AC First Class (1st AC) vs Flights for travel during Covid ?

First things first, this blog post does not intend to promote travelling during Covid 19 Pandemic. It is expected from all of us to stay at home as much as possible and avoid venturing out except in case of an absolute emergency. This blog post is meant for those emergency situations where you have to travel long distance for family emergency or other unavoidable circumstances.

During present times where “Social Distancing” is the prime necessity, parameters such as travel time and comfort have become redundant. The safest way to travel would definitely be through a private vehicle but when distances are large, it has its own challenges. Under such circumstances we are left with only two choices (at least in India) – Trains and Flights.

The choice seems to be easy right ?

Most of us might think that flying would definitely be a better option than crowded Indian trains.

Well, I would request you to hold on to your thoughts for a bit and decide after reading what I have to say below :

Although AC First class is the oldest form of AC class accommodation offered by Indian Railways but at the same time it has been the least popular among general populous owing to its high cost which is at par with flight fares. The popularity of AC first class (1^st AC) has grown tremendously since Covid 19 outbreak and it is solely because of one of the biggest advantages of implied social distancing offered by 1^st AC class in Indian Railways which even the flights can’t offer.

1^st AC is the most expensive and luxurious class that exists in Indian Railways. It comprises of separate compartments with sliding doors that can be closed thus making them sort of a private room, completely cut-off from other passengers and ensuring maximum level of social distancing possible. In addition to that, births are wider as compared to other classes like 3A/2A/Sleeper.

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There are a maximum of 24 berths/seats present in a 1^st AC coach which are distributed in the form of 4 births compartments (known as Cabins) and 2 births compartments (known as coupes). These cabins and coupes are like your own air-conditioned small rooms perfectly cut-off from other passengers travelling in the same coach. Even in a flight, you cannot get this level of privacy and social distancing. Economy class in flights will have 150-200 passengers on an average sharing a common open space for the entire journey period.

You can book a coupe (2 birth compartment) if you are travelling with one more companion. In case you are travelling in a large group, you can book a combination of coupes and cabins depending on the no of passengers.

Apart from social distancing, the second biggest advantage of 1^st AC over flights is permitted baggage allowance. Maximum permissible baggage allowance in 1^st AC is 70 Kg per passenger as compared to standard 15 Kg allowance in flights. It is a huge advantage for those who are shifting from one place to another during covid times.

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Apologies for low quality pictures. At the time of my journey, I wasn’t aware that I would be writing a blog about it someday.

Advantages of First AC over Flights

• Highest level of privacy and social distancing ensured in 1^st AC class which is the prime necessity for travel during covid.
• Maximum of 24 passengers per coach and that too in separate closed-door compartments.
• Wider births, separate dust-bins, reading lights, tables in each compartment.
• 70 KGs permitted baggage allowance per passenger as compared to 15 KGs in flights.
• Direct connectivity to small cities and remote locations which do not have an airport.
• Cost of travel at par with flight fare with an added advantage of full refund (except minimal cancellation charge) in case you want to cancel your journey for whatsoever reasons.

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The only disadvantage of train travel in 1st AC class over flying is the travel time but, in my point of view, necessity of ensuring least contact with fellow passengers trumps over travel time at least during these tough times of covid pandemic.

A guy like me, who has been a train enthusiast his entire life , travelled in 1^st AC for the first time during this pandemic. I was very much impressed by the facilities, cleanliness and comfort during the entire journey of 20 hours from Mumbai to my hometown. In my point of view, 20 hours of travel time in a closed AC room was much safer than a 2 hour flight with common sitting cabin on economy class.

Now tell me, What will you choose ?

Disclaimer – This blog does not represent the thoughts, intentions, plans or strategies of any organization/employer. It is solely based on my personal knowledge, research and opinion.