Not anymore! Air India’s free check-in baggage allowance on economy flights will be varying with fare types – VALUE and CLASSIC, effective for bookings made on or after 5 June 2025. The lowest economy fare with two pieces of free checked baggage (each up to 23kg) will be all history for new reservations starting June 5. Precisely, you can check in only one bag (max 23kg) for free with Air India flight tickets in the VALUE segment (lowest economy fare). Checking in a second bag for the VALUE economy fare would cost you USD 240 per one-way trip.

However, the CLASSIC fare type will let you check in two bags for free on Air India’s economy flights between USA and India, irrespective of routes, aircraft, and travel dates.

Air India: Fare Difference between Value and Classic in Economy 

The difference between Air India’s VALUE and CLASSIC fares is only $60, which is just one-fourth of USD 240 for checking in a second bag with the VALUE economy tickets. If you have two bags (each 23kg) to check in, it is wise to choose the CLASSIC fare type over the VALUE fare type for Economy Class travel on Air India. The CLASSIC fare (though $60 more than the one-way VALUE fare) is worth not only for a free second checked bag but also lesser fees for rescheduling and cancellation.

“By choosing the lowest economy fare (VALUE) to save only $60 one way, you may end up incurring additional costs. If you need to pack more stuff into the free checked bag rather than checking in a second bag, Air India will charge you USD 130 for the free checked bag’s excess weight up to 32kg. Given all scenarios, we recommend CLASSIC fares to our customers for economy travel on Air India,” said the chief travel economist of Indian Eagle, the trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans.

I booked my flight tickets to Mumbai in April but I will travel in early July. I got the lowest Air India deal from Indian Eagle. Can I check in more than one bag for free?      

Yes, you can. Since your booking was done in April, Air India’s revised checked baggage policy for the VALUE fare tickets does not apply to you. The changes to the check-in baggage allowance for the cheapest economy fares of Air India will be effective for new bookings starting 5 June 2025.

The post Air India Revises Free Checked Baggage Allowance for US to India Economy Flights, Effective from June 5 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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.

PC: IndianEagle.com

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 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Like previous years, the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals has a majority of finalists from Indian Community in America. The art and science of spelling tongue-twisting words is a cherished pursuit in many Indian households across the United States. May their legacy of wins in spelling bee contests continue this year!

PC: Scripps National Spelling Bee | Facebook

Sarv Dharavane, Georgia

Sarv Dharavane, only 11 years old, is making waves as the youngest finalist in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. He is a bundle of energy and curiosity. Reading and playing outdoors are his favorite pursuits. Other than being active in soccer and swimming, he has earned a green belt in tae kwon do. From solving Rubik’s Cubes at a lightning speed to building with Lego and dabbling in coding, Sarv is a problem-solving prodigy. A diehard fan of fantasy books and movies, he aspires to be a scientist or mathematician.

Harini Murali, New Jersey

Harini Murali, a talented 8^th grader from Edison, New Jersey, is no stranger to the Scripps stage. She had started her journey as a speller from the fourth grade. After tying for 9th place in 2024, she returned with more confidence and ended up among the 9 finalists of Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025. A history buff, Harini is also deeply rooted in the arts. She learns Carnatic music and Indian classical dance, and proudly plays first chair viola in her school’s chamber orchestra. Whether it is academics or arts, Harini brings dedication and grace to everything she does.

Sarvadnya Kadam, California

Sarvadnya Kadam, a curious and thoughtful eighth grader from California, lives up to the meaning of his Sanskrit name, “the one who knows all.” He loves diving deep into ancient history, math, and profound philosophical questions. A big fan of classics like The Iliad and The Odyssey, Sarvadnya previously competed in 2023 (tying for 23rd place) and 2024 (tying for 60th place). This time, he is among the Scripps National Spelling Bee finalists. He is fond of Mumbai’s street food like Pav Bhaji and admires Kautilya Chanayka.

Aishwarya Kallakuri, North Carolina

Aishwarya Kallakuri, a 14 year old from Charlotte, is a determined finalist this year after tying for 22^nd place in 2024. She is an avid reader, prolific writer, and a music enthusiast. This eighth grader distributes yoga and philosophy books for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Her profound interest in learning new languages took her on trips to India, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. With dreams of pursuing a career in psychology and neurology, Aishwarya hopes to give back to the spelling community that has shaped her journey.

Faizan Zaki, Texas

Faizan Zaki, a bright 13-year-old from Dallas, Texas, had incredibly finished second in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals. He is now eying the most coveted trophy as one of the finalists this year. He made history last year as the first Indian Muslim in 96 years to rank second at the Bee. When he is not playing with words, Faizan is all about fun. Playing video games, chatting with friends, speedcubing, and making music on the viola are his favorite pastimes. Faizan, a language enthusiast, is currently picking up French.

Akshaj Somisetty, Pennsylvania 

Akshaj Somisetty, a fun-loving 13 year old from Pennsylvania, is back to the 2025 Scripps Spelling Bee as a finalist after tying for 60th place in 2024. When he is not buys spelling tricky words, Akshaj enjoys biking, swimming, and catching up on sleep. He is a big fan of board games and loves reading fantasy books. He is equally proficient in Telugu and Spanish other than English. He has a sweet tooth for cookies as well as cream ice cream, and binge-eats pizza. New Zealand is his dream destination.

Esha Marupudi, Arizona

Esha Marupudi, a 13-year-old seventh grader from Phoenix, Arizona, nailed the spelling of the word ‘Ektexine’ and made it to the grand finale of Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025. She is more than a spelling whiz. She’s a music lover who enjoys singing and playing the piano. When she’s not hitting the right notes, Esha loves diving into books on biology and history. She also enjoys fun family moments, playing board games like Monopoly and Scrabble with her little sister. She nurtures dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter and making it big in medicine.

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 Travel, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans for more than 15 years. Subscribe to the newsletter and follow us on Instagram for significant updates on USA to India travel.

The post Among 9 Finalists, 7 Indian-origin Spellers are Eyeing $50K Prize and Trophy at 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

What is American Airlines’ Touchless ID for TSA PreCheck?

American Airlines’ new Touchless ID program uses facial recognition technology to simplify and speed up passenger identity verification at TSA checkpoints for eligible flyers. Launched in collaboration with the US Transportation Security Administration, this is a step into the future of air travel. With contact-free security options being the new cool, your face is now your ID and boarding pass for American Airlines flights to India or any other destination.

Who can use American Airlines’ TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?

Among the passengers of American airlines, those who are both AAdvantage members and TSA PreCheck travelers with an active Known Traveler Number (KTN) are eligible for the Touchless ID program. You must also have a valid passport. Once you meet requirements and opt in for the program through American Airlines’ website or app, you can breeze through the TSA security screening via a dedicated touchless ID lane at certain airports in the US. The opt-in is valid for one year and can be canceled at any time.

How American Airlines’ Touchless ID Works?

When you enter a TSA PreCheck touchless ID lane, a facial recognition camera scans your face. It then checks that scan against the passport photo you already saved during your check-in with TSA. If identification is successfully done, you’re cleared to go through security without the need of showing your ID or boarding pass. This can save a lot of time, especially for frequent flyers and families trying to catch a connecting domestic flight after landing from long international flights from India to USA.

The Touchless ID program is part of a larger trend that US airlines, including United and Delta, are adopting to facilitate more biometric applications, like self-check-in, self-bag-drop, faster boarding, and even lounge access. India’s Trusted Traveler Program for faster immigration clearance uses the same technology.

While American Airlines is the latest to introduce Touchless ID, the technology itself isn’t entirely new. Delta Air Lines was the first to test facial recognition for TSA PreCheck passengers, starting at its hubs in Atlanta and Detroit. United Airlines followed, rolling out touchless ID at major airports like Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles. Alaska Airlines also joined the bandwagon by launching similar touchless identity verification at Seattle and a few other locations.

Which US airports have got American Airlines’ Touchless ID?

American Airlines has rolled out the Touchless ID program at seven major airports in the US:

• Roland Reagan National Airport, Washington DC
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport
• Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• New York LaGuardia Airport
• Salt Lake City International Airport

American Airlines, its codeshare partner Qatar Airways, and other major airlines’ best flight deals are available at IndianEagle.com for your travel between USA and India. Indian Eagle is the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians and Americans for more than 15 years. You can also call us at +1800-615-3969 to grab exclusive phone-only deals from our airline partners and save BIG.

Also Check: Mobile Passport Control, a free alternative to Global Entry, for faster US immigration & customs

The post American Airlines Rolls out Touchless ID for Smarter, Safer, Smoother TSA PreCheck Security Screening appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Saas and Bahus are mostly at loggerheads from Indian TV family soaps to Indian households. Either mothers-in-law are dominating and daughters-in-law are submissive, or daughters-in-law are scheming and mothers-in-law are suffering. In times when their “kitchen politics” grab eyeballs to raise TRPs for TV serials, a real-life saas-bahu duo – Sushila and Aishwarya – have bonded over food as friends and business partners though they are thousands of miles apart from each other.

Sushila cooks Marathi flavors in her kitchen in Mumbai and her daughter-in-law Aishwarya serves the same from New York. The saas creates culinary magic in India and ships to New York with dollops of nostalgia. The bahu packages it and sells to Indian expats across the United States where all Indian things are available these days, except authentic Maa ka Khana. Their bond is called and celebrated as Namkeen Queens.

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Before Namkeen Queens was born, Sushila Aai would send her handmade sweets and snacks to her son and daughter-in-law in New York on festive occasions like Diwali. Engaged in the American rate race, their only comfort of home away from home was Sushila’s besan ladoo, rava ladoo, and chakli from India. Festive boxes of homemade savories on flights from Mumbai to New York blossomed into a full-blown business – Namkeen Queens in the US.

For Aishwarya Shankar, a Keralite of Tamil descent, the Marathi snacks with touches of Kolhapur cuisine tasted completely different; however, the love, warmth, and care that Sushila Aai cooks with felt familiar to her. Little did she know then that they, in-laws by relation, would bond over food as daughter and mother, and business partners. With the neighboring Indians showing interest in her mother-in-law’s snacks, Aishwarya hatched a business idea.

Aishwarya quit her corporate career in the US and launched Namkeen Queens with Sushila Aai as a co-founder. She was a seasoned product manager with years of experience navigating the dynamic landscape of product development in digital commerce. Though located in different hemispheres, they teamed up with both ‘excitement and uncertainty’ – only to start ruling as ‘Namkeen Queens’ in September 2024.

When Aishwarya pitched the idea to the family, Sushila Aai did not turn averse to cooking savories at a commercial scale. Rather, she agreed to don a home chef’s hat for herself. Commercial cooking is not difficult for her, as she cooked for large gatherings and festive occasions for years – an age-old tradition in joint Indian families. Aishwarya’s brother-in-law also stepped in to supply logistics and provide any other support to Sushila Aai in Mumbai.

Piloted by the daughter-in-law’s business acumen, the mother-in-law’s culinary artistry began to take flights to USA from India, delivering an experience, a feeling, an authentic taste that Indians abroad long for.

“Namkeen Queens is not just a brand—it’s a tribute to the rich culinary legacy of my mother-in-law (Sushila Aai). Her cooking skills and authentic recipes are at the heart of our mission. She’s a remarkable woman with incredible culinary talent. I’m committed to preserving and sharing her culinary magic with the world, turning traditional Marathi flavors into a global sensation,” Namkeen Queens’ CEO Aishwarya told Travel Beats, a leading overseas Indian community portal.

Namkeen Queens’ authentic Indians snacks are equally popular with Indian expats missing the taste of home and other ethnic groups curious about Indian flavors. Yearnings for Maa ka Khana and value for the authenticity of ingredients used keep Namkeen Queens alive as a bridge not only between Aishwarya and Sushila, but also the US and India. Aishwarya defines Namkeen Queens as “a connection to heritage, a celebration of tradition, and a way of sharing the warmth of home…”

The post Namkeen Queens: A Heartwarming Story of Saas-Bahu Bonding over Food and Serving Nostalgia in USA appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Etihad flights to Charlotte will take off on May 4, 2026, and this is good news for Indians in North Carolina. They will get to travel on a Middle East airline other than Lufthansa, American Airlines, and United Airlines. Precisely, Etihad Airways is the first Middle East carrier to expand to North Carolina and operate flights from Charlotte to India via Abu Dhabi, a popular transit layover in the UAE. Etihad will further connect travelers from North Carolina to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Kozhikode, and Trivandrum.

With more than 450,000 Asian Americans living in North Carolina, and Indian-origin immigrants being the largest ethnic group, Etihad Airways is a more convenient option for them. Among the perks of flying with Etihad, you will get to enjoy the inflight hospitality and award-winning service that the Middle East airlines are known for. Etihad is a family-friendly airline with inflight nanny service for infants and trained nurses for passengers with a medical condition.

Booking Etihad flight tickets for a round trip or two one-way trips between USA and India is an opportunity to explore Abu Dhabi City for less. Of course, it depends on the layover length in your itinerary. Etihad Airways offers various Abu Dhabi stopover programs to international transit travelers. Interestingly, US citizens are eligible for the UAE’s visa on arrival at Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi. Indians can get a single-entry transit visa to Abu Dhabi for 48 to 96 hours.

Among the top 10 airlines on major India-USA routes, Etihad Airways stands out for the US immigration preclearance facility at AUH Airport, a major advantage for USA-bound travelers from India and other countries. Unbeatable flight deals from IndianEagle.com, the most trusted travel-booking partner for Indians and Americans, make it another advantage of flying with Etihad.

The post It’s Official: Charlotte to Get Etihad Flights with One-stop Connections to India via Abu Dhabi in 2026 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Currently available at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Air India’s ‘Family Assistance’ counters aim to make your airport experience smoother and far less stressful by providing personalized support and guidance, from check-in to baggage handling, customs queries, and immigration formalities. Air India is not only transforming into a more family-friendly carrier but also joining the ranks of best international airlines to fly between USA and India.

PC: Air India

Integral to the Tata Group’s transformation plan – Vihaan.AI – for Air India, the Family Assistance counters extend support to passengers with special requirements, such as wheelchair assistance. This initiative comes in handy if you forget to request wheelchair assistance for yourself or your elderly parent at the time of booking Air India flight tickets. You can ask for wheelchair support at the Family Assistance counter.

Elevating your experience also in the sky, Air India’s new ‘Family Assistance’ service may get you seated with your family on flights from New Delhi to USA, London, Singapore, and other destinations. It depends on seat availability during your airport check-in. This one-stop initiative is very useful for senior citizens’ unaccompanied travel. The airline staff at the Family Assistance counter will offer service to “help them navigate from the check-in counter to the designated boarding gate of their flight while completing all the airport formalities”, and thereby ensuring peace of mind for their families.

Part of Air India’s meet and greet service, the dedicated Family Assistance check-in counters are similar to British Airways’ in-person airport assistance at five Indian airports. British Airways’ ‘Meet and Assist’ team offers assistance in five Indian languages: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Punjabi, from check-in to boarding at Indian airports to transit at London Heathrow. It seems that this kind of thoughtful passenger-friendly service has become a bandwagon that airlines are jumping on.

Prior to setting up Family Assistance counters at New Delhi Airport, Air India brought screen-free entertainment for children on long-haul flights that Indian Eagle Travel books at the most unbeatable fares. Air India’s collaboration with Vobble, an audio content platform, is a deliberate move to reduce inflight screen time for kids, who otherwise indulge in visual content for hours. During its ongoing transformation journey, Air India has made several key improvements and achieved some milestones – which make Air India worth flying with for trips to and from India.

The post Air India Launches ‘Family Assistance’ Counters to Help You with Check-in, Baggage, Wheelchair, Immigration appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Air India partners with Vobble to keep kids engaged on board      

This AI-generated image is for illustration purpose only

However, it is no longer a concern for those taking air India flights from USA to India, or from India to USA and other countries. Air India has become a family-friendly airline in a bid to reduce inflight screen time for children. Most recently, the airline introduced screen-free entertainment for children aged 4 to 12 by partnering with Vobble, a dedicated audio OTT platform for kids.

Air India’s partnership with Vobble to reduce inflight screen time for children is a relief for many parents choosing nonstop flights to/from India. Accessible on Vista Stream, Air India’s wireless inflight entertainment service across the fleet, Vobble offers more than 20 hours of kids-friendly audio content in various genres, including stories, music, podcasts, and shows. Vobble is an audio library of educational content and world knowledge trivia too for kids to fly engaged with minimal screen time.

“This development came at a juncture when rerouting of Air India flights to New Delhi from Chicago, New York, Newark, Washington DC, and SFO has extended trips by 2-3 hours. The longer flying hours, the more screen time for kids on board. With Vobble audio content for kids, the Tata Airline mitigates your worries about how to keep your child entertained for long hours. Interestingly, this makes Air India as kids-friendly as its rivals – Emirates and Etihad,” said Sourav Agarwal, Senior Editor of Travel Beats.

Air India vs Emirates and Etihad

Air India’s partnership with Vobble for kids to fly engaged with audio content is just one of the offerings that Emirates and Etihad make for family-friendly air travel. Emirates and Etihad flights to/from India offer a range of thoughtful services and activities as part of onboard entertainment tailed for young passengers. Emirates ensures children have a delightful flying experience engaging with age-appropriate activity packs. Etihad is also second to none when it comes to family-friendly inflight offerings, such as Flying Nanny service to keep kids engaged with cartoon games, coloring kits, and storybooks, so parents can relax during a long-haul journey.

Check out the rerouting of Air India flights from East Coast USA to New Delhi on our Instagram page.

The post Air India Partners with Vobble to Become a Family-friendly Airline with Minimal Screen Time for Kids appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Applying for US visas is now easier, faster, and smarter. The days of long visa waits at US embassies and consulates in India and other countries are numbered, as the US State Department is digitally transforming your visa journey by speeding up the process, from selection to queries to application to interviews. Let’s say hello to the US Visa Navigator, a new AI-powered digital assistant that is designed to remove hassles from the end-to-end application process.

PC: IndianEagle.com

What is US Visa Navigator Tool?

Integrated to the country-wise websites of US embassies and consulates, the Visa Navigator Tool is a real-time assistant to clear your confusion, address your queries, help you with latest updates, guide you step-by-step through application, and reduce unnecessary delays. It takes days, sometimes weeks, to get response to your visa-related queries via email. The new AI tool aims to eliminate delays by giving you case-specific answers in real time and around the clock.

With the online Visa Navigator Tool, the US State Department simplifies the way you navigate the visa selection and application process. It also eliminates the need to go through the US visa-related FAQ pages. It leaves little room for mistakes by breaking down the complex information and outlining the tedious application process step by step for your convenience. Precisely, no more waiting for clarification! No more delays for application!

Is it safe to use the Visa Navigator Tool?

The US State Department claims it to be safe for users. The Visa Navigator neither tracks you nor asks for your personal information. Unlike commercial chatbots, it does not even collect your name, IP address, gender, nationality, or any other identifiable detail. You can expect to get information, clarification, and guidance in real time, regardless of your identity and location, without being watched.

How USA Visa Navigator Tool Works

You can access the Visa Navigator Tool on a US embassy website or consulate. It has a clean, form-style interface (Google Forms). It walks you through a few simple steps to identify your needs, like whether you’re applying for a new visa or visa renewal, and in which category. As you click through, the tool tailors its advice based on your inputs.

First, the tool asks, “What can we help you with?” and gives several options like “Nonimmigrant visas” (tourism, work, study), “Immigrant visas” (green cards), “Green Card issues” (lost/expired), “Diplomatic/Official visas”, “Visa Fraud”, “US Citizen Services”, or “Other questions.” Selecting the right category narrows down the advice you’ll get.

Next, it asks something like “Which of the below best describes you?” with choices such as “I’m a new applicant”, “My visa is under processing”, or “I have a valid/expired US visa and have questions.” This way the US Visa Navigator knows whether you’re starting fresh or need help renewing or replacing a visa. Finally, the tool shows very specific topics (based on your selection so far). You pick the one that best matches your exact query.

If you’re planning a trip to the US from India, the Visa Navigator can be a huge help with your visa queries. This newly launched tool is embedded to the websites of the US Embassy and Consulates in India. Simply go to the visa section of the embassy or consulate website and click on the Visa Navigator link to get started.

The US State Department described it as “just the beginning and a part of the global push to digitize consular services and make the visa journey more transparent and user-friendly.” So, give Visa Navigator a try to get through the process without delay. This 24/7 digital guide could save you time, reduce stress, and help you avoid mistakes. The US Visa Navigator tool is getting you one step closer to your goal of visiting or living in America.

The post USA Launches Visa Navigator Tool: Applying for US Visa is Now Easier, Faster, Smarter appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

We long to have a few more moments with our near and dear ones when we go to see off them at an international airport. Many Indians in the US bid goodbye to their departing family, parents, or friends from outside the airport terminal, as non-travelers can’t enter the terminal except at some airports, like Philadelphia International Airport, where visitor passes are available for non-flyers.

Deepika Jain, an Indian immigrant in New Jersey, shared with Indian Eagle how she obtained the Philadelphia Airport Visitor Pass for herself, how it enabled her to accompany her parents to the departure gate, and how she was able to lessen their pre-travel anxiety. Early this month, her visiting parents on B2 Visa traveled back to Delhi with Qatar Airways. Then, they reached home in Ahmedabad after a short stay at a family friend’s in New Delhi.

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It was her parents’ first international travel to the US and first visit to her. Their long-haul travel journey to the US did not worry her as much as their return trip did, as one of her friends accompanied them on nonstop Air India flights to New York from Delhi some three months ago. They came to bless their daughters for her housewarming ceremony near Flushing, Queens where the Ganesh Temple of New York is located. Deepika’s time with them passed like a dream over the past 3 months.

“I began to feel anxious as their return travel neared. They had to fly back unaccompanied this time. I wanted to be with them as long as possible before their departure to India,” Deepika said with moist eyes. Luckily, she read about Seattle Airport Visitor Pass on Travel Beats. It propelled her to google whether Philadelphia Airport allows nonticketed visitors to enter the terminal and go past security, as she had booked their return on Qatar Airways flights from Philadelphia to Delhi for Indian Eagle’s best deals.

She discovered Philadelphia Airport’s Wingmate Guest Pass program that enables non-travelers to go through security checks, from 4 am to 10 pm, just for one day. “I could not believe PHL Airport offers visitor passes. Just knowing I could accompany them to the departure gate through TSA security checkpoints gave me peace of mind,” said Deepika Jain. She shared with Travel Beats – how to apply for the PHL Wingmate Guest Pass online.

She visited Philadelphia Airport’s website and filled out the application with her personal information, as well as a valid email ID. She had to give a reason for visiting the airport and upload a copy of her government-issued photo ID. She received a confirmation email with a QR code to her registered email ID on successful review of the application by TSA. It was that easy to get a visitor pass for Philadelphia International Airport.

Since the PHL Airport Guest Pass program was unveiled in November 2023, thousands of non-flyers have used it. You can apply for it 7 days before your planned visit. Same-day applications are likely to be rejected. The airport issues only 100 Wingmate Guest Passes every day. Those under 18 years of age can also apply, but an adult person must accompany them to the airport. You may visit with service animals.  The most critical condition is that your name must match with your government-issued ID.

On the day of travel, Deepika effortlessly accompanied her parents through check-in and TSA. Since they reached the airport early, they had a meal together in the terminal. Also, she got some time to make them understand the international transit process at Doha Airport, as they were scheduled to fly with Qatar Airways. She heaved a sigh of relief while bidding them goodbye.

The post ‘How I Accompanied My Parents to Boarding Gate through Security at Philadelphia Airport with a Guest Pass,’ Shares an Indian American appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.