Sorry no pictures as this was an unexpected trip. Had to rush back to Chennai as the return train tickets were not confirmed because of the heavy Diwali rush. 

AI856    Kuwait to Mumbai via Cochin and Chennai

Travelled from: Cochin to Chennai   

Date: October 22, 2006 
Departure from Kuwait at 0010  

Boarded at Cochin at 0850

Arrival at Chennai 0940

(4 hours late)  

Aircraft: Airbus A310  VT-AIN  "Damodar"     Engines: P&W-4152

Manufactured: 1993

(Was bought on 28/10/1993 by Singapore Airlines 9V-STD; Stored at Singapore 2004; Leased to Air India on 01/06/2005 as Air India VT-AIN).

Details:

Managed to reach the airport at the lasrt minute as the tickets were arranged at the last minute. Counter was about to close. Many thanks to CISF who helped a lot especailly through security as boarding had already started.  

Temp was 28 degrees.

Seat was 22A
International flight which was very late and on its return leg from Kuwait. (Left India late on its onward journey as one of the engines was playing up, according to the cabin crew). 

Aircraft was in a terrible state going by its interiors. Seat belts were badly frayed and caked with layers of dirt.
On boarding, we almost collapsed because of the overpowering stench/odour which was like warm curry, musty cloth/socks. Added to this was the lemon air freshner.

Fifty-minute flight 
Served a sandwich, a cake and two fruit juice tetrapacks (one made in Kuwait and synthetic strawberry based, while the other was grape and made in Saudi Arabia.) Had the juice chucked at us by the crew who forgot to add them to the tray. 

Flight was 90% full with most passengers being workers coming for an extended holiday for Deepavali.

Cabin crew looked eager to reach Mumbai. Looked very tired.

The three cabin crew in Economy were elderly and very overweight. Chief Airhostess (Mrs Smita Kapoor) had an overcoating of bright red lipstick. Glared at everyone. Was seen rushing after a few passengers, who on boarding, assumed the flight was free seating. Almost hammered them into their allotted seats.

Purser (H.L.. Dua) was impatient and fat. Told a guy  in 22D who was fiddling with the life vest to leave it. 

Crew made no attempt to clear trays. Had to demand our cup of coffee/tea as there was a coffee cup with sugar in it. Only coffee was served.

Toilets were clean.

Inflight entertainment was a "digest" of film clippings, a news digest and some other rubbish which appeared unfocussed and hard to see. Barely visible on the shabby screen.

An emergency and flight safety video was screened which was good.

Inflight music was well selected, which was what we listened to till we reached Chennai.

Some passengers in the front seats (suspect it to be Row 21) had digestive problems!! (you can guess what I mean).  Added to the smell.

Only plus point was the ample legroom.

Landing gear made loud creaking sounds. Landing was smooth. Inflight announcement was okay.

ILS was "temporarily disrupted" (according to the flight deck), so landing was from the Kancheepuram end. Circled around and came in for a smooth touch down.

Temp outside was 33 degrees.

At the aerobridge in 8 minutes nest to a Sri Lankan A330, Emirates A330 and an Indian A300. 

IFE details:

Music:

INDIAN CLASSICAL 180 MINUTES (Channel not working)
WESTERN CLASSICAL 180 MINUTES
JAZZ 45 MINUTES
ENGLISH POPULAR 90 MINUTES (Channel not working)
DANCE HITS 90 MINUTES
COUNTRY 45 MINUTES
QAWALI 60 MINUTES
GHAZAL TIME 120 MINUTES (Channel not working)
REGIONAL 210 MINUTES
FOREIGN 180 MINUTES
NOSTALGIA PLUS 60 MINUTES (Channel not working)
CHILDREN’S WORLD 120 MINUTES (Channel not working)
BOLLYWOOD HITS 180 MINUTES

Films:
36 China Town, Show Time - VI

(Channel details were a mess in "Namaskaar" as it had the list for the entire Air India fleet. Crew had to be asked which channel it was and kept getting annoyed.

Located it in "Namaskaar" as "A310 (Other -- SIA dry lease"!!!)