Iconic Films

2 for 1 tickets to Singin' In The Rain, this coming Monday. Book now

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Sunday Times
September 30, 2007

Book now for the flight to nowhere

Matthew Campbell

AN INDIAN entrepreneur has given a new twist to the concept of low-cost airlines. The passengers boarding his Airbus 300 in Delhi do not expect to go anywhere because it never takes off.

All they want is the chance to know what it is like to sit on a plane, listen to announcements and be waited on by stewardesses bustling up and down the aisle.

In a country where 99% of the population have never experienced air travel, the “virtual journeys” of Bahadur Chand Gupta, a retired Indian Airlines engineer, have proved a roaring success.

As on an ordinary aircraft, customers buckle themselves in and watch a safety demonstration. But when they look out of the windows, the landscape never changes. Even if “Captain” Gupta wanted to get off the ground, the plane would not go far: it only has one wing and a large part of the tail is missing.

None of that bothers Gupta as he sits at the controls in his cockpit. His regular announcements include, “We will soon be passing through a zone of turbulence” and “We are about to begin our descent into Delhi.”

“Some of my passengers have crossed the country to get on this plane,” says Gupta, who charges about £2 each for passengers taking the “journey”.

The plane has no lighting and the lavatories are out of order. The air-conditioning is powered by a generator. Even so, about 40 passengers turn up each Saturday to queue for boarding cards.

Gupta bought the plane in 2003 from an insurance company. It was dismantled and then put together again ina southern suburb of Delhi. The Indian Airline logo on the fuselage has been replaced by the name Gupta.

Passengers are looked after by a crew of six, including Gupta’s wife, who goes up and down the aisle with her drinks trolley, serving meals in airline trays.

Some of the stewardesses hope to get jobs on proper planes one day and regard it as useful practice.

As for the passengers, they are too poor to afford a real airline ticket and most have only ever seen the interior of an aircraft in films.

“I see planes passing all day long over my roof,” Selim, a 40-year-old tyre mechanic was quoted as saying. “I had to try out the experience.”

Jasmine, a young teacher, had been longing to go on a plane. “It is much more beautiful than I ever imagined,” she said.

for all those who doubt the existense of this and call it a hoax... fodder for your eyes..

http://gizmodo.com/tag/bahadur-chand-gupta/

Cheers,

Suresh Tulshyan, Bangalore, India

If Its a hoax its a great one.

Fergus, Spain,

How out of the box thinking can satiate the needs of many is examplified by this story. A truely heart-warming tale indeed.

Varun Arora, mumbai, India

I've never had drinks served on my plane flights, and I bet they don't have to go though customs, I doubt anybody would pay for that waste of time. I think I might like it better that way.

Sarah, kansas city, mo

This is a heart-warming story of someone providing people with an experience that they are happy to pay for. Good for him.
And shame on the curmudgeons who diss this story.

Mark, Aylesbury, UK

I have a feeling that Bahadur Gupta is a hoax. Can you provide evidence that this guy and his business really exists? I have written Indian airlines and some friends in Delhi about this guy, and none of them can substantiate his existence, e.g. a business email address or business address.

Jackie Chen, San Francisco, CA U.S.A.

Sad story

Silvio, Paris, France

Where exactly is this plane situation in delhi. How do i get there? It really would be helpful if the author could provide this information. I really am interested in getting there and taking this trip

vicky, New Delhi, India

dear author
A wonderful write up indeed. But it would have been more helpful if you could kindly tell me where exactly the planed is based at. How to reach there. I surely would like to take a trip on this plane. There does not seem to be any information on where the plane is located, when it is open and stuff like that. Kindly provide me with the required inforamtion.

vicky, New Delhi, India

From what has been happening in the good ol' USA I'd say that the 'passengers' are ahead of the game.

At least they get drinks while they sit on the ground and go nowhere.

Santa Claus, North Pole, The Arctic

the example above clearly shows how the things we take for granted make such an impact to others less fortunante :)

hemant, Singapore,

Those crazy injuns!

It's a bit like the 'living on the street' holidays in the US and Europe.

John Evans, London, UK

Have your say

* Required

Also in Asia News

Also in World News

Pictures of the Day

The shoes of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko are seen as she makes a statement in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Lawmakers loyal to Ukraine's prime minister have prevented President Viktor Yushchenko from addressing parliament Tuesday, intensifying a dispute between the two leaders. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

A selection of the best images from around the world

Slide Show

China earthquake rescue

Chinese soldiers clear rubble from a collapsed building a day after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the town of Mianzhu

Rescuers are struggling to reach survivors of the Sichuan earthquake

Slide Show

Asia News

A man crouches in the remains of a home in Laputta in the Irrawaddy Delta division of Burma

Up to 50,000 dead as cyclone Nargis hits Burmese delta

Slide Show

China child virus

A woman pushes a stroller with as a child wears a face mask near a children's hospital in Beijing

An intestinal virus has killed at least 28 children so far in China

Slide Show

Comment    

Bronwen Maddox

open quote mark Providing aid to a country in trouble, such as Burma, should be easy unless the country does not welcome the offer of helpclose quote mark

More...
Bronwen Maddox

Comment Central

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius delivers the Democrat response to the State of the Union at Cedar Crest

Could she be Vice President?

Find out Barack Obama's top ten Vice Presidential picks

    Picture galleries

    Aminata Munle, a young woman who was raped by rebel soldiers during the recent civil war in Sierra Leone

    Photojournalism

    The best photography from around the world

    Most Read

    Skip Most Read

    Today

    MOST COMMENTED

    Skip Editor's Pick

    Today

    MOST CURIOUS

    Skip Most Curious

    Today

    Focus Zone

    Film reel

    Top 100 Films:

    Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love.

    horses

    Alternative Investments:

    Have you ever dreamed of owning your own racehorse or a beautiful painting?

    Toyota Auris

    Places & Spaces:

    Enjoy comfort, safety, space and great design. Plus enter our great competition

    Focus zone, pets, 100x100

    Perfect Pets:

    Allow Times Online TV show, Perfect Pets help you make the the right pet decisions

    California

    Totally California:

    Are you California dreaming? Explore the wonders of the Golden State. Also enter our fantastic competition

    Nikon D40X camera

    Young Photographer:

    Do you have what it takes to be a Times photographer?

    Train your brain

    Surprise Yourself:

    Your brain is capable of more than you might think...

    Wealth Management:

    Find out to make the most of your money with our wealth management guides

    Boards advertising property for sale and rent are seen in east London

    Property Guides:

    Need help with your property? We have an entire how to guide - buying, selling, letting, moving, to help you

    Best 100 Green Companies

    Best Green Companies:

    We are seeking entries for the inaugural Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards

    RSPB

    Love Nature:

    Enjoy some wonderful inspiring wildlife moments

    James Bond eye image

    James Bond:

    An interactive preview of the brand new For Your Eyes Only exhibition

    previous next

    QUICKLINKS

    Sudoku 

    Skip Sudoku

    70 x 70 JPEG

    Now Interactive

    Love Sudoku? Play our brand new interactive game: with added functionality and daily prizes

      Career/Jobs 

      Skip Career/Jobs

      70 x 70 JPEG

      Forget burnout, boreout is the new office disease

      Are you irritable when you return from work? Drained of emotion? You could be suffering from boreout

        Podcasts 

        Skip Podcasts

        70 x 70 JPEG

        The Bugle - Dead Hill Walking

        John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman beg Hillary to pack it in

          Driving 

          Skip Driving

          70 x 70 JPEG

          Jeremy Clarkson's greatest hits

          Prepare for some shock and awe, petrol lovers. Despite the greens trying to wipe it out, the car is about to offer us the most exciting year ever

            Travel 

            Skip Travel

            70 x 70 JPEG

            100 summer holidays for '08

            We've trawled the brochures and websites to find this summer’s best holidays for every taste and budget

            Skip Photo Galleries
            70 x 70 JPEG

            Photo Galleries

            Pictures of the Day

            A selection of the best images from around the world

              The Singapore skyline pictured at night

              Business City Guides

              Overseas contacts and local business information

              Services

              Cheese

              Best Artisan Cheeses, £27.50

              Direct from the farms

              Classifieds 

              Cars

              Skip Cars of the Week

              Jaguar XKR Supercharged Coupe

              2007/07
              £57,500
              South East England

              BMW 630Ci

              2007/07
              £40,995
              South East England

              BMW M5

              2006/06
              £41,995
              South East England

              Car insurance

              Great car insurance deals online


              Jobs

              Skip Jobs of the Week
              Business Development & Relationship Managers

              £40-55k+benefits+uncapped commission
              Morgan Keating
              South East

              Senior Process Manager

              £60k plus excellent benefits
              Barclaycard
              Stockton / Northampton

              Project Manager – Pioneering Change

              £ £55,000 - £75,000 plus bonus and benefits
              Diligenta
              Based in Peterborough

              Public Members

              Unpaid with travel expenses
              Network Rail

              Properties

              Househunting. Without the hunt.

              Globrix, the property search engine

              Looking for a new home?

              Visit Times Online Property for homes for sale or rent

              Leicester LE3

              Residential development site with planning permission
              £1,500,000

              Barclays Buy Abroad

              Mortgages, bank accounts & money transfers to help you buy abroad

              Holidays

              Skip Travel of the Week

              Mauritius

              Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa 7 nights
              From £1830 per person – saving £530.

              Explore the French Pyrenees

              Walking & multi-activity holidays in Cauterets. Stylish self-catering apartments.
              From 350€ for 7 nights.

              Funway Holidays Int Inc

              SAVE 25% on Sandals Luxury Resorts


              Travel insurance

              Great travel insurance deals online


              Place your advert now