Review of Star Air flight from Hyderabad to Pune in Business

Star Air S5173 Hyderabad to Pune

Flight details:
Airline: Star Air
Flight: S5173 HYD - PNQ
Reg: VT-GSU
Aircraft: Embraer E175LR
Seat: 2A [Original - 15A]
Departure Hyderabad Airport Terminal 1 Gate 104 : 06:00AM IST
Arrival Pune Airport Terminal 2: 07:10AM IST
Total time: 00hr 56mins

Video: Star Air S5173 Hyderabad to Pune

Bharat Udan - Flight 10

This is the last report from Bharat Udan series of March 2025. I reached Hyderabad on Air India, 

Read the flight report -

Air India AI544 Delhi to Hyderabad

I stayed overnight in Hyderabad to board this flight.

This was my second trip on this route. Previously in 2014, I had flown on Air India from Hyderabad to Pune.

Read flight report here -

Hyderabad (HYD) - Pune (PNQ) on Air India (AI)

As I was unfamiliar with the Flight-report website, I left the airport code as Mumbai instead of Pune as it was not listed.

Bharat udan route map

Due to rescheduling of a flight from Pune, I had to cancel the next two flights. I received the refund for both the cancelled flights.
 
The Bharat Udan flight map is as below.

Booking

I booked this flight with StarAir website. As seen below the flight schedule was 6.45am.

I selected the seat for this flight.

Filled details and completed payment 

On the previous night, I received an email informing the flight departure was rescheduled by 45mins.

Check-in

I completed the web check-in through the airline website.

Acknowledged the terms and conditions.

Prior to departure I checked the flight status to confirm the flight was rescheduled.

Flight departure was confirmed.

Travel to airport

I had to wake up early to get organise bag before departure.
 
I had gathered shuttle bus information from the hotel reception on the previous night. 

I checked out of the room and handed room key to reception.

Flight and shuttle bus schedule. As can be seen from the photo, I was in the lobby at 3.30a.m.

Bus arrived 15mins before for the 4.00am departure . Few other passengers boarded as well.

After 20 mins ride reached the arrivals area.

Crossed the road

I saw city side check-in decided to check if it was available for this flight.

Escalator to lower floor

City side check-in

Flight schedule in Hindi

In Telugu

English

Flight was not listed for the city side check-in, returning to ground level

Walking towards the departure

Art work 

Departure Entry

I took a escalator to the upper floor.

Video: Hyderabad Airport Entry to Departure

Walking towards departure entry gate

Showed booking and passport and was allowed in the check-in area.

Check-in

Check-in was close by and there was no queue.

I dropped the bag and received boarding pass.

Boarding pass for the flight

View of check-in area

Star Air check-in row K for this flight.

I decided to head for security check

Security check

To enter the security check, have to scan the boarding pass. I got my electronics and personal items arranged in the tray. Passed without issue.

Departure area

Entered the departure area after completing security.

Walking towards the departure gate.

It was early morning to have fast food, skipped and continued walking.

Walking towards end of pier.

Walking towards shops

Some boutique were open.

I found a restaurant open and ordered Chai as other items would take longer to make.

Following the gate direction

Taking escalator to lower floor

Following the gate sign

Bus gate visible

Boarding was about to open, I explored the gate area.

Boarding commenced

I decided to head towards the gate.

Boarding

I reached the gate and scanned the boarding pass. I was then allowed to continue outside to board bus.

Bus ride

After boarding bus, waited few minutes for other passengers to board.

Video: Hyderabad Airport Bus Ride

A 5-10 min bus ride followed. 
View of Star Air aircraft parked in bus bay.

Star Air VT-GSU operating S5173 to Pune.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: Star Air
Registration: VT-GSU  
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ-175
Age [2025] : 12.7 Years
Seat Config: C12Y64

I deboarded the bus and joined the queue.

Ground crew checking boarding passes.

Followed others to board.

Boarding pass checked, boarding by stairs.

Onboard

Boarded the aircraft and passed the business class section.

Business class in 1-2 seating configuration

Entering the economy class, which was 2-2 seating config

Curtains separating the sections

Reached the seat and organised self.

Boarding continued.

Air vents and lights

Boarding continued as another bus load of passengers arrived. Economy cabin was full. My neighbouring seat was occupied.

Upgrade to Business

Crew announced that if some wishes to upgrade to Business class to contact the cabin crew. I asked the male crew, how much it would cost to upgrade. 

I was ok with the price and informed crew that I would like to upgrade. I told him that I would pay in cash.  

I collected the handbag and moved to the Business section. 

He printed the receipt and I paid cash. I informed him that I had booked this flight to fly the Embraer and StarAir. He wished me a pleasant flight.
Crew also allowed 4 other females into the forward cabin to balance the weight. I was the only one who had paid to upgrade. 

Cabin service

Business cabin was empty, I chose to seat in 2A.

Crew asked me what I would like to have for drink, option was orange or apple juice. I asked for apple.

Glass with star air logo.

Pushback

Boarding was completed and aircraft was ready for pushback. Doors closed.

Stair removed. Cabin crew conducted safety demonstrations.

Dawn light as aircraft was pushed. 

Aircraft pushback in progress, 

View of airside

Pushback completed

Cabin lights turned off for departure.

Taxi and departure

A long taxi followed towards runway 09R

Air India Express overnight in Hyderabad

Indigo

Aircraft waited for an incoming flight to land before lining up on runway 09R-27L

Video: Departure | Hyderabad Airport

Indigo holding for Star Air to depart

Window view

Seat Pocket Content

After departure, I checked the seat pocket and found the safety card. 

Star Air Embraer 175 safety card

Safety card

Middle 

back of the card

Inflight magazine - The rising star

Menu

Crew came to me and asked what I would like to have. Option was Rava Upma or Veg Poha. I chose the Poha.

More menu

Beverage

Non- alcoholic. 

Note -
Alcohol is not served on Indian domestic flights.

Back cover

Meal tray  was heavy.

Cabin view

Other passengers not ready for the day.

Empty business class

Instructions in English and Hindi.

Seat view as crew organised my breakfast.

Back cushion

Breakfast

Crew got the Poha packed and tea.

Asked me to wait for 5mins before opening.

I opened the packed and started to eat. Poha was soft. Taste was spicy for me.

Had tea along with the Poha. Waited for crew to clear the rubbish.

Window view as the aircraft was cruising.

Descend in Pune

As it was short flight, time passed very quickly as I rested.

Pilot announced aircraft would commence descend in 10min.

Pune city view on approach

Pune being a military airport, airside photography and videography is prohibited.

Arrival Terminal

After landing on runway 10-28, aircraft slowed and parked in front of the old terminal building. Pune has a new terminal building. 

Through the window saw the new Air India livery on the Airbus A320, Spicejet and Indigo.
 
Door was opened and I was 1st to disembark, being the only business passenger. 
I disembarked and walked towards the arrival terminal. 

Flight had landed at 7.10a.m

Arrival information

Entered the building and reached the baggage belt.

Baggage belt 1

After about 10mins of wait, bags arrived. 

Collected the checked bag and walked towards the exit.

Stepping outside the arrivals

I followed the Aeromall sign

Old terminal building - currently disused.

Transport

Walking towards Aeromall to catch transport.

Public transport information

Video: Airport Arrival to Transport

Escalator to upper level

Following signs

I reached the pre-paid rickshaw kiosk.

Paid Rs 275 for the ride to Pune station bus stop.

Rickshaw ride

Video: Pune Rickshaw Ride

Reached Pune bus station

Walked to counter to ask which bus to Mumbai.

I was directed to board Shivneri which would drop me in Mumbai. I was told to buy ticket in Aundh.

Bus view

Seat view

Bus departed on time

Video: Bus ride from Pune to Mumbai

Pune city view

In Aundh, A ticket conductor boarded and I bought the ticket. Paid Rs590 [AUD$10.60 or USD$6.87 for a 149kms - 3 hr bus ride]

Bus stopped for rest break after 2hrs of ride.

Food court

Shivneri bus

Bus to Mumbai. I reached home at 11a.m.

Flight and aircraft information

Flight information

Flight route

Video: Star Air S5173 Hyderabad to Pune route

Aircraft information

Aircraft rotation

Flight details

Star Air S5172 details

Aircraft details

Flight details

End of Bharat Udan series.

Hope you enjoyed this trip report.

Thanks for reading and watching the video.

:)