The NEO has been touted as a game changer for its operators, increasing profitability via lower fuel burn and hence, lower operating costs. But what is it like for the ordinary passenger. Can the average Joe perceive a better aircraft? Determined to answer that question for ourselves, we boarded G8-345 at Cochin International airport (COK) for a quick 2 hour flight to Mumbai International..
GoAir Airbus A320 NEO - First look
The Airbus A320NEO is a re-engine development of the best selling Airbus A320 family. NEO, of course, stands for New Engine Option. This version of the narrow-body airliner was launched in 2010. It first flew in September 2014 and entered into service in January 2016. GoAir received its first NEO in June 2016 making it the third airline in the world to operate the NEO.As of January 2017, India has the largest number of Airbus A320NEOs in operation as well as the highest number of NEO operators. IndiGo and GoAir operate the NEO, and Air India and Vistara are slated to induct a few NEOs into their fleets in 2017.
The NEO has been touted as a game changer for its operators, increasing profitability via lower fuel burn and hence, lower operating costs. Airbus claims that the NEO's technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one.
We arrived at Cochin International Airport (COK) at Nedumbassery, Kerala. Got a glimpse of the new International Terminal coming up at COK thats scheduled to be ready in 2017.
Some details of the flight:
Flight No: G8 345
STD: 19:35
Sector: COK-BOM
Aircraft Rego: VT-WGB,
Type: Airbus A320NEO
Just like real estate, three things dictate a good aircraft experience; Location, location, location.! On this flight, we were to make our astute observations from a prime location, Seat 3A, which on GoAir, is on the row right behind their GoBusiness Class! The seat also promised a splendid view of the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engine hanging under the left wing.
While on our way to the aircraft, we came across these nifty Automated kiosks for Self Check-in for use by passengers travelling by Air India, Jet Airways and IndiGo. Well, we just had to talk to a human being over a regular check-in counter like ordinary folk. Not that it was bad or anything; GoAir employs the most courteous and friendly staff at COK, just that we were eager to use those shiny kiosks... Also, this might as well be the last time we’d use this terminal, since CIAL, the airport operator, plans to convert this section of the terminal into a Corporate Aviation Terminal once Domestic flights shift into the current international terminal, while international operations in turn would shift to T3, the new terminal building.
G8-345 was supposed to be a sunset departure, meaning we had a chance for sufficient sunlight for good tarmac shots during boarding. However, lounging in the trademark wooden chairs in the departure lounge and glancing at the FlightRadar24 app on the phone, we realised that the inbound flight from BOM had been delayed and the pilot had not been able to make up for the lost time and was still miles away from COK.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the entry for G8-345 on the Flight Information Display System (FDIS) was rescheduled to 20:00 hrs, confirming our fears that the boarding process now happen in total darkness.. to make matters worse, the plane was assigned a relatively poorly lit bay, far from the terminal. So we couldn't take any pics worth posting here.
Boarding commenced shortly and we were bussed out to the gleaming NEO. The ageing ground equipment of AIATSL sharply contrasted with the shiny NEO.
The aircraft smelt lovely, looked spic n span, as a 2 month old should be! The boarding passengers were sinking into their comfy seats, looking around at shiny aluminium and rich fabric. Surely they could sense that this was a brand new aircraft.
Economy class was mostly full with just a few seats going unoccupied. Only one seat in GoBusiness was occupied. A higher occupancy for GoBusiness on the inbound flight may have been possible, going by the used blankets carelessly strewn on unoccupied GoBusiness seats.
Todays aircraft, VT-WGB Airbus A320NEO MSN 7074, first flew on 10 May 2016, a mere 74 days old!! It is GoAir’s 21st aircraft, G8’s second NEO and features Spaceflex cabin configuration with 186 seats. As with all other G8 planes, this one too has the first two rows designated as "GoBusiness Class", featuring more legroom and a vacant middle seat.
The flight was commanded by Captain (Ms) Ishmeet Grover, assisted by First officer Rahul. Recorded announcements were being played over the PA while pushback commenced at 20:27. Engines were then idled for around three minutes as recommended by Engine Manufacturers Pratt & Whitney. The safety demonstrations, which were done to a pre-recorded message, were executed during this 3 minute period.
The aircraft then commenced a fast taxi to Runway 27 via the parallel taxiway followed by a rolling takeoff!
VT- WGB banked right upon climb out, turning north toward Mumbai and climbed to cruising altitude by 20:48. The seatbelt signs stayed on, however, due to significant turbulence. The seatbelt sign was eventually switched off at 9 pm. "Mahatvapoorn" announcements were played back as feed back forms were handed out to passengers.. This was followed by the food cart being rolled down the aisle.
Onboard shopping followed shortly. G8 flight crew came about displaying products on sale. The cabin crew definitely had commendable selling skills and clinched many a sale.
It turned out that the flight was carrying one of G8's senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) who was certified on the NEO. Couldn't lose the opportunity to have a chat with him, now, could we? He was very cordial to speak to. He revealed that there was a temporary shortage of 'NEO certified' AMEs at the airline. More specifically, the AME at COK wasn't yet DGCA certified for the NEO, requiring him to make this round trip to COK. The airline is working on eliminating this shortage, he said. Regarding the 3 minute mandatory idling, he said that it wasn't making much of a difference at short turnarounds. The delay was longer (about 4 minutes) on the first flight of the day, he said. He also confirmed our observations that the NEO was also noticeably quieter than the Current Engine Option A320 (CEO) and that the pressurisation system was also more comfortable.
This pretty much answered the questions that prompted us to take this sojourn. A keen passenger would certainly notice the quieter engines and the pressurisation system, while the benefits of operation would definitely give an edge to NEO operators over its competitors.
Descent into BOM started at around 21:35. G8-345 had followed the coastal route right up to BOM. A smooth approach of Rwy 27, followed by a rather long flare before a smooth landing and rollout at 10:19 pm, turning off RET N8 and a short taxi to T1A.
It was raining in BOM when we landed.. The plane taxied to bay A7 which has an aerobridge gate in T1, pulling up next to sister-ship VT- GOQ. This plane would continue on to Delhi and there were at least a dozen passengers who remained seated. Possibly international connection pax via DEL? One last look at the aircraft we bid adieu to the bird, as it stood framed against a wet Mumbai airport apron and a lit up Mumbai skyline.
