I flew though India's newest and fanciest airport this week. Compared to DEL and BOM, and the previous BLR, this is very impressive - open, airy, and brightly lit. And its well set for retail and food choices - in the domestic departures area I spotted a Illy in addition to the Barista, and there were a couple of food places you could easily eat at. The single runway didn't cause any noticeable delays or flight backups, and contrary to what I had been told, getting in and out to the city was easy (I landed around late in the night and left around noon).
Air India and Kingfisher are now both starting non-stop SFO - BLR flights. The latter is the better option, since Air India business class is normally filled up with freebie tickets and free upgrades for every possible government employee, and (based on my one and only flight on Air India when I had to take the only available option to Kenya) you would be better off in the cargo bay than traveling the back of the bus. Its more than 8,700 miles over the Arctic Circle, so getting a good seat is going to be really important.
BLR is a preview of Indian air travel to come, and thanks to privatization and capital markets, India is getting ready to fly.
