What is an air bubble/travel bubble?
Also known as travel bridges or corona corridors, an air bubble refers to the temporary bilateral agreement between countries under which airlines of respective countries can operate international flights within the designated zone. Air bubble flight passengers can travel between these countries with few or no restrictions at all. Currently, India has travel bubble arrangements with more than 27 countries, including US, UK, UAE, Qatar, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iraq, Oman, and Ukraine. The air bubble flights are the only means of traveling by air as scheduled international flights remain suspended.
When will India resume regular/scheduled international passenger flights?
It's been more than a year since India banned scheduled international passenger flights due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In view of the COVID-19 situation within India and across the world, the Civil Aviation Ministry has announced the extension of the international travel ban till the end of this month, and it is likely to be extended further for a few more months. Nevertheless, VBM flights and air bubble flights continue to facilitate travel between USA and India, and we will continue to book the best air bubble flights as long as scheduled international passenger flights to India remain suspended. Trust us for booking your travel from the USA to India.
Who can travel on air bubble flights from USA to India?:
Stranded Indian nationals holding a valid visa, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin Card (PIO) cardholders with US passports, and foreign nationals with a valid visa (as guided by the Ministry of Home Affairs) can travel to India on air bubble flights for any purpose, except for tourism. As for the e-visas, the Government of India has restored certain categories of electronic visas i.e., e-medical visa, e-medical attendant visa, e-business visa, and e-conference visa with effect from 30 March 2021. Please be noted that e-visas dated before 30 March 2021 are invalid and only those travelers who have obtained an e-visa for the aforementioned four categories on or after 30 March 2021 will be allowed entry into India. The e-Tourist Visa category remains suspended.
How to book air bubble flights from USA to India with Indian Eagle?
You can effortlessly book air bubble flights between the USA and India with us. Just enter an origin airport, a destination airport, and other details in the flight search box above, and click the button ?SEARCH FLIGHTS?. All the itineraries for available air bubble flights from your origin to the destination will be displayed in a moment. Select a suitable itinerary, review your travel dates and other details, and book the flight. The booking procedure is the same as in pre-COVID days. You can call our travel advisors at any time for any kind of assistance before, during and after booking air bubble flights for your travel to and from India.
What are the important forms to be filled before boarding an air bubble flight to India?
You need to mandatorily submit the 'Air Suvidha Self Reporting Form' which is available online on the official website of New Delhi Airport, at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled travel. Travelers who are eligible to seek exemption from quarantine (i.e., those who are traveling in the exigency of death in the family) must also fill the 'Apply for Exemption' form 72 hours before boarding the direct flight to India.
What are the latest guidelines for international arrivals in India?
Apart from submitting a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal, all passengers (including children and infants) must upload their negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report of the test conducted within 72 hours before undertaking the journey. No one (except those traveling to India in the exigency of death in the family) will be allowed to enter India without a negative report. Once you reach your destination, you need to quarantine yourself at home and self-monitor your health for 14 days.
Are there any other additional destination-specific guidelines?
The Tamil Nadu government has mandated e-passes for all the travelers arriving in the state, whereas Mumbai requires passengers arriving from or transiting from Europe, UK, Middle East, South Africa, and Brazil to undergo institutional (hotel) quarantine for 7 days (at their own cost),take RT-PCR test on day 7, and then undergo 7-day home quarantine if tested negative. The detailed guidelines for passengers arriving at Mumbai airport are as follows:
Similarly, each State has its own set of guidelines for arriving passengers. Do not fail to keep tabs on the latest SOP of the city you are flying to, as the guidelines are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 situation in the respective state or city.
