Gone are the days when fairness creams used to define Indian women’s potential in the marriage market and the world outside home. While Indian society is progressively rising over its personality disorder caused by deep-rooted obsession with fairness, Indian-origin women have stepped over it to reach new highs in America where actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas was bullied for her brown complexion in her school days.

From UmaSofia Srivastava, the Miss Teen USA 2023 to Chef Aarthi Sampath who made it big in Food Network to Divya Suryadevara, CEO of financial services at UnitedHealth Group to Chef Priyanka Naik who was invited to attend the White House’s Diwali celebration in 2024; they continue to achieve milestones in diverse fields that either test their beauty or brains. Joining the growing cohort of Indian-origin trailblazers is the new CEO of Etsy Inc – Kruti Patel Goyal.

Etsy, a global online marketplace for handmade goods, is offering the top position in its C-suite to Indian American Kruti Patel Goyal for the next chapter of growth and innovation. Come January 2026, she will not only take up the baton from the outgoing CEO but also enter the elite club of Indian-American CEOs. Just a month ago, another India-born business leader, Srini Gopalan occupied the corner office at T-Mobile as CEO.

Who is Kruti Patel Goyal, the next CEO of Etsy Inc?

Armed with prestigious American degrees (from Harvard and Stanford)  and years of experience in various leadership roles, Etsy Inc’s new CEO Kruti is a tech-savvy leader from the Gujarati and Marwari communities known for their sharp business acumen. In her career spanning 15 years at Etsy headquarters in New York, she rose through ranks, like Director of Marketplace Integrity, VP Business Development, SVP Product, Chief Product Officer, and President and Chief Growth Officer.

Growing up in north India where textile embroidery is a household art passing through generations, Kruti Patel Goyal shares an umbilical bond with Indian handcraft traditions. Her love for handcrafts across geographies, her upbringing in business communities, her American education, and her innate leadership traits came together to gel her way to the hot seat in the C-suite – of course, through challenges.

However, the ‘CEO’ hat that Kruti is going to don at Etsy – America’s largest online marketplace for independent artisans, creators, and art curators – is not the first to her. For 3 years, she worked as CEO of Depop, a resale fashion marketplace that Etsy acquired for $1.6 billion in 2022. With her strategic thinking, business-critical decisions, and keen understanding of Gen Z consumers, Kruti not just revived Depop; she catapulted it to TIME’s list of 100 most influential companies in 2024.

Why Etsy is Betting on Kruti Patel Goyal as CEO

Depop’s multiplied popularity and Etsy’s slow-paced growth amid current challenges is the driving force behind Kruti’s appointment as CEO of Etsy Inc. Interestingly, her tenure as CEO of Depop was fruitful with a 40% increase in the number of active sellers and active buyers. Her collective experience in product innovation, market expansion, operational strategy, changing consumer behavior, marketplace integrity, and engineering could be a lever for Etsy Inc to accelerate its growth in emerging markets across the globe.

Kruti Patel Goyal’s appointment as Etsy Inc’s CEO in 2026 reinforces the latest study by the Manhattan Institute that says – highly educated, skilled Indian immigrants benefit the US economy with their fiscal contributions that help reduce the national debt over the long term. They do also support the US-India travel ecosystem. Though the Indian immigrant community makes up merely 1.5% of the US population, its direct contribution – $250-300 – to the US economy is an estimated 5-6% of the income tax.

The post Who’s Kruti Patel Goyal, New CEO of Etsy Inc? Not Just Another Indian American to Lead a Global Firm first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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With back-to-back regulations for aliens, the Trump administration is leaving no stone unturned to clog loopholes in the US immigration system. After introducing a hefty Visa Integrity fee and intensifying the CBP inspection of non-US citizens at entry airports, the US government is up with new entry-exit rules for all visa holders and Green Cardholders. The new US entry-exit rules make photo and biometric data mandatory for all non-US citizens.

What is the new US entry and exit rule?  

Published in the Federal Register on 27 October 2025, the new US entry-exit system requires CBP officers to take photos and collect biometric details of all foreigners for mandatory facial recognition at all airports, seaports, and land crossings. The data to be collected upon arrival in the US will be matched against the data to be collected during departure. Any discrepancies in the biometric data comparison may get an immigrant or non-immigrant detained or deported. It may render them inadmissible to USA in the worst scenario.

New US entry-exit rule exemptions 

The Department of Homeland Security clearly states that the new biometric entry-exit system does not exempt even children under 14 and the elderly over 79 from photograph capture. Precisely, the regulation will be enforced on all non-US citizens, regardless of age, language, and nationality. Since it won’t apply to US nationals and citizens, the US-born children of aliens are likely to be exempted.

Are Green Cardholders exempt to the new US border rule?

Green Cardholders are not exempt to the mandatory biometric entry-exit system at any US ports of entry, as they are only lawful permanent residents, not US citizens. Their US-born kids may be among potential exemptions.

What is new about the US border rules for aliens this time?

The new rule is a mandatory, integrated version of biometric data collection which has been limited to some groups of aliens (foreign nationals) on their entry to USA all these years. The new US border regulation that requires all visa holders and Green Cardholders to be photographed during entry and exit is a calculated move to check visa overstays, stop travel document fraud, mitigate national security risks, identify illegal non-immigrants, and trace individuals disobeying immigration laws.

Is the new US entry-exit system similar to India’s e-Arrival Card?

Not at all! Unlike the photo-based US entry and exit system, India’s digital e-arrival card does not require foreign citizens to upload any documents online. Effective 1 October 2025, the e-arrival card to India aims to ensure faster immigration clearance and quick exit or transfer to the connecting domestic flight.

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The US aviation is on the cusp of evolution with multibillion-dollar airport projects for new world-class terminals, large-scale modernization, and capacity expansion. With significant overhauls to better infrastructure, technology, amenities, and security systems for departures, arrivals, and connections, 8 major US airports defy aging. A collective public-private investment of over $40 billions is making these American airports future-ready travel hubs with more widebody-aircraft handling capacity, energy efficiency, accessibility for differently-abled passengers, and likes.

A walk through 9 major US airport upgrade projects: DFW, JFK, BOS, ORD, SFO, ATL, PIT

Dallas DFW Airport Terminal F

DFW Terminal F is a major upcoming US airport expansion that will fast-tracks capacity for American Airlines and strengthen Dallas as a global gateway. It brings industry-first prefabricated megastructure modules, a new Skylink station, and widebody-capable gates. Travelers will notice faster connections, shorter walks between gates, improved baggage flow, and larger retail and lounge spaces, all useful when flying long-haul flights to India from Dallas.

• Budget: Phase 1 Around $1.6 billion; overall $4 billion
• Terminal size: Phase 1 Approx. 400,000 sq ft
• Gates: 15 gates in Phase 1; overall 31 gates
• Timeline: Phase 1 expected to open with 15 gates in 2027
• Features: New Skylink station, improved baggage and security flow, more widebody-capable gates for international routes.

New York JFK Airport Terminal One

Among the new billion-dollar terminals in the US, JFK Airport Terminal One is highly anticipated to be the largest airport terminal in the east coast. It will define how you fly to and from New York. Its contemporary architecture will let ample natural flight in through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Travelers will experience faster security screening, improved customs processing, advanced baggage-handling system, and a unique retail and dining mix – all designed to make long-haul operations, including flights from JFK airport to India, smoother and more enjoyable. Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Air India, and several other international carriers are expected to move their operations to New Terminal One once it opens.

• Budget: Around $9.5 billion; part of a $19 billion JFK redevelopment
• Terminal size: Approx. 2.4–2.6 million sq ft total
• Gates: About 23 gates planned in Phase 1
• Amenities: 300,000+ sq ft of retail, dining, and lounges
• Timeline: Phased openings begin in 2026; full build-out through 2030

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport Expansion

Among the US airports getting major renovations, Atlanta ATL Airport is upgrading for the future through its massive ATLNext modernization program, one of the largest in US aviation. A key highlight is the Concourse D expansion, built with modular construction to minimize disruption while adding much-needed space for passengers. Alongside this, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is renovating its main terminal interiors with better lighting, higher ceilings, and wider walkways to elevate comfort for millions of travelers, including for long-haul flights from Atlanta to India and other global destinations.

• Budget: Around $1.3 billion (part of ATLNext’s $18 billion master plan)
• Size: Concourse D expansion adds about 211,000 sq ft of new space
• Timeline: Expected completion in 2027
• Gates: Around 24 gates
• Plane Train upgrade: $300 million system revamp with 63 new train cars, faster service
• Connectivity improvements: Renovated walkways and automated train stations linking terminals
• Traveler benefits: Less congestion, quicker transfers, improved comfort, and better international connections

Chicago ORD Airport Concourse D

The US airport projects for new terminals and expansions include Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where Concourse D is under construction. It is the first major addition to the terminal complex in more than three decades. Part of the ORDNext modernization program, it is designed to handle both domestic and international operations, helping ORD Airport manage its growing long-haul traffic. Concourse D will feature daylight-filled interiors, flexible gate layouts for widebody aircraft, and a suspended arrivals corridor that separates arrivals and departures.

• Budget: Approximately $1.3 billion
• Size: Around 590,000 sq ft over three levels
• Gates: 19 new gates (convertible for widebody aircraft)
• Timeline: Expected completion in 2028
• Traveler benefits: Faster transfers, improved passenger flow, and better facilities for long-haul international flights

Boston Logan Airport Terminal E

Boston Logan International Airport is upgrading Terminal E to enhance its role as a major US gateway for international travel. The expansion focuses on improving passenger experience and sustainability. The new upgraded terminal will feature a striking red prismatic roof, larger gate areas, and natural-light interiors that will simplify navigation and reduce congestion. A new multi-story parking garage for about 5000 cars will be directly linked with pedestrian and vehicle bridges to Terminals E and C, thereby improving access for departing and arriving passengers.

• Budget: Around $450 million under Massport’s NCEC Program
• Terminal size: 320,000 sq ft expansion + 70,000 sq ft renovation
• Parking structure: 725,000 sq ft multi-story garage
• Gates: 4 new gates with widebody capability
• Timeline: Construction began in 2025; completion targeted for 2028
• Passenger features: New international security checkpoint, daylight-filled interiors, improved customs and baggage systems, and local Boston-inspired retail and dining

Pittsburgh International Airport New Terminal

Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal is one of major US airport development projects. Scheduled to open in November 2025, PIT’s new terminal features advanced TSA scanners that let passengers keep laptops, liquids, and electronics in their carry-ons, speeding up security checks. The airport’s “We Got You” program offers real-time assistance to passengers with various needs. And, since the new terminal is adjacent to the concourses, PIT’s underground train will no longer be needed. Improved wayfinding at Pittsburgh Airport’s new terminal will facilitate tight connections ensuring a great deal of passenger convenience.

• Budget: Around $1.7 billion
• Terminal size: Approximately 811,000 sq ft
• Gates: Around 63 gates
• Expected opening: November 2025
• Unique design: Nature-inspired interiors, tree-branch columns, daylight-filled rooflines
• Amenities: 4 outdoor terraces, centralized security checkpoint, smart scanners, faster baggage systems, and new roadways for quicker drop-off and pickup

San Francisco SFO Airport Terminal 3 Modernization

San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 3 West Modernization is one of the most significant US airport terminal upgrade projects currently underway. The upgrade focuses on improving passenger comfort, space, and efficiency through redesigned interiors, advanced security checkpoints, and a six-story building featuring new lounges, retail, and dining options. The upgraded SFO Terminal 3 will feature a sterile corridor connecting Terminal 3 to International Terminal G, allowing faster and easier transfers for international passengers, including of flights between San Francisco and India.

• Budget: $2.6 billion
• Terminal size: 850,000 sq ft (650,000 sq ft renovated + 200,000 sq ft new)
• Gates: 16 total gates with flexible swing gate capability
• Timeline: Completion by 2029
• Sustainability: LEED Platinum target, solar panels, energy-efficient systems
• Traveler benefits: Brighter interiors, quicker transfers, and upgraded amenities

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport’s $5bn Upgrade

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is undergoing a $5 billion modernization and expansion program called “Upgrade SEA” to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The program includes the C Concourse Expansion and the SEA Gateway Project, both focused on improving comfort, sustainability, and passenger flow. The new C Concourse will rise four additional floors to add restaurants, lounges, and open viewing spaces, while the Gateway Project will rebuild the main terminal’s ticketing and security areas into a brighter, more efficient space.

• Investment: $5 billion modernization program under “Upgrade SEA”
• Size: About 226,530 sq ft
• Timeline: Major works completing by 2026, before the FIFA World Cup
• Sustainability: Rooftop solar panels, electric systems, biophilic interiors, energy-efficient glazing
• Security upgrades: New checkpoints and expanded screening lanes for faster processing
• Traveler benefits: Brighter spaces, smoother check-ins, modern dining options, and shorter security waits

Also Check: How you can enter SeaTac Airport terminal without boarding pass  

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“Sometimes, the smallest spark in the darkest place can light up a world.” For 18-year-old Adarsh Kumar that spark came from a second-hand laptop his mother bought after months of saving. What began as a grit to rise over the gloomy state of poverty in childhood became an enlightening journey that has now inspired thousands. On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti in 2025, the world clapped for Adarsh Kumar for having won the Chegg.org Global Student Prize worth $100,000 from the United States.

This teenage startup founder and changemaker, who had once barely any money for a bus ticket, travelled internationally to receive the prize at an event held in London. The Global Student Prize 2025 winner Adarsh Kumar was selected out of nearly 11,000 nominations from 148 countries. Every year, Chegg Inc, a leading American educational organization, awards the Global Student Prize to “one exceptional student” who has made a real impact on society through education, innovation, and leadership.

Adarsh wants to invest the Global Student Prize money to multiply the socio-economic impact of his community welfare startup – Skillzo – through artificial intelligence and a fellowship. When he was 16 in 2023, he launched Skillzo that helps underprivileged yet meritorious students get scholarships and connects underserved rural youth with mentors for career guidance, as well as development opportunities. In just two years, Skillzo has supported 20,000 students and youths.

A part of the prize money would go into expanding Skillzo and supporting it with AI for better outcomes. He would utilize the prize money to introduce Ignite Fellowship for student innovators and run SkillzoX, a soon-to-be-launched upskilling program designed to empower the deserving youth with future-ready courses in communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, and of course, AI. Building on his experience of struggles to find mentors, he is eyeing improvements for more students and youths, irrespective of religion, community, and caste.

Raised by a single mother who worked as a domestic help to make ends meet; Adarsh Kumar joined the league of legends in Champaran, Bihar where Mahatma Gandhi started his Satyagraha Movement in 1917. Champaran, a historical place with stories of freedom movement, is also the birthplace of George Orwell, an English novelist of ‘Animal Farm’ fame; Manoj Bajpai, a National Film Award-winning actor; and Ramesh Chandra Jha, an eminent author and freedom fighter.

Education being the ultimate baton of ahimsa (non-violence) that Gandhiji preached in his lifetime encouraged Adarsh to dream big in a poverty-laden home where resources were scarce but aspirations were not. At 14, he left home in quest of better education opportunities beyond his village, with strong willpower and the old laptop that his mother had purchased for him. The laptop was his only outlet to access the outer world and explore free online courses until he left the village to make it big in life.

Eventually, he ended up in Kota, a city in Rajasthan, and the hub of prominent coaching institutes in India. Unable to afford paid classes, he studied in libraries, used free Wi-Fi, and continued to reach out to mentors for guidance. His hard work and persistence paid off when he earned a full scholarship worth INR 30 lakh to study at Jayshree Periwal International School in Jaipur.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adarsh Kumar, then only 13, demonstrated leadership by launching a community initiative named Mission Badlao to improve education and healthcare in rural Bihar. The initiative helped secure land for a government school, organized over 2,000 COVID-19 vaccinations, distributed menstrual health products, and led plantation drives. His initiatives earned him recognition far and wide. He is one of the youngest Google Youth Advisors in India and has held leadership roles, including Chief Marketing Officer of Bihar Chhatra Sansad.

The Chegg Global Student Prize winner Adarsh Kumar’s story of grit and resilience, from the dusty streets of Champaran to the spotlight of international media, is a stark reminder – no beginning is too humble for a life to bloom and prosper. He does not define success in terms of wealth or fame but in the number of students empowered and communities uplifted. The award is not just another milestone in his journey, but a big opportunity to scale his mission and vision.

This article is brought to you by Travel Beats, a leading portal for Indian community stories and international travel news. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans for 18 years. Subscribe to the newsletter and follow us on Instagram for significant updates on USA to India travel.

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President Trump’s $100,000 visa fee proclamation for H1B petitions has left not only the entire H1B visa community in utter shock but also those in India scrambling for last-minute flight tickets to the US. It is to hit hard Indians being the backbone of the H1B visa program, with India having received 71% of 85,000 visa petitions in fiscal year 2024.

Who are exempted from paying the new H1B Visa fee $100,000?

Trump’s executive order that imposes a hefty $100,000 fee for H1B visa applies to new petitions. Precisely, the existing H1B visa holders in and outside the United States are exempted. The proclamation clarifies that the new annual fee can be waived for H1B workers employed in the industries aligned to the national interests of America. The Department of Homeland Security is authorized to exercise its discretion in determining whether certain industries hire aliens (non-immigrants) on H1B visa for national interests without posting a threat to the livelihood and welfare of Americans.

Why are US companies calling for immediate return of H1B workers from India?

President Trump’s H1B visa fee hike to $100,000 does also target those who have been outside the US for 12 months or longer. That’s why Microsoft, Cognizant, Google, Apple and other major H1B visa beneficiaries called their H1B employees (who have been working remotely) to return before the fee hike takes effect on 21 September.

What is National Interest Exemption (NIE) in the US?

The United States’ National Interest Exemption is a discretionary measure that allows unrestricted entry into the US for those non-immigrants in the fields of national interest, such as economy, arts, security, medical, engineering, and public welfare. H1B visa holders whose employment is important to the national interests of America can return to the US without paying the $100,000 visa fee.

Though exempted, they may face scrutiny of their documents at entry airports in the US to validate that the nature of their employment is aligned to the national interest.

Facts about Trump’s executive order raising H1B visa fee to $100K?

• Not every H1B visa professional would incur the $100,000 fee hike to their employers. If you’re already living and working with a valid H1B visa in the US, the new fee does not apply to your employer.
• If you are currently on a visit in India and hold a valid H1B visa, you don’t need to rush back to the US. The new visa fee does not impact your return. You can travel to the US any time after 21 September 2025 without worries.
• The White House press secretary clarifies that $100,000 is not an annual fee for new H1B petitions. It’s a one-time fee that is subject to revision in the next 12 months.

Does the new visa fee $100,000 apply to H1B renewals?

The H1B visa price hike does not apply to H1B renewal petitions, according to the assistant to the White House Press Secretary. Yet, it lacks clarity on whether visa renewals scheduled in India after 21 September 2025 would incur the new $100,000 fee.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. The information provided above should not be construed as legal advice. Readers are encouraged to verify details with official government sources and/or consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice tailored to their specific circumstances before making decisions. Indian Eagle and Travel Beats assume no responsibility for actions taken based on this content.

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The Deepavali Day Act, a nationwide movement by Indian American leaders from different walks of life trying to get a federal holiday on Diwali in the US, is still in the dark after 4 years of its introduction. However, something is better than nothing. After Texas and Pennsylvania, California officially declares Diwali, the festival of lights, as a state holiday for South Asian immigrants, including Indians.

PC: BAPS.org and California State Capitol

On June 2, the California State Assembly voted unanimously (78-0) to pass Assembly Bill 268, a proposal that would make Diwali an official state holiday. The bill was introduced by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, California’s first two Hindu American legislators. Hailed as the best Diwali gift to California’s largest Indian-origin population in the US, the legislation – AB 268 – would enable community colleges, public schools, and state offices to close on Diwali.

The California State Assembly Bill 268 headed to the State Senate for approval. It was a significant step towards promoting inclusion of Indian immigrants who have been contributing to California’s growth in all spheres for decades. AB 268 would add the Festival of Lights not only to the list of California State holidays but also to the court calendars for judicial personnel. It would designate Diwali as a paid holiday for state employees in California.

Recognizing Diwali at the state level is not just about a day-off. It is about embracing the cultural identity of Indian immigrants who have woven themselves into the socio-economic fabrics of the Golden State. Diwali is also a time for Indian families across California for a reunion at temples in the state. By declaring Diwali as a state holiday, California made it possible to say, “Yes, Diwali belongs here too. Your traditions matter.”

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for their unanimous, bipartisan support of AB 268, which would have California officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday,” said Ash Kalra after the vote. Fellow Assemblymember Darshana Patel also highlighted the cultural significance of the bill, calling it a proud moment for the American Hindu community. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) added, “Kudos to the US Indian Seniors for mobilizing the Hindu community on this important initiative.”

“We are happy for our customers from California, who would get to celebrate Diwali with peace of mind, most probably starting this year. Diwali celebration is grand not only in California but also in the northeast coast where many school districts observe Diwali as a holiday. May the Deepavali Day Act gain momentum this year to make the Festival of Lights a federal holiday” said the chief customer relations officer of Indian Eagle, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in the US.

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The middle seat on Business Class flights has been a traveler’s worst irony: you pay thousands of dollars for luxury, space, and comfort, yet end up traveling squeezed between two neighbors with no aisle access. Premium travel demands privacy, direct aisle access, room to stretch out, and space to breathe freely; not the feeling of being boxed in. Emirates Airlines has finally put an end to that compromise by introducing a new 1-2-1 Business Class seating layout across its Boeing 777 fleet, removing middle seats completely.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class seating is now family-friendly

If you have ever booked Emirates Business Class flight tickets and flown in the older 777 aircraft, you probably remember the 2-3-2 seating layout. Seven seats in a single row meant someone always lost out on privacy, and solo travelers often sandwiched between strangers and having to climb over them to reach the aisle. This setup was far from ideal, and for couples, it was a game of luck whether they could sit together comfortably.

The new 1-2-1 Emirates Business Class seating configuration solves all those issues in one elegant move. Four seats across each row mean there is no middle seat at all, giving every passenger direct aisle access and more personal space. In the new layout, window seats are perfect for solo travelers who are concerned about privacy, while the center pair works well for couples flying together. This is also suitable for booking business class travel for your parents who always travel together. Even if you are seated in the center, you still have your own aisle.

Which Routes have Emirates’ new B777 with ‘No Middle Seat’ layout

Emirates has already started flying the upgraded 777 aircraft on several key international routes. The Dubai-based airline began the B777 retrofit program in late 2024. By September 2025, about 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are already flying with the new 1-2-1 Business Class with no middle seats. You can find new seats on Emirates flights from India to Boston, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Newark, London Stansted, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Madrid, Vienna, and Riyadh.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class seat features

Emirates Airlines’ retrofitted B777 aircraft has 78-inch fully flat beds, so you can stretch out on long-haul USA-India business class flights. Each seat is upholstered in soft cream leather with wood accents that add a touch of sophistication. The entertainment screen is huge 23 inches in HD, with Bluetooth pairing so you can use your own headphones. You also get multiple charging options, including USB-C ports, a universal power outlet, and USB-A slots. A personal minibar is tucked into the seat; a feature that frequent Emirates flyers will recognize from its A380s.

How to check if Emirates flights to India/USA have 1-2-1 Cabin Layout

The easiest way to check if your Emirates Business Class flight has the new 1-2-1 seating layout or the old 2-3-2 configuration is by viewing the seat map during booking. If you see four seats laid out in a 1-2-1 row, you can be sure about the new cabin with direct aisle access for every passenger. Another way is to call the customer support of Indian Eagle, your trusted US-India flight booking partner, to confirm if your preferred itinerary has middle seats on Emirates B777 Business Class flights.

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“I am proud of my daughter, Shivangi!” Those words, written in bold on a whiteboard at Microsoft’s global headquarters in the United States, became the highlight of a heartwarming video that recently went viral. Shivangi Reja, a software engineer, shared a short video of her parents visiting her coveted workplace at Microsoft’s headquarters in Seattle Metro Area, where her ‘American Dream’ career is taking shape.

Contrary to the age-old belief in small Indian towns that daughters don’t bring fame to their parents unlike sons, Shivangi’s parents invested in her education and career rather than a big fat destination wedding. Shivangi not only flew her parents out to USA from India but also gave them a ceremonial welcome to her new home near Seattle. Since their arrival in June, the parents have been on a memorable multi-city tour across America, garnering new experiences.

The best part of their trip to the US is the moment that doubled their happiness during a tour of Shivangi’s workplace at Microsoft headquarters. Their beamed with pride and joy beyond measure that words could hardly explain. The Instagram reel shows Shivangi walking her parents through the expansive Microsoft campus that sprawls across 500 acres and houses more than 125 buildings. She guided them through her workspace, meeting rooms, and the buzzing cafeteria.

Their Microsoft tour culminated in a touching moment when her parents wrote a message on a meeting room whiteboard, “I am proud of my daughter Shivangi.” A few months ago, another Indian-origin techie hit headlines for booking his parents’ first ever international travel to USA and giving them a tour of his Nvidia office in California. For Indian parents, moments like these are never just simple office tours at trillion-dollar American MNCs. Rather, a walk down memory lane – the days of their hard work, their sacrifices, their joy over simple things, their investments (of energy, time, and effort).

In the video caption, Shivangi explained the deeper meaning behind the tour. She wrote, “From a small town in India to showing my parents the place I call my workplace @microsoft. This isn’t just my dream come true, it’s theirs too. Every sacrifice, every prayer, every hope they carried has led me here. Today, I didn’t just bring them to my office, I brought them to the dream we built together. And honestly, what more could a daughter ask for than seeing her parents say, ‘We’re proud of you.”

Shivangi Reja’s video has garnered around 5 million views and thousands of comments, with many stating that the scene brought tears to their eyes. One of her followers commented, “The ultimate dream of every Indian kid working abroad, and the ultimate joy of every Indian parent!” Another wrote, “Parents’ happiness is the true measure of our success. The smile on their faces says it all.”

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Diwali is that time of the year when Indians spend heavily for new purchases and seek discounts, at the same time. They buy new clothes on one hand and reuse old clothes as dusters for pre-Diwali house cleaning on the other hand. Celebrating this facet of Indianness, Indian Eagle – the most trusted travel-booking partner for Indians in America – has brought you the Festival of Flights with a special airfare discount for your upcoming holiday travel to India in 2025 or 2026.

Make your once-a-year trip to home (country) as festive as Diwali with flat $25 discount on cheap USA-India flight tickets available at IndianEagle.com. You can grab the festive offer on booking a one-way or round-trip flight itinerary of Air India, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, and other airlines. The #IndianEaglediscount can be availed for your immediate travel booking, winter holiday travel to India, or travel in 2026, irrespective of travel class, departure airport, arrival airport, layover, and fare type.

Your homecoming is as special as a festival for your parents, friends, and family at large in India. Therefore, Indian Eagle wishes to extend your Diwali celebration until you travel home this winter holiday season. You can also celebrate gift-wali Diwali by sharing the Indian Eagle fare discount coupon (DIWALITB25) with your neighbors or friends in the USA.

How to Book cheap Indian Eagle flight tickets with $25 Off 

It is just a matter of few simple steps! Open IndianEagle.com, search for itineraries based on your route and travel dates, select the fare deal of your choice, fill details of travelers, apply the fare discount code (DIWALITB25), and make payment. An instant discount of $25 is available on some itineraries, whereas you may get cashback $25 on some itineraries within 48 hours of issuance of your flight tickets. The cashback will be given to you through your preferred mode of refund – ACH, Amazon Gift Voucher, or Zelle Pay.

Indian Eagle fare discount validity

Indian Eagle’s Diwali offer – $25 discount on flight tickets to India – is valid through 20 October 2025. Precisely, you can book flight tickets from USA to India during the offer validity period for traveling any time in 2025 or 2026. Precisely, grab the offer before 20 October 2025 and travel later.

How many times you can use the discount code

You can get the discount only once on booking of travel for one traveler or more, but not per person/traveler in a reservation. If you are planning a holiday trip to India for two travelers, you can use the same discount code – DIWALITB25 – to get $25 off for both by booking their flight tickets separately and using different email IDs as well as contact numbers.

Who can grab the Diwali-special flight discount offer 

The Indian Eagle fare discount is open to all. You can grab the offer to save $25 on cheap airline tickets from USA to India for your solo trip or family travel.

The post Festival of Flights: Get Discounts for Your US to India Travel on Air India, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Turkish Airline, Others first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Festival of Flights: Get Discounts for Your US to India Travel on Air India, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Turkish Airline, Others appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Come 2026, flying with Qatar Airways to and from the US will be a more premium experience. Qatar Airways’ first flagship lounge in USA is coming up at New York JFK Airport where the airline will shift its operations to the brand new Terminal One from Terminal 8. The world’s Best Airline 2025 by Skytrax will offer the signature hospitality of Qatar in America and enhance your airport luxury statement.

Inside Qatar Airways’ first US lounge at JFK Terminal One

One of the world’s best business class airlines recognized by Skytrax Awards 2025, the Doha-based carrier officially announced that it is opening a 15,000-sqft lounge facility at JFK Airport’s newest terminal in 2026. Anticipations are high that the lounge will be an oasis of luxury and comfort for premium guests from across the world. The state-of-the-art facility will have all modern trappings, such as VIP check-in, swanky dining space, duty-free shopping, private relaxation areas, alongside dedicated prayer rooms.

Qatar Airways’ upcoming JFK lounge may provide direct access to the boarding gate for international flights from New York to India and other countries, much like Etihad Airways’ US Pre-clearance lounge in Abu Dhabi. Currently, John F. Kennedy Airport houses several airlines lounges including Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Emirates Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Club House, Alaska Lounge, and Air India Maharaja Lounge (under renovation), but neither of these JFK lounges offers direct boarding facility.

Who can access Qatar Airways’ lounge at New York JFK

The airline is yet to give an official statement regarding who, among its premium passengers, can access the 15,000-sqft lounge at JFK Airport, the largest gateway in the east coast US. It is obvious that Qatar Airways’ Qsuite customers, those booking long-haul business class flight tickets, first class flyers, and premium guests of other Oneworld airlines would get access to the lounge in JFK Airport’s new Terminal One.

While Qatar Airways among our partners is raising the bar in passenger experience, Indian Eagle – the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans – boasts a proven record in booking budget airline tickets to India and unbeatable phone-only flight deals at +1800-615-3969 (from the US). Follow Indian Eagle on Instagram for flight discounts and US-India travel updates.

Airlines shifting their New York operations to JFK Airport’s New Terminal One

Other than Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Etihad Airways, KLM, EVA Air, Korean Air, Air New Zealand, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and Lot Polish Airlines will shift their base to the brand new Terminal One in 2026.

The post Qatar Airways to Open Its First US Lounge at New York JFK Airport, with Direct Access to Boarding Gate first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Qatar Airways to Open Its First US Lounge at New York JFK Airport, with Direct Access to Boarding Gate appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.