Lufthansa sucks, Paramount Airlines does not.

Today, after having literally been taken for a ride all over creation by a cheating auto driver in Chennai, I've blown that popsickle stand and have made it safely to Madurai -- though I almost didn't get a flight down here today. It would appear that the lady with whom I tried to book the ticket three days ago didn't think I actually WANTED the ticket so she didn't buy it. I'm not sure what part of "I definitely want this ticket, please go ahead and book it for me" she didn't understand. I am sure that it was my fault, though. These amiguous interactions happen quite often here, and it isn't until after the fact that you realize there was a big misunderstanding and the person didn't mean what they seemed to be saying. It wasn't a language problem, but some other sort of communication breakdown.

So when I went downstairs this morning I discovered there was no ticket. Fortunately I was able to get a seat on this new Chennai-based airline "Paramount Airlines." At first I was worried because I have never heard of this airline. But it turns out there was nothing to worry. In fact, Paramount Airlines rules, as do all the other (private) domestic airlines in India that I have flown. Want to be treated like royalty? Then you need to fly on this airline. Want to be overcharged, cheated and treated like shit? Then please feel free to fly any American or European airlines.

The central idea behind Paramount airlines is that "everyone is business class." And they are serious. Plenty of room in the plane, no middle seats, two Tamil newspapers and The Hindu (English paper) at every seat for your reading pleasure. Before takeoff we were given bottled water, juices, candy, and a wet washcloth to scrub the air pollution off our faces. After takeoff we shot up into the air like a bullet, and within 5 minutes the friendly flight attendants were bringing us a three course meal. UNBELIEVABLE. This is a 55-minute flight, folks. I paid Lufthansa $1500 for them to (yet again) NOT register my mutiple advance requests/reminders for vegetarian food and to then have them guilt trip me on the plane and accuse me of lying when I insisted they locate some veg food. EARTH TO AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN AIRLINES! Take a clue from the private Indian airlines and start valuing your customers. Today I paid $75 to fly to Madurai and was treated like royalty. Furthermore, this Indian airline did NOT charge me for excess kilos (as a courtesy b/c I had flown from overseas) while Lufthansa stole an additional $50 from me at the Philadelphia airport.

I'm back in Madurai and am tired and dirty. Worried about getting myself settled here. Hopefully tomorrow will go okay.

This is what hospitality looks like on a 55-minute flight in India.

Outskirts of Madurai, from the plane.

It's quite a different pace on the outskirts of town.
And a nice break from hectic Chennai.