This is a comparative guide on Qatar Airways Vs Emirates Economy Class for long-haul international travel. Both are full-service premium airlines with a huge network across USA and India. Both give a tough competition to each other in the US-India travel corridor, with minute differences between their economy class travel cabins, inflight facilities, and onboard hospitality.

Are Emirates’ Economy Seats Better than Qatar Airways?

Whether Emirates Airlines has better economy seats than Qatar Airways, it depends on their respective aircraft for flights to USA and India. Generally, Emirates flights between USA and India have more spacious economy seats on A380s than Boeing 777 or the newer A350s. The double-decker A380’s economy cabin offers seating in a 3-4-3 layout with 18-inch width and a pitch of up to 34 inches. On Emirates’ B777 (both 200LR and 300ER), economy seats come with 17-inch width and a pitch of up to 33 inches. A 350, the newest aircraft for Emirates flights to Ahmedabad and Mumbai, offers 18-inch seat width and 31-inch seat pitch in its economy travel cabin.

If you book Indian Eagle flight tickets for Qatar Airways economy, you would travel on one of the two aircraft types: A350-1000 or B777-300ER. Qatar Airways’ economy seats on both the aircraft have more or less the same dimensions as the above. The B777-300ER that Qatar Airways commonly deploys on some routes between USA and India offers slightly broader seats in Economy, measuring 17.7-18.2 inches of width and 33 inches of pitch.

However, the economy class flying experience with Emirates stands out for cushioned seats, adjustable headrests, wider armrests that make long-haul travel much less tiring. The recline is modest but supported with good lumbar design, especially on the A380. Comparatively, Qatar Airways seats in economy offer a good deal of comfort with adjustable headrests and standard recline on A350 and B777, though the armrest spacing is poor.

Qatar Airways Vs Emirates: In-Flight Dining in Economy

Emirates’ inflight dining, irrespective of economy fares, is among the best in aviation. The opportunity to savor authentic regional food at 40,000 feet is one of the reasons to fly with Emirates between USA and India. Even in economy class, Emirates treats passengers to the best of regional cuisines on flights to and from India. You get to indulge in Hyderabadi Biryani and Double ka Meetha on Emirates flights departing from Hyderabad RGI Airport. Sandesh and Rosogolla, among the popular sweets of Bengal, define your inflight dining experience on Emirates flights taking off at Kolkata International Airport.

Qatar Airways economy dining on flights between USA and India via Doha has been praised by many Indian travelers for its variety and quality. Meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner are freshly prepared and served with modern presentation. The airline also caters to diverse passenger needs by offering special meals such as allergy-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, religious, and medical or healthcare meals. You can view your Economy Class digital dining menu from 14 days before your US-India flight trip, allowing you to plan your onboard meal preferences in advance.

Emirates Vs Qatar Airways Economy: Inflight Entertainment

According to Emirates economy class flight reviews, Emirates Airlines’ ICE system wins over Qatar Airways’ Oryx One System for inflight entertainment in terms of content selection and volume. Besides, Emirates has received Skytrax Awards in the ‘Best Inflight Entertainment’ category for more than 12 years. A huge content lot of more than 6500 movies, TV shows, web series, sports videos, games, and music in multiple languages will keep your company on long-haul economy class flights. Equipped with 13.3-inch HD screens, Emirates’ ICE inflight entertainment system has unlimited Indian regional content to leave you spoilt for choice.

If reviews of Qatar Airways economy class travel from USA to India are to be believed, the Oryx One infight entertainment system is amazing too. Though the inflight content library is not as and diverse as Emirates’, Qatar Airways’ IFE system – Oryx One – has enough to keep you entertained during your long-haul economy class travel between USA and India. The IFE screen quality and content selection vary depending on aircraft types deployed for Qatar Airways flights. Emirates’ economy class travel cabins have bigger seatback screens than Qatar Airways’.

Both airlines provide decent noise-cancelling headphones in Economy and let you connect your mobile device to the inflight entertainment system. Connecting a mobile device to Qatar Airways’ Oryx One System is easier than connecting to Emirates’ ICE system. You can use your mobile device as a remote control for the IFE system and watch your own content by scanning the QR code in Qatar Airways’ Economy Class. You can sync your mobile phone or tablet to Emirates’ IFE system only through the Emirates app, except on brand new A380 aircraft.

Qatar Airways Vs Emirates: Economy Class Fare Deals

Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans, offers the best online and phone-only deals on flight tickets of both Emirates and Qatar Airways, among its partners. Usually, Emirates’ economy flight tickets cost a few tens of dollar more than Qatar Airways’ economy class fares. The Qatar Airways vs Emirates fare difference depends on a number of factors, like route, travel dates, advance booking, and loyalty program. Simply log on to IndianEagle.com to check economy class fare variations across airlines for any route between USA and India. You can book cost-to-cost flight tickets online or call +1800-615-3969 for exclusive phone-only deals.

The post Qatar Airways Vs Emirates Economy Class for US-India Travel: Know What’s Better for You first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Qatar Airways Vs Emirates Economy Class for US-India Travel: Know What’s Better for You appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

H1B visa is the most common pathway for skilled foreign professionals to work in the United States. The rule of thumb is that H1B visa workers from India and other countries can re-enter the US with a valid passport, a valid H1B visa stamp on the passport, Form I-797 Notice of H1B Status Approval, and other requisite documents. However, it seems that H1B visa holders’ re-entry into the US is not guaranteed in the volatile landscape of US immigration rules and restrictions.

In June 2025, an unprecedented event of boarding denial to three H1B visa workers sent shockwaves through the H1B visa community. They were flying back to USA via Abu Dhabi after a certain period of remote work/stay in India. They were stopped at the Abu Dhabi US Pre-clearance facility, questioned about their extended stay in India, and sent back home, according to several reports. While one of them spent 3 months in India, the other two stayed for nearly 3 months in India. The incident raised a spate of questions, like

• What are H1B visa travel rules?
• Are there official USCIS restrictions on H1B visa travel outside USA?
• How many days can H1B visa holders stay outside the US?

How Long can H1B Visa Holders Stay outside USA

There are no USCIS rules specifying a fixed number of days you on H1B Visa can stay or work outside the US. However, an extended period of stay abroad without actively working for your US employer can raise concerns at entry airports in USA or CBP preclearance facilities. Since your H1B visa status depends on your ongoing employment in the US, your long absence from the US is likely to make the CBP officers question whether you still have a valid position and the right to re-enter the US.

Many immigration attorneys recommend that H1B visa holders should keep international trips short, ideally within 30–40 days, unless they have strong proof of current employment status and payroll records. Under USCIS rules for traveling abroad on H1B visa, your stay beyond 60 days without clear proof of active work can make you a target for extra scrutiny during re-entry.

H1B Visa Travel Rules You Need To Follow

Traveling internationally on an H1B visa is allowed as long as you maintain valid status and have all necessary documents for safe return to USA. You should carry your valid H1B visa stamp, a valid passport, the original I-797 approval notice, remote work logs, and recent employment verification letters. According to H1B visa travel rules, you must be actively employed by your sponsoring company while abroad, and any extended time outside the US should be supported by clear payroll and work records.

H1B Visa Travel Restrictions and CBP Discretion

After the Abu Dhabi airport case, some social media users responded with claims that certain H1B visa travel restrictions are in place. But, in reality, there are neither hard and fast rules nor restrictions for H1B travel. Technically, you can stay outside the US for as long as you want. However, the longer you stay abroad, the greater the risk that CBP officers would question your employment status in America. If they believe your employment has ended or you have abandoned your job, they have the authority to cancel your visa on spot, even if it is valid on your passport.

USCIS Rules for Traveling Abroad on H1B Visa

USCIS allows travel abroad during your H1B validity period, but your visa status is tied to your job in the US. If you lose your job while overseas or are in a 60-day grace period, you may not be able to re-enter. Days spent outside the US can sometimes be “recaptured” to extend your H1B validity period, but this is a separate process that does not protect you from US re-entry scrutiny.

Can H1B Visa Holders Work Remotely outside the US?

Working remotely from abroad while on an H1B visa is not automatically prohibited, but it is risky if it becomes prolonged. Your visa is granted for employment in the US, tied to a specific work location in your petition. Extended remote work from another country may make CBP question if your role still exists in the US. If you must work remotely from India or elsewhere for more than a few months, keep strong evidence that your duties and payroll remain unchanged.

The post How Many Days can H1B Visa Holders Travel and Stay outside USA? Are there any USCIS Rules? first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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No CBP clearance, no TSA security screening, no checked baggage reclaim and recheck-in for inbound international travelers connecting to domestic flights within the US. This sounds as incredible as a daydream? The US CBP, TSA, and airlines have come together to make international to domestic connection as much simple as possible at major arrival/entry airports in America. All thanks to the One Stop Security program, among recent TSA initiatives like exemption of 11 liquid items from the 3-1-1 rule.

What is TSA’s One Stop Security for US-bound travelers?

TSA’s One Stop Security program (OSS) is a passenger-friendly initiative that streamlines the international to domestic connection procedure to a great extent. It lets US-bound international flyers with domestic connecting flights bypass CBP inspection, TSA checking, baggage reclaim and recheck-in at designated arrival airports. Precisely, it removes frictions from the process leading to the domestic connecting gates for eligible passengers after their arrival in the US.

Which airlines are implementing One Stop Security program?

Currently, American Airlines and Delta Airlines are the only US carriers implementing TSA’s One Stop Security program at their major hubs – Dallas DFW Airport and Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport – respectively. As of now, both airlines are offering OSS only to their passengers flying from London Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta.

Hailed as a breakthrough in aviation, the OSS is currently available for American Airlines’ flight AA51 passengers from London Heathrow to DFW and connecting onward within USA. It is effective at DFW Airport starting 17 July 2025. Delta Airlines will use this program, starting in August, for its passengers from LHR Airport to ATL Airport. Delta’s passengers can benefit from the OSS program only through Global Entry membership or Mobile Passport Control, a free CBP app for faster immigration clearance in the US.

Does United Airlines Offer One Stop Security program?

Unlike American Airlines and Delta, United Airlines offers this TSA service to outbound international travelers. Passengers of United flights from USA can fly to international destinations via Japan’s Narita International Airport without additional security screening during layover.

IndianEagle.com, the most trusted travel-booking partner for Indians and Americans, is trying to contact US airlines and check whether travelers from India flying to Dallas and Atlanta through London Heathrow and having further onward connection from their arrival airports can bypass additional security checks under the One Stop Security program.

What if Dallas or Atlanta is your final destination in the US?

TSA’s One Stop Security service is only for international arrivals with domestic connections in USA. If Dallas-Fort Worth or Atlanta is your final stop, you may not be able to skip additional security and checked baggage transfer formalities under TSA’s OSS program.

Benefits of One Stop Security in USA

Faster connection times: Since you no longer need to wait in line for customs, collect and recheck your bags, or go through TSA security again, your layover time at the US airport becomes significantly shorter.

No baggage claim or recheck: Under OSS, your checked baggage is automatically transferred to your final destination. So, you don’t need to pick it up at the first US airport, clear customs with it, and drop it off again.

No TSA screening at US arrival gate: Once you’ve cleared security at the departure airport (e.g., London Heathrow), you’re not required to go through another round of TSA screening when you land in the US.

Streamlined gate-to-gate experience: The OSS program is designed to mimic a domestic flight connection. It will feel like you’re simply changing planes within the same country, with far fewer formalities involved.

Reduced risk of missed connections: Because OSS removes several time-consuming checkpoints, your likelihood of missing your connecting flight drops dramatically. Even short layovers become more manageable.

Improved overall airport experience: By cutting out multiple lines and checkpoints, OSS allows passengers to relax, grab a bite, or shop between flights rather than rushing through procedures.

The post What is One Stop Security? This TSA Service Lets US-bound Flyers Skip Customs & Security first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post What is One Stop Security? This TSA Service Lets US-bound Flyers Skip Customs & Security appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

After the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash in June, netizens are googling – what is the best and safest aircraft in the fleet of Air India? The Tata airline placed multibillion-dollar orders for 570 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. Only six brand-new A350-900 planes have joined the fleet so far, while the first B787-9 from the Boeing order will be delivered soon. Since December 2024, Air India has been operating A350-900 flights without complaints. Our customers’ reviews on Air India’s A350 travel experience adjudge this aircraft as the best and safest in the fleet.

A350-900: Best and Safest Aircraft in Air India Fleet

Currently, A350-900 is not just the newest but also the best and safest aircraft in Air India fleet for long-haul flights, to say between USA and India. Few aircraft can rival Airbus A350, a most advanced, widebody jet which is even bigger than Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A350-1000 is longer than the latest Dreamliner variant, B787-10. At present, six A350-900s are operational for Air India flights from New Delhi to New York JFK, Newark EWR, and London Heathrow.

Not only Air India, but also its partners and rivals are cashing in on either or both variants – A350-900 and A350-1000. Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are leading operators of A350 flights. Among top 10 airlines that fly from USA to India, Emirates received its first A350-900 in January 2025, with more 64 A350-900 planes to be delivered. 47 A350-900 and 1000s will be delivered to Lufthansa Group Airlines by 2031. Air India’s domestic rival IndiGo is expecting delivery of 40 Airbus A350 planes starting mid-2027 for its international expansion plans.

What makes A350 the best aircraft in Air India fleet

• Lightweight Structure: Over 70% of its airframe is made from titanium, aluminum, and composite materials, making the aircraft lighter and stronger.
• Fuel Efficiency: Uses up to 25% less fuel than older wide-body aircraft, reducing emissions and operating costs.
• Sleek Aerodynamics: The 64.75 m wings with morphing technology improves lift and lowers drag during flight.
• Engine: Equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB, the most efficient large aero-engine today, delivering high reliability, modular maintenance, and fuel savings.
• Airspace Cabin: Features the quietest twin-aisle cabin in its class, wide seats, larger windows, straight sidewalls, high ceilings, and spacious overhead bins for enhanced comfort.
• Optimized Cabin Environment: Maintains a comfortable cabin altitude of 6,000 feet with air renewed every 2–3 minutes through HEPA filtering.
• Advanced Lighting: Full LED ambient lighting supports customized lighting scenarios (e.g., sunrise/sunset), which help reduce passenger fatigue and jet lag.
• Connectivity & Entertainment: A350 was the first aircraft delivered with in-flight connectivity, offering high-speed satellite Wi-Fi, plus high-definition IFE, with screens up to 13″ in economy—on entry into service.

Air India A350 Economy Class

The A350-900 has improved the way Indians from the US used to travel in Air India’s Economy cabins until December 2023. The aircraft ticks all the boxes for your elevated comfort on Air India’s economy class flights to Delhi from New York, Newark, and London. The A350-900 economy cabins feature 264 cushioned seats in a 3-3-3- configuration, each offering 31-inch pitch, 17.5-inch width, 6-inch recline, and adjustable headrests for added support during long journeys.

Air India’s A350 economy class has seats equipped with a 12-inch HD touchscreen featuring the Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, loaded with over 2,200 hours of content. The airline provides screen-free audio content for kids on A350 flights. It has increased the comfort quotient for economy class passengers seeking Indian Eagle flight deals.

Air India A350 Premium Economy

Air India’s Premium Economy cabins on A350-900 planes offer a value-for-money experience. If sophistication of flying, comfort at 40,000 feet, and budget flight deals are your priority, the A350 Premium Economy is the best bet for your intercontinental travel. It has 24 super cozy seats with 38-inch pitch, 18.5-inch width, 8-inch recline, and four-way adjustable headrests for customized comfort. Arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, the seats have comfortable leg rest with a foot paddle.

The above is why Air India’s A350 Premium Economy is a preferred choice for elderly parents’ travel from India to USA for much less than business class tickets. The seats come with a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen, USB-A charging, universal power outlets, and personal reading lights. Priority check-in and early boarding are among the perks, in addition to TUMI amenity kits and upgraded dining on premium tableware.

Air India A350 Business Class: Luxurious Private Suites

What makes A350-900 is the best aircraft in Air India fleet is the new-age business class with luxurious suites, full-flat beds, sliding doors, personal wardrobes, and under-seat storage. Flying in Air India’s Business class on A350-900 gives a glimpse into the airline’s ongoing transformation. It has 28 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration offering direct aisle access to all passengers. Each suite has a convertible 79-inch full-flat bed built on the Collins Aerospace Horizon platform.

The perks of booking business class flights on Air India’s A350-900 include gourmet meals served on bespoke Ferragamo-designed tableware, a 21-inch HD Panasonic eX3 screen with noise-cancelling headphones, and an in-cabin humidifier. Everything from a vanity mirror to universal power outlets, tail-camera views, and top-notch Ferragamo amenity kits are meticulous additions to your luxury and comfort above the clouds.

The post What is Best and Safest Aircraft in Air India Fleet for USA to India Flights? first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post What is Best and Safest Aircraft in Air India Fleet for USA to India Flights? appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Your flight ticket PNR number is what you need most of the time after booking your travel with an airline. PNR or Passenger Name Record is a unique code of 6 digits (letters and numbers) that helps the airline identify you as a passenger. It is generated and issued by the airline once your flight is booked and confirmed. To be precise, PNR is the confirmation of your airline reservation. Every individual passenger receives a unique PNR code, except a group of travelers in the same booking. Like a microchip, an airline PNR number stores a traveler’s name, gender, travel dates, departure airport, destination, flight number, contact details, seat and/or meal preference, etc.

Where to Find Your Flight PNR Number after Booking Travel? 

The PNR number for your international flight tickets is common to all communications post booking, like e-tickets, travel confirmation email, and subsequent notifications issued by the airline or your travel agency, like Indian Eagle. Often labelled as ‘Booking Reference’ or ‘Reservation Code’, you can see the PNR number next to the airline name among trip details on the e-ticket.  The boarding pass lists the 6-digit PNR code near the top.

Locating the PNR number on flight tickets is not a big deal. Do make sure not to confuse it with the flight number – one of the common mistakes that first-time flyers make. Airline reservation PNR number and flight number are different things.

What Does a PNR Number Do?

A flight PNR is not just a code of alphanumeric digits; it plays a big role in your air travel. Knowing the PNR number for your one-way flight boking or round trip helps with web check-in, flight status checking, travel rescheduling, seat selection, ticket cancelation, refund claims, and baggage loss/damage reporting. For your travel agent and the airline, it is the key to access your itinerary details so you are provided with the right service as and when needed. Precisely, PNR or booking reference is a vital link between the traveler and the airline.

It not only connects you to the airline but also with your near and dear ones who pray for your safe travel. You should share your flight PNR number with someone (trustworthy) in your family so that they can contact the airline and check your whereabouts in case you are not reachable over the phone during an international layover at London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Zurich, Singapore Changi Airport, or in the Middle East.

On 23 June, some India-bound travelers from the US got stuck at Doha Airport due to the sudden closure of Qatar’s airspace amid the Middle East conflict. Those having the PNR number of their family, parents, siblings, or friends traveling through Doha were able to contact the airline and check the status. Hence, it is recommended you share the airline PNR number with a close family member or friend before your board the flight.

Is PNR the Same as a Booking Reference?

Yes! In most cases, PNR and booking reference mean the same thing. Different airlines may use different terms, such as reservation number or confirmation code, but they all refer to the same thing: the unique 6-character code linked to your flight booking. So if you come across any of these terms, just know they all point to your PNR.

International Flight PNR Number Sharing Risks 

Since a flight reservation PNR number provides access to its owner or the traveler’s personal information and itinerary details, it should be treated like a password. Anyone can exploit your last name and PNR code to gain unauthorized access to itinerary. Misuse of your personal info, identity theft, cyber fraud, fraudulent booking, frequent flyer mile theft, and unsolicited trip cancelation (a prank) are among the potential risks of sharing your PNR with anyone, except the airline and your trusted air-ticketing partner.

“This is why we advise our customers to refrain from sharing their PNR numbers publicly and avoid posting pics of boarding passes on social media during or after travel. Particularly, H1B and H4 visa holders should keep their boarding passes safe for an extension of their visa validity under the visa recapture rule,” said the chief customer relations officer of Indian Eagle Travel.

The post Why is It More Important to Know and Save Your Flight PNR Number These Days? A Complete Guide first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Why is It More Important to Know and Save Your Flight PNR Number These Days? A Complete Guide appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

India’s Vision 2040 for civil aviation is full of positive facts and practical figures. The phenomenal increase in the total number of India’s inbound and outbound air travelers from 184 million in 2017-18 to 97 million in the first quarter of 2024 is the foundation of India’s aviation vision 2040 for 1.1 billion passengers. The Civil Aviation Ministry’s report states that there will be approximately 200 functional airports in India by 2040, including 50 new airports set to be built in the next 5 years. Delhi and Mumbai will have three international airports each, while other 31 Indian cities will have two operational airports each.

Travel Beats, an overseas Indian community portal by Indian Eagle Travel, curated details of India’s upcoming international airports, which are expected to cost around $40-50 billion (excluding land acquisition costs), as per India’s Vision 2040 report. Most of the new and upcoming airports in India will have international connectivity for flights to and from the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific countries.

Dholera International Airport, Gujarat

Gujarat’s third international airport is under construction in the ancient Harappan city of Dholavira. To be constructed in multiple phases with a 2025-26 deadline for its first phase completion, this greenfield airport will initially be able to handle 3.5 million passengers a year and its capacity will be gradually expanded to a whopping 50 million annual passengers in future phases. As a second gateway to Ahmedabad, Dholera International Airport will share the increasing passenger load on Ahmedabad International Airport. Moreover, the airport being developed as a part of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) will also serve the industrial region as a major cargo hub.

Location: Navagam village, Dholera, around 100 km from Ahmedabad

Visakhapatnam International Airport, Andhra Pradesh

The upcoming greenfield airport in Bhogapuram will be Andhra Pradesh’s first international airport near Visakhapatnam. Bhogapuram Airport is being developed in three phases by the prestigious GMR Group, the Delhi IGI Airport operator, Hyderabad RGI Airport, and Goa’s Mopa Airport. Also known as GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport, it had its foundation stone laid in May 2023. The first phase is scheduled for completion in the next three years at an estimated cost of INR 4,592 crore. The airport, to be developed across 2,200-acre, will handle 6 million annual passengers in its first phase, and this capacity will be increased to 18 million passengers based on for international flights to Vizag, India.

Location: Bhogapuram, approximately 45km from Visakhapatnam

Sabarimala International Airport, Kerala

Good news for Sabarimala pilgrims from across the world! The proposed Sabarimala International Airport project on 2570 acres of land at Cheruvally Estate near Erumely in Kottayam district has made significant progress. It has gained momentum with the Union Environment Ministry Panel’s approval and the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s approval in 2023. In February 2024, the Central government gave site and defense clearance for the airport construction. If things fall in place as per Kerala government’s plan, Sabarimala International Airport will be the nearest airport to Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy Temple. Currently, Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Sabarimala at a distance of 155 km.

Location: Erumeli, approximately 40 km from Kottayam

Navi Mumbai International Airport

The costliest and biggest of all the upcoming international airports in India is Navi Mumbai Airport, which will become operational once the first phase of construction is completed as planned by December 2024. The airport – officially named D. B. Patil International Airport – will handle 10 million passengers a year initially and more than 90 million annual passenger traffic upon completion of its all four phases by 2032. Reportedly, the NMI airport will handle 80 flights an hour and some 1900 flights in 24 hours. 

The Navi Mumbai International Airport project cost is estimated at Rs.16, 700 crore, as per the report on India’s Aviation Vision 2040. Read more about the second Mumbai international airport designed like a lotus, India’s national flower, and its topnotch facilities.

Ludhiana’s Halwara Airport, Punjab

Ludhiana, Punjab’s largest city and industrial hub, is the location of one of the upcoming international airports in India. Halwara Airport, officially named Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport, is being developed by the Punjab government and the Airports Authority of India in collaboration. Ludhiana’s Halwara Airport will be able to accommodate and handle Code 4C-type aircraft such as Boeing 737-700 and Airbus A-320.

Halwara International Airport is still under construction, though the civil terminal is complete. While clearance from the Air Force and other regulatory authorities is still pending, commercial operations are anticipated to begin in 2026. The handover of the new Ludhiana airport, Halwara to the Airports Authority of India is underway. Qatar Airways is the only major international carrier operating flights to Amritsar from USA and other countries.

Location: Halwara, nearly 40 km from Ludhiana

Second International Airport, Chennai

Like Delhi and Mumbai, Chennai is paving the way for a second international airport in line with India’s Vision 2040 for aviation. Intended to decongest Chennai International Airport (MAA), the second facility is proposed to be built across 5000 acres of land spanning 13 villages in Parandur, situated nearly 15 km from Kanchipuram. This 20,000 crore project is planned with 100 million passenger handling capacity and the tentative deadline for completion of the airport’s construction is 2028. Reportedly, Chennai’s Parandur Airport will feature two long runways that can hold huge 600-seat aircraft. An extension of Chennai Metro will connect Parandur airport with the city, and a road link with the Bangalore–Chennai Expressway is under consideration. 

Location: Parandur, nearly 70km from Chennai

Kalyani Airport, Kolkata

Among the major new airports in India, a new airport is coming up 53 km away from Kolkata and some 82 km from India’s biggest ISCKON temple to ease the burden on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport – the biggest hub for air travel in east India and also one of the 10 busiest airports in the country. Kalyani Airport will be developed across 1500 acres of land and the airport will have a capacity to handle around 8.5 million passengers annually. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) set a 2030 deadline for Kolkata’s second airport to become operational.

Jewar International Airport, Noida

A wing of India’s Vision 2040 for aviation is Noida International Airport at Jewar, which will be catering to the catchment areas of Delhi NCR. Expected to ease the air traffic load on Indira Gandhi International Airport, the new facility will increase passenger-handling capacity up to 70 million per year over the next 30 years. INR 10,000 crore is the estimated cost of constructing the airport’s first phase, which is likely to open for commercial flight operations by the end of 2024. In the first phase, Noida International Airport will handle 12 million passengers. Much like Delhi IGI Airport, Noida International Airport will have international connectivity for USA to India flights, and flights from the UK, Singapore, Australia, as well as the Middle East.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, Pune

Pune’s second international airport at Purandar will be named after Maratha King Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje. To be built on 2400 hectares of land, the proposed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Airport may replace Lohegaon Air Force Station, the current international airport in Pune, which cannot accommodate more than 4 to 6 international flights to and from Pune due to restrictions on the air force base. Though approved in 2016, Pune’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Airport project didn’t take shape due to land acquisition and other issues. Its fate now rests on the upcoming general elections in India in 2024.

Location: Purandar, nearly 40 to 45 km from Pune

Warangal Airport, Telangana

Warangal’s Mamnoor Airport, once the largest airport in India before independence, is finally set for revival after 40+ years. Built by the British and the last Nizam of Hyderabad, it was a major aviation hub in South Asia. The Government of India has approved the revival and expansion plans, bypassing the 2004 exclusivity clause that restricted the construction of new airports near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad.

With ₹205 crores allocated, the airport will be upgraded to handle aircraft like Boeing 737, making it future-ready for international operations. This marks a major milestone for Telangana’s aviation sector, positioning Warangal as a key regional hub under the UDAN scheme. As Telangana’s second operational airport, it is planned to be reopened by 2030.

Location: Located around 150 km from Hyderabad City

Hisar International Airport, Haryana  

Among the new major airports in India, Hisar Airport is all set to be transformed into an international airport over 10,000 acres of land. By 2030, Hisar Airport, which is officially named Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Haryana, will be incorporated into Delhi NCR. With an investment of around ₹5,200 crore in three phases, the expansion of Hisar Airport promises to bring a lot of opportunities and growth to the region. Haryana’s Maharaja Agrasen Airport will also serve as an alternative to the country’s busiest Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi, offering more convenience for travelers in the NCR.

Location: Nearly 165km from New Delhi IGI airport.

International Greenfield Airport near Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Among the upcoming international airports in India is the one to be developed near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, where the 108-ft Statue of Oneness dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya is a must visit. 10,000 acres of land has been earmarked for the greenfield airport that aims to be as big as New Delhi International Airport. A pre-construction feasibility study by the Airports Authority of India supports the development of an international airport near Ujjain over the likelihood of expanding the existing Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore.

Kota Airport, Rajasthan 

Kota Airport, which the royal family of Kota – an erstwhile princely state in Rajasthan – had developed during the British Raj, has remained shut since 1997. The state government’s plans to develop it newly as a greenfield airport are in the works. To be developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on 1250 acres of land, the upcoming Kota Greenfield Airport will facilitate the growth of Kota City as the coaching capital of India and a trade hub. An official date is yet to be announced for the completion of Kota Airport.

Minicoy Airport in Lakshadweep

India is planning to develop a new airport on Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, aiming to promote its potential as a leisure tourist destination. This new airport will accommodate both military and civilian aircraft, expanding the region’s connectivity and strengthening surveillance over the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Currently, Lakshadweep has an airstrip on Agatti Island, which limits the types of aircraft that can operate there. This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism in Lakshadweep. However, there is yet no tentative date for completion of the project.

This article is brought to you by Indian Eagle, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians and Americans for destinations in India and beyond. Subscribe to our free newsletter and follow us on Instagram for more such updates on international air travel. IndianEagle.com has a proven track record in providing budget flight deals, both online and offline, from the best international airlines. You can also grab exclusive phone-only insider deals by calling us at +1800-615-3969.

The post Indian Aviation Vision 2040 for 1bn Flyers: What are Major New Airports Coming up in India in 2025 and 2026 first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Indian Aviation Vision 2040 for 1bn Flyers: What are Major New Airports Coming up in India in 2025 and 2026 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Different airlines have different onboard seating policies. An airline’s inflight seating policy for family travelers flying together varies depending on aircraft, fare types, itinerary and codeshare partnership with other airlines. Not many airlines are liberal about seating a family group of more than two travelers next to each other for free on international economy flights to India or any other destination. Inarguably, some airlines have commodified extra legroom seats in particular, to earn an ancillary revenue.

“Airlines can’t just treat children like a piece of luggage”

However, United Airlines’ new family seating policy promises to make it easier for economy travelers with kids under 12 years to be seated together aboard flights for free. The policy is compliant with former President Biden’s call for airlines to seat children under 13 with their parents or accompanying adult travelers for at no extra cost. In his State of the Union Address early in February, the President was critical of airlines for upselling adjoining seats to family travelers. He further said, “They can’t just treat your child like a piece of luggage.”

The new policy is nothing but an upgrade to United Airlines’ seat map technology to help family travelers sit together on flights especially when there is limited availability of free Economy seats. The new policy is liberal in offering more options to a family with children under 12. If the upgraded technology finds adjoining Economy seats unavailable, it will unlock upgrades for complimentary reservation of Preferred seats on United flights. Preferred Seating comprises United Economy seats with standard legroom in the rows behind Economy Plus seats with 6 inches of additional legroom.

What if the flight you have booked for a trip is full      

There’s more to United Airlines’ revised seating policy for family travelers with kids. If the flight that you have booked for your spouse and kid is full by the time you contact the airline or the travel agency to reserve two adjacent seats for them, they can switch to another flight with free adjoining seats available given that the route is the same. Surprisingly, you don’t have to pay a change fee or fare difference.

The same policy applies if you happen to book United Airlines’ last-minute flight tickets from USA to India or any other destination. Certainly, it is nearly impossible to find seats next to each other in case of a last-minute booking. United Airlines’ liberal policy to let you opt for an alternate flight will help also in the event of a last-minute aircraft change reshuffling seats aboard a flight.

This is surely one of the great perks of traveling with children under 12 on United flights. This is just the beginning of a much-needed change that a group of Democratic senators is looking to bring in by having introduced the Families Fly Together Act. A spate of complaints from middle-class America families being charged to pay for sitting together with their children on flights has forced the Biden administration to introduce the Families Fly Together Act to “prohibit airlines from imposing any monetary charges on families that want to sit together during a flight”.

However, the seating policy update does not apply to United Airlines’ business class flights (Polaris) and Economy Plus. The airline has plans to introduce more family-friendly features this year, according to Linda JoJo, the Chief Customer Officer. Espoused by the National Consumers League, United Airlines’ family seating policy may inspire other airlines to be progressive and liberal in seating family travelers together for free.

The post What is United Airlines’ Family Seating Policy for Travelers with Kids in Compliance to “Families Fly Together Act”? first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post What is United Airlines’ Family Seating Policy for Travelers with Kids in Compliance to “Families Fly Together Act”? appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Tired of squeezing liquids into tiny 3.4-ounce (100ml) bottles for flights within and out of the US? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has an update for you. In a welcome move this summer holiday travel, TSA has exempted 11 liquid items from its 3-1-1 size rule. You can now pack those TSA-approved 11 items more than 100ml each in your carry-on bags and get past TSA security select airports in the US without breaking any protocol.

For nearly two decades, passengers flying across the world have been subject to the strict 3-1-1 liquids rule introduced in 2006. Whether on domestic routes or international flights from USA to India, travelers are allowed to carry liquids in 100 ml containers and pack in a quart-sized clear plastic bag. If you ever wonder why this rule exists, it’s because it was designed to prevent fatal events like terrorist attacks using liquid explosives.

While the 3-1-1 liquids rule still exists, only 11 items have been exempted from the TSA security rules 2025. All thanks to the new CT scanner technology being implemented at TSA checkpoints across the US. Currently, the powerful Computed Tomography (CT) scanners are available at Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK), and Los Angeles (LAX) airports. These advanced 3D scanners give TSA officers a full digital view of what’s in your cabin bags, allowing them to inspect items more quickly and accurately.

The current list of TSA-approved 11 liquid items you can carry in any size through New York JFK, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, and Los Angeles International airports:

1. Prescription medications (liquid, gel, aerosol)
2. Over‑the‑counter medications and contact lens solutions
3. Breast milk and infant formula
4. Baby/toddler food & drinks
5. Liquid-filled teethers
6. Ice packs, gel packs, freezer packs for medical products
7. Fresh eggs (neatly separated for inspection)
8. Live fish or coral in water (in a transparent container)
9. Biological specimens in preservative solution
10. Non-spillable wet batteries
11. Duty‑free liquids in sealed, tamper-evident bags

Do I need to declare any of the 11 full-size liquid items to TSA officers?

It is recommended that you declare to TSA officers if you carry any of the approved 11 liquid items more than 100ml. it is because the approved full-size liquid items in your carry-on bag may be screened in some situations.

Does TSA’s 3-1-1 limit still apply to packing personal care liquid items in carry-on bags?

Yes, the old 3-1-1 liquid rule sill applies to most personal care items like shampoo, cream, sunscreen, perfume, hair gel, etc. You can pack full-size bottles of these items only in your check-in bags. However, the list of TSA-approved full-size liquid items is anticipated to grow with time.

The post What are TSA-approved 11 Full-Size Liquid Items that I can Pack in a Cabin Bag and Pass through TSA Security? first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post What are TSA-approved 11 Full-Size Liquid Items that I can Pack in a Cabin Bag and Pass through TSA Security? appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Premium Economy offers a better experience than economy travel and costs lesser than business class flight tickets. Precisely, this travel class that gained a larger market share during the pandemic offers an ideal blend of both, comfort and affordability. Elevated comfort, wider seats, greater recline, ample legroom, adjustable seating position, generous baggage allowance, better inflight dining, and of course, priority service are the perks of flying premium economy airlines to India and back to USA.

With Air India and Emirates having entered this segment and heightening the competition, Premium Economy is the future of travel between USA and India. Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians in America, is here to guide you through top airlines offering the best premium economy class seats between USA and India.

Emirates’ Premium Economy Class 

Emirates, one of the best airlines for USA to India travel, is the only Middle East carrier with premium economy offering. Emirates Airlines’ Premium Economy on double-decker A380 flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru, New York, San Francisco, Houston, and Los Angeles has won Skytrax World Airline Awards for the best-in-class seats, amenities and services. Our comparative guide on Premium Economy: Emirates vs Air India will enlighten you more.

Emirates’ Premium Economy cabins have 19.5-inch wide seats with 40 inches of legroom and 8 inches of recline – which is the best in this category. The golden beige hued interior oozes sophistication. You can rest your back against a fluffy pillow and adjust the headrest in six different ways to elevate your comfort level for some good sleep during a long-haul flight.

Premium Economy travel with Emirates flight tickets is worth an upgrade from standard economy also for superior inflight entertainment on 13.5-inch HD screens, and certain privileges like priority check-in and expedited boarding.

Japan Airlines Premium Economy

“JAL SKY Premium Economy seats are second to none in functionality and privacy. Among the airlines with best premium economy travel cabins, Japan Airlines takes the lead by offering 42-inch legroom and 16-inch personal screens – the best in class. The best of JAL SKY Premium is available on the airline’s brand-new A350-1000 that is deployed for flights to Dallas and New York,” said the chief ticketing officer of Indian Eagle Travel.

Japan Airlines’ A350-1000 aircraft has Premium Economy seats with significant upgrades from that on other aircraft in the fleet. You get to relax on electric seats with effortless recline and motorized leg rests that rise up to 90 degrees. Your privacy is taken better care of with larger dividers between seats as in the business class. The same fold-out divider between seats is available in the JAL Premium Economy cabin on B787-9 that the airline uses to operate flights to New Delhi.

The perks of booking Japan Airlines Premium Economy tickets to India or USA include access to JAL lounges at Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka Kansai airports in Japan. ENCALM Prive Lounge at Indira Gandhi Airport, and 080 Lounge at Kempegowda BLR Airport are also accessible to premium economy passengers of JAL flights to/from Bengaluru and New Delhi. Special check-in counter access and priority baggage service are cherries on the cake for those flying premium economy with JAL.

Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy Class

Singapore Airlines is the one that can compete with Emirates Premium Economy on long-haul routes. It has all the makings of best premium economy class seats to India and USA, such as ample room to stretch out, adjustable personal reading light, in-seat USB ports, noise-cancelling headphones, etc. The seats with soft leather upholstery are cozy enough to make you feel at home in the sky. Singapore Airlines’ premium economy seats come with a dedicated stowage area where you can store your laptop, headphones, water bottle and other personal items.

The USP of Singapore Airlines Premium Economy cabins is restaurant-like inflight dining service at the cruising altitude. Starting from April 2024, the airline has been serving meals from its enhanced menu designed by award-winning chefs from different countries, including India. You can pre-order a main course of your choice from Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook menu, at least 24 hours prior to your flight (with minimum 15 hours of travel time). The airlines pampers the tastebuds of premium economy travelers to/from India with chicken biryani, garlic roasted prawns, apple crumble cheesecake and likes from its new menu of over 200 dishes.

Hours of absolute entertainment over a vast content library consisting of 1800 movies, TV programs, music, and games on 13.3-inch HD touchscreen monitors complement the experience of flying Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines flights to India and USA.

Lufthansa’s Premium Economy Class 

More room, more comfort, more attention, and more free baggage define Lufthansa Airlines’ Premium Economy cabins. Each seat has a cocktail table at the armrest, adjustable footrest, and 11-12 inch inflight entertainment screen. In Lufthansa Premium Economy, the seats offer 8 inches of recline, 38 inches of pitch, and width of 18-19 inches for optimum comfort. The seat lets you recline without encroaching the space of the passenger behind you. The headrest, leg rest and armrest can be adjusted as per your convenience.

Lufthansa’s new Allegris travel cabins with pod-like Premium Economy seats have set a benchmark for other premium economy airlines. The Allegris Premium Economy cabins being rolled out on Airbus A350s and B787 Dreamliners have 15.6-in 4K entertainment monitors with discreet screen. You can relax in a comfy position and tune in to nonstop streaming of content or read/work under a personal reading light during long-haul travel on Lufthansa flights.

“Bengaluru and San Francisco are the first to see the brand-new Allegris cabins with premium economy seats, among the destinations of Lufthansa flights to India and USA this year. You can check-in two bags for free when traveling Lufthansa Premium Economy; a great advantage over Lufthansa’s economy flights with one piece of checked baggage,” said the chief customer experience officer of IndianEagle.com.

Air India’s Premium Economy on Nonstop Flights 

In a very short time following its launch in June 2023 for nonstop US-India flights, Air India’s Premium Economy has earned rave reviews. All thanks to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson’s vision and Tata Group’s takeover of the airline! Everyone from regular travelers to celebs like Chef Vikas Khanna praised Air India’s service on Boeing 777-200LRs (leased from Delta Airlines) which have 48 leather-upholstered Premium Economy seats with big IFE screens, better seat pitch and greater seat recline.

The blue-hued premium economy cabins are available on Air India flights from New York to Mumbai, and San Francisco to Bengaluru, as well as Mumbai.

With its brand new A350-900s taking to the skies, Air India is all set to up its Premium Economy game by late 2024. This long-range, widebody aircraft has 24 Premium Economy seats other than 28 full-flat luxury beds in Business Class. Read our in-depth coverage for more details of Air India’s A350s and take a walk through the aircraft in our short video. Once it hits long-haul international routes, it will be among the best premium economy airline cabins for travel between USA and India.

Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy 

Of the best premium economy airlines, Cathay Pacific stands out for offering such perks as dedicated check-in lines and priority boarding, other than super comfy seats with 40 inches of legroom on board. The airline has started rolling out newly designed premium economy seats with 20 inches of width – the best in the industry – on its fleet of B777-300ERs. The leather-padded seats come with full-length leg rests, USB ports, spacious tray tables, and 15-inch wide monitor screens with Bluetooth audio pairing.

The larger tray table makes dining and working a lot more comfortable in Premium Economy on Cathay Pacific flights to India, USA and other destinations. In 2023, Skytrax Awards (the Oscars in aviation) ranked Cathay Pacific as one of the top 10 airlines with best premium economy class seats.

The post Which Airlines have Best Premium Economy Cabins for Travel from USA to India in 2025? A Useful Guide first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Which Airlines have Best Premium Economy Cabins for Travel from USA to India in 2025? A Useful Guide appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

‘Should I book a round trip or two one-way flight tickets?’ This is a common query from many travelers at Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing company in America. Round trip booking vs two one-way flights – is a dilemma that they go through while planning their holiday trip to India or some other international destination. There is no denying that booking a round-trip flight itinerary is easier and cheaper than two one-way air tickets. However, schedule, flexibility, easy cancelation, and refund are also factored in other than fares.

Two-way Flights Booking: Pros and Cons

Booking two one-way flight tickets, one for onward journey from USA to India and the other for return journey to USA, has certain advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore! If you choose to book two one-way international flight tickets, instead of a round trip, you can book your international travel with two different airlines. Flying with different airlines, to say Lufthansa from USA to India, and Emirates from India to USA, would give you a varied taste of their in-flight hospitality and dining, thereby enriching your travel experience.

Booking your travel with two different airlines will give you the opportunity to explore their transit hub cities during long layovers. To be precise, you can explore Dubai or Abu Dhabi during a significant layover at the hub airport of Emirates or Etihad Airways, en route to India form USA. On return, you can choose to travel with Qatar Airways or Turkish Airlines and turn your Doha or Istanbul airport layover into a mini vacation for less.

In case of two one-way flight bookings, your arrival airport and departure airport can be different in India and/or USA. You can choose to arrive at New Delhi IGI Airport and depart from Mumbai International Airport. Precisely, flexibility is the key here. Booking your onward journey and return flight separately is recommended provided your return travel date is uncertain. It gives you freedom of space and time to plan your return journey later.

If there are cashback deals or discount offers on US-India international flight tickets, chances are you can grab it twice – for two separate one-way reservations. Thus, you may save more on Indian Eagle airline tickets for a budget trip to India this holiday season.

The benefits of booking your onward and return flights separately include a significant advantage in the event of emergency flight cancelation. If an unprecedented emergency forces you or the airline to cancel the onward flight, it won’t impact your return flight. In that case, only the onward journey would require rebooking or rescheduling with the airline, without any need to reschedule or rebook the return flight ticket unlike in case of a round trip itinerary booking.

Round-trip Flight Booking: Pros and Cons

Usually, a round-trip booking costs lesser than two one-way travel bookings. Booking a round-trip itinerary for your onward flight to India and the flight back to the US together has both advantages and disadvantages. This is ideal for travelers with fixed schedules and definite holiday plans. It secures both journeys, onward and return, in a single reservation, that too often at a lower airfare. Undeniably, it saves time and ensures convenience, without worrying you about a fare increase when your time to fly back to the US nears.

Your whole trip, from SFO to Delhi and back to SFO, is likely to take a hit if some emergency arises, like a natural calamity, airport union strike, third-country airspace closure, or geo-political tensions. The airline may cancel or reschedule your round-trip booking leaving your travel plans in disarray. In the event of unexpected cancellation, you will have to rebook your international travel by paying the revised airfare (mostly, on the higher side).

If some unavoidable event at your end requires you to reschedule your onward travel or return flight in the round-trip booking, most airlines don’t allow a change of date for only one segment. If you wish to extend your stay in India beyond the scheduled return travel date, a partially-used round-trip booking is most unlikely to be cancelled and refunded. Most airlines do not offer a refund against cancellation of partially used tickets. Even if partial cancellation is allowed, the refund amount is minimal – just a negligible fraction of the total airfare.

Whether you are looking for round-trip itineraries or one-way flight deals, Indian Eagle budget travel offers keep you immune to rising airfares. Be it a round trip or two one-way trips, Indian Eagle flight deals from the best airlines aim to make you travel affordably and with peace of mind.

The post Round-trip Booking Vs Two One-way Flight Bookings: What is Cheaper, Better, More Flexible? first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Round-trip Booking Vs Two One-way Flight Bookings: What is Cheaper, Better, More Flexible? appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.