caleb
reply
matthewbeasley7765
I've gone to India 3 times via Europe and 5 times via East Asia.
The first time was Jet Airways via Amsterdam. This was before MH17, so we went right over Crimea, the Black sea, Georgia, Azerbaijan the Caspian Sea, Iran and Pakistan. We were never over the ocean. Pakistan definitely surprised me with Jet Airways being an Indian airline. It was the shortest flight, by far.
My second trip was KLM out of Amsterdam. We went over Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and UAE out over the Arabian sea.
My last trip was Lufthansa through Frankfurt. This one was pretty close to your route. We mainly followed the Red sea though, instead of going over Africa. MUCH longer.
reply
I've gone to India 3 times via Europe and 5 times via East Asia.
The first time was Jet Airways via Amsterdam. This was before MH17, so we went right over Crimea, the Black sea, Georgia, Azerbaijan the Caspian Sea, Iran and Pakistan. We were never over the ocean. Pakistan definitely surprised me with Jet Airways being an Indian airline. It was the shortest flight, by far.
My second trip was KLM out of Amsterdam. We went over Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and UAE out over the Arabian sea.
My last trip was Lufthansa through Frankfurt. This one was pretty close to your route. We mainly followed the Red sea though, instead of going over Africa. MUCH longer.
reply
ianinvancouverbc
you need to do a video on the ludicrous requirement for UK dual citizens to now show UK passports to board planes back in to their own country. UK Passport office totally backed up, people losing $1000's due to insurance not covering the delays and cancellations. UK citizens getting stranded in airports, airlines on the hook with fines if they let anyone through on a foreign passport. I'm heading to Manchester via Keflavik in April since UK passport will not be in my hand before I leave, what do think will happen
reply
you need to do a video on the ludicrous requirement for UK dual citizens to now show UK passports to board planes back in to their own country. UK Passport office totally backed up, people losing $1000's due to insurance not covering the delays and cancellations. UK citizens getting stranded in airports, airlines on the hook with fines if they let anyone through on a foreign passport. I'm heading to Manchester via Keflavik in April since UK passport will not be in my hand before I leave, what do think will happen
reply
harshilgupta6652
Indigo service from singapore to india codshare Qantas from Australia is terrible. Different baggage rules and not even mentioned on your eticket if booked through Qantas. Qantas allow laptop bag as seperate cabin item, but indigo do not and you encounter problem during transit. Also if your ticket says 30kg 7kg cabbin baggage you are best to check with indigo as Qantas and Indigo Systens do not communicate with each other well and sometimes indigo donot know that your ticket has 30kg 7
reply
Indigo service from singapore to india codshare Qantas from Australia is terrible. Different baggage rules and not even mentioned on your eticket if booked through Qantas. Qantas allow laptop bag as seperate cabin item, but indigo do not and you encounter problem during transit. Also if your ticket says 30kg 7kg cabbin baggage you are best to check with indigo as Qantas and Indigo Systens do not communicate with each other well and sometimes indigo donot know that your ticket has 30kg 7
reply
RajDas-ob4mp
I guess you don’t watch the news or keep in touch with world events, to ask this ridiculously question about the routing of this flight. first off the Pakistanis won’t allow Indian carriers to fly over their airspace. .very simple explanation. You think any airline would go a round about route for fun or to burn $$$ in fuel just for the heck, of it, get informed about world events before travelling. yiu Will learn a lot. about current affairs.
reply
I guess you don’t watch the news or keep in touch with world events, to ask this ridiculously question about the routing of this flight. first off the Pakistanis won’t allow Indian carriers to fly over their airspace. .very simple explanation. You think any airline would go a round about route for fun or to burn $$$ in fuel just for the heck, of it, get informed about world events before travelling. yiu Will learn a lot. about current affairs.
reply
noel_philips
Hey Noel, I have seen some of your bus reviews in India, I knew you wouldn't like it but still I would recommend you to try any Private operator who's operating a Volvo 9600 series Multi-axle bus across anywhere in India (specifically Delhi - Manali routes, etc) You will experience Volvo's extraordinary comfort with great suspension, and great views. So please keep that one in your bucket list please
reply
Hey Noel, I have seen some of your bus reviews in India, I knew you wouldn't like it but still I would recommend you to try any Private operator who's operating a Volvo 9600 series Multi-axle bus across anywhere in India (specifically Delhi - Manali routes, etc) You will experience Volvo's extraordinary comfort with great suspension, and great views. So please keep that one in your bucket list please
reply
AbinaswarDas
Hey Noel, I think the reason those seats are empty is because Indigo upsells their Stretch product in-flight and the window seats are blocked which is why the check in lady couldn't help you (or wasn't transparent with you. I guess the cabin crew were being friendly so they offered you the empty seat (they obviously can't tell you they're waiting for an Economy passenger to buy that seat.
reply
Hey Noel, I think the reason those seats are empty is because Indigo upsells their Stretch product in-flight and the window seats are blocked which is why the check in lady couldn't help you (or wasn't transparent with you. I guess the cabin crew were being friendly so they offered you the empty seat (they obviously can't tell you they're waiting for an Economy passenger to buy that seat.
reply
LIL-MAN_the_OG
Bruh, why didnt you ask the gate attendant to hook you up for giving your seat away You just let them move you without compensation IN EUROPE. Cmon man, you dropped the ball. What the hell is a refund when youre already at the gate Dont care if you got a whole row to yourself. get your due compensation. Let them give you a free meal voucher. free drinks. free wifi. etc.
reply
Bruh, why didnt you ask the gate attendant to hook you up for giving your seat away You just let them move you without compensation IN EUROPE. Cmon man, you dropped the ball. What the hell is a refund when youre already at the gate Dont care if you got a whole row to yourself. get your due compensation. Let them give you a free meal voucher. free drinks. free wifi. etc.
reply
peterkrey7273
A comment and a question: Is it just me or is anyone else finding you, Noel, difficult to understand in this post You seem to be mumbling and your lovely British accent much more pronounced. Still lovely, though! The engine sounds awfully loud for a 787. Is the RR engine generally less quiet than the GE which is more commonly used Great post, as usual! KY, US
reply
A comment and a question: Is it just me or is anyone else finding you, Noel, difficult to understand in this post You seem to be mumbling and your lovely British accent much more pronounced. Still lovely, though! The engine sounds awfully loud for a 787. Is the RR engine generally less quiet than the GE which is more commonly used Great post, as usual! KY, US
reply
KristopherNoronha
Weirdly enough it was 2022 or 2023 and I was flying BA from Heathrow to Mumbai and the flight route was equally weird - going over egypt etc and the flight path was right over these same straits - at that time it was weird as there was no war happening over Saudi etc but I did take a photo of the flight path from the in-flight entertainment system!
reply
Weirdly enough it was 2022 or 2023 and I was flying BA from Heathrow to Mumbai and the flight route was equally weird - going over egypt etc and the flight path was right over these same straits - at that time it was weird as there was no war happening over Saudi etc but I did take a photo of the flight path from the in-flight entertainment system!
reply
BrookeBrooks1981
Them have Noel Phillips seat away. Probably to a first time flyer. You're not only have so many flights under your belt you are promoting and advertising for them. Is each now than a refund that wouldn't be good enough. id be happy to send an email of I knew where to send it. not a nasty one just how absurd and incompetent their action was
reply
Them have Noel Phillips seat away. Probably to a first time flyer. You're not only have so many flights under your belt you are promoting and advertising for them. Is each now than a refund that wouldn't be good enough. id be happy to send an email of I knew where to send it. not a nasty one just how absurd and incompetent their action was
reply
havenisse2009
Welcome to a VERY slight feeling of how entering USA is for foreigners. 2 km queues and a single angry looking agent who can't be bothered to make things efficient. At least you are not forced to give details of every family member 3 generations back and have your phone searched, and you are not threatned to be dumpded in a concrete hole.
reply
Welcome to a VERY slight feeling of how entering USA is for foreigners. 2 km queues and a single angry looking agent who can't be bothered to make things efficient. At least you are not forced to give details of every family member 3 generations back and have your phone searched, and you are not threatned to be dumpded in a concrete hole.
reply
RinusBakker
So would you have preferred to do a similar crash like Malaysian MH17 Jeeez. The whole Aviation Industry in or over the ME gets badly kicked in the nuts, but Baby Noel complains about 'the world's weirdest route'. Did you even compare it with other re-routed destinations of other Carriers, since the Ucraine War and the ME series of Wars
reply
So would you have preferred to do a similar crash like Malaysian MH17 Jeeez. The whole Aviation Industry in or over the ME gets badly kicked in the nuts, but Baby Noel complains about 'the world's weirdest route'. Did you even compare it with other re-routed destinations of other Carriers, since the Ucraine War and the ME series of Wars
reply
fitosolares
I don't know if I would have switched those wonderful and rare middle row 3 seats that you had all for yourself for a window seat, especially on an 11-hour flight. When I fly home to Latin America it's always at least 11 hours and all I wish for is to be able to lay down. To each their own I guess.
reply
I don't know if I would have switched those wonderful and rare middle row 3 seats that you had all for yourself for a window seat, especially on an 11-hour flight. When I fly home to Latin America it's always at least 11 hours and all I wish for is to be able to lay down. To each their own I guess.
reply
RolandKoreman-n2s
A short and sweet one. Amsterdam passport control has always been a nightmare. When the e-gates work, it has been better, but if they’re out, it’s one of the worst places to be. I’m just wondering what you made of the KLM lounge once you got past those lovely jenever houses
reply
A short and sweet one. Amsterdam passport control has always been a nightmare. When the e-gates work, it has been better, but if they’re out, it’s one of the worst places to be. I’m just wondering what you made of the KLM lounge once you got past those lovely jenever houses
reply
wb8ert
5: 32 I'm admiring your footwear, but can't figure it out. I see a pair of sneakers with the rear bing a brown leather, but on the floor looks to be a white rubber toe cap and navy or black canvas upper (Chuck like. What footwear did you use for this flight Thank you.
reply
5: 32 I'm admiring your footwear, but can't figure it out. I see a pair of sneakers with the rear bing a brown leather, but on the floor looks to be a white rubber toe cap and navy or black canvas upper (Chuck like. What footwear did you use for this flight Thank you.
reply
noel_philips
How awesome was it getting that winds seat! Yeah Noel! You rock dude. That’s why it opened up. You are vibing well with the universe. Your attitude is why so many cool things happen to you. Great video my friend. See yiu in Atlanta
reply
How awesome was it getting that winds seat! Yeah Noel! You rock dude. That’s why it opened up. You are vibing well with the universe. Your attitude is why so many cool things happen to you. Great video my friend. See yiu in Atlanta
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
