To the dismay of many travelers, Air India announced suspension of its services between Washington DC and New Delhi for an infinite period starting September 1, 2025. The temporary removal of Washington DC from the nonstop US-India travel corridor not only affects confirmed Air India bookings for winter 2025 travel but also summer 2026 travel plans for this route. It marks a significant change for travelers who rely on nonstop Air India flights with short travel times between the capital cities of USA and India.

Why is Air India suspending direct service to and from Washington DC? 

Air India suspends Washington DC to India direct flights amid aircraft shortage, operational challenges, and strategic adjustments. 26 B787-8 Dreamliners in the Air India fleet have been withdrawn from long-haul service like IAD-DEL, as extensive retrofitting of the aircraft and its outdated travel cabins has begun after a long delay from the actual schedule. Expected to run through 2026, Air India’s aircraft retrofit project is aimed at elevating inflight experience for travelers.

Currently, A350-900 is the only newest, safest and best aircraft in Air India fleet. Some loyalists of Air India remarked that temporary suspension of Delhi-Washington DC flights is a blessing in disguise, since the B787-8 aircraft retrofit is a pressing need of the hour given various operational challenges and poor inflight amenities.

Adding to the B787-8 aircraft issues is the continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace, which forces Air India to reroute some flights between USA and India via Europe and Mongolia. The duration of a trip has stretched from 15 hours to 20 hours or more due to detours and additional fuel stops, thereby increasing the operational costs.

Alternate travel options for cancelled Air India flights between Washington DC and India after 1 September 2025? 

Air India is offering alternate travel options or refunds to travelers with flight bookings to or from Dulles IAD Airport for 1 September onwards. The airline will contact them soon. If you booked your travel between Washington DC and India through IndianEagle.com, you can call our customer helpline +1800-615-3969 (from the US).   

Alternate travel arrangements include flying to/from Washington, DC through Air India’s other four gateways – New York JFK, Newark EWR, Chicago ORD, and San Francisco. You can opt for rebooking Air India flights with domestic connection to/from Washington Dulles Airport, and the domestic connection will be operated by Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and/or Delta Airlines among Air India’s interline partners in the US. Your check-in bags will be checked through to the final destination.

Alternate airline flights between Washington DC and India for winter 2025 and summer 2026 travel 

No other airlines, except Air India, provide nonstop travel from Dulles IAD to India. Obviously, temporary suspension of Air India services between DC IAD and New Delhi IGI, effective 1 September 2025, is disheartening news for many Indians, especially unaccompanied senior citizens who prefer international travel without connection in a third country.

However, Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner for Indians in USA, will get you best one-stop flights from Washington Dulles to India with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air Canada. You can explore Indian Eagle flight deals online or call +1800-615-3969 for Indian Eagle’s phone-only budget deals for winter 2025 or summer 2026 travel.

Check out our $1000 flight discount giveaway offer and stand a chance to save BIG on flight tickets for your next travel to India.

The post Air India Suspends Washington DC to India Flights from 1 September: Know Why & What are Alternate Travel Options first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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Aircraft and hospitality (both on ground and on board) are major drivers for Air India’s growth and transformation in the coming days. While the long-running global supply chain issues are delaying new aircraft delivery to the airline, several other issues have slowed down refurbishment of the existing Air India lounges and construction of new ones, including the flagship Maharaja lounge at San Francisco International Airport. However, something is better than nothing. The second Air India lounge in USA is under construction at SFO Airport, according to several reports.

Why SFO Airport for Air India Maharaja Lounge?

Needless to say, San Francisco is one of the primary Air India gateways in USA for nonstop flights to India. In the west coast US, Air India operates nonstop flights from SFO Airport to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. SFO-DEL service has daily frequency, whereas the SFO-BOM frequency will be 3x weekly and the SFO-BLR flight frequency will be 4x weekly starting in September 2025. High travel demand on these routes drives the boking of Air India flight tickets like hot cakes.

The upcoming Air India lounge in San Francisco (SFO) would be a dedicated, upscale space with maharaja-like service to premium travelers, as envisioned by the Tata Group.

Location of Air India Lounge at SFO Airport

At San Francisco Int. Airport, the AI Maharaja Lounge is coming up on the fourth floor of the international terminal where the Golden Gate Lounge and the lounge of China Airlines are located. Some travelers taking flights from San Francisco to India noticed a signage outside the construction spot for Air India’s much-awaited lounge facility at SFO.

Currently, Air India’s Maharaja Club members and premium passengers can access United Lounge at SFO Airport to unwind before their departure to India or during a domestic connection after arrival.

When will the new Air India lounge open in San Francisco?

Air India has not yet officially announced any timeline for the under-construction Maharaja lounge at San Francisco Airport. It is highly anticipated that the airline’s third flagship lounge (next to the Maharaja Lounge at New Delhi and NY JFK airports) may open to public in 2026, as a significant milestone in Air India’s transformation journey – Vihaan.AI.

Also Read: Best and Safest Aircraft in Air India Fleet for US-India Travel

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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.

Ananya had dreamed of this moment for years – her parents’ first visit to her in the US. She moved to Boston in 2019 for an MS degree. She is now working as a senior Data Analyst in New York. It took her years to plan their first trip to America, as she wanted them to travel in comfort on the flight where they won’t have to squeeze into tight seats. Recently, her parents traveled in Air India’s brand new Premium Economy from Kolkata to New York.

Flying in Premium Economy is no luxury. Rather, it is a matter of comfort for those who always made compromises and endured discomforts to save for their daughter’s education. Like most middle-class parents, they always preferred buses and auto-rickshaws over cabs while putting Ananya’s needs ahead of their own. Their day-to-day struggle did not go unnoticed by her. Hence, she had eagerly been waiting for the day she would be able to book premium economy flight tickets.

Ananya’s dream came true at Indian Eagle

With Indian Eagle deals for Air India flights to USA, her dream came true. Premium Economy offers a greater deal of comfort than Economy but costs lesser than Business Class. This significant upgrade comes with cozy seating, extra legroom, priority boarding, and personal attention to travelers’ inflight needs. For her parents, it was more than a travel experience, it was a matter of pride for them.

When Ananya called Indian Eagle customer support helpline, she was very clear about what she was looking for – the best flight deal. I recall her words, “I just don’t want my parents to arrive exhausted or stressed. I wish their first international flight to be full of joy, not fatigue,” said the chief ticketing officer of Indian Eagle Travel. We offered her the most unbeatable fare deal from Air India, one of our airline partners, for a nonstop flight from New Delhi to New York including a domestic connection from Kolkata.

Why Air India for Premium Economy Travel

One of her colleagues in the US referred Indian Eagle to her as a reliable travel partner for parents’ solo international travel. Our ticketing team goes the extra mile when it comes to booking international flight tickets for parents and family travelers. For Ananya’s parents, we recommended Air India not only for unmatched fares, but also nonstop travel, short flying time, brand-new A350 aircraft, premium economy comfort, etc.

Flying in the Premium Economy was their first such premium travel experience, from priority check-in at Delhi International Airport to smooth onboarding to the A350-900 plane, cushioned seating with extra legroom, business-class-like inflight dining, personalized service to their individual needs – all these made their first international trip nothing short of a dream as Ananya shared with us later.

Air India’s A350-900s, one of the most advanced widebody Airbus planes in the fleet of major airlines, have earned rave reviews for elevating passenger experience in terms of comfort, luxury, and inflight service. Indian Eagle best deals for Air India flights in all travel classes on A350s between New York to Delhi, and Newark to Delhi are available both on the website and on calls to +1800-615-3969.

Ananya further shared with us that her father, a retired schoolteacher, has kept the boarding passes safe as a cherished memento of her love for them. When they landed at JFK Airport in New York, she welcomed them with tears in her eyes. Precisely, this was the moment that she waited for long because, sometimes, a flight is not just a flight – it’s a way to say “Thank You”.

The post Indian Eagle Fulfilled a Daughter’s Dream with Best Deals for Her Parents’ First Flight to USA first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Indian Eagle Fulfilled a Daughter’s Dream with Best Deals for Her Parents’ First Flight to USA appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Many Air India flights between North America and India are no longer nonstop due to route adjustments with refueling stops in view of the continued closure of Pakistan airspace. The rerouting of US-India flights in order to bypass the restricted airspace has increased not only total travel hours but also fuel consumption each trip. Initially, Air India’s operating costs soared due to refueling stops, additional ground time, and extra landing fees in Vienna, Austria. If it were to continue, it would have strained the airline’s revenue by incurring losses in millions of dollars.

As cost-effective alternatives to Vienna, Air India has started using Mongolian airspace and taking fueling stops within India for some of its 71 weekly North America flights to and from India. This strategic shift is aimed at reducing the soaring operational overheads and cutting down on excess travel time without compromising passenger safety and regulatory compliance. Mostly, Air India flights from San Francisco to Delhi and Vancouver to Delhi are being rerouted through the Mongolian airspace.

Those who have Air India flights from SFO to Bengaluru in June or July 2025 should brace themselves for longer flying times, 23-28 hours. Some flights (180|2845/2603) from San Francisco have two pitstops – Kolkata (CCU) and Mumbai (BOM) – en route to Bengaluru, each pitstop scheduled for 1 hr 15 min. Currently, some other SFO-BLR flights by Air India include a DEL Airport layover stretching 1 hour 35 minutes. But Bengaluru to San Francisco itineraries have some relief for Air India passengers. Some flights (AI 175) are nonstop while some (AI 2661|173) have one stop (Delhi).

Among Air India’s US to India flights, SFO to Mumbai itineraries do currently have one pitstop – Kolkata or New Delhi – increasing the total travel time to 20-22 hours, as seen on IndianEagle.com. On the other hand, flights from Mumbai to San Francisco are being rerouted via Bengaluru Airport or Delhi IGI Airport. Some SFO to Delhi flights operated by Air India are two-stop itineraries with Kolkata and Bengaluru as domestic pitstops in India.

Air India’s Chicago to Delhi flights and JFK to Delhi flights are back to nonstop operations, as refueling stops have been removed from the itineraries scheduled in June and July 2025, according to IndianEagle.com, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians and Americans for over 15 years. But DEL to ORD itineraries (Air India 127) continue to have a refueling stop in Vienna for 1 hr 10 min, which makes the journey as long as 19 hours 45 minutes.

You can check out Indian Eagle last-minute deals for alternative flights from San Francisco to Mumbai and Bengaluru for summer travel. Our exclusive phone-only fare deals from Air India and other airlines are also available at +1800-615-3969 round the clock. Subscribe to our newsletter for significant updates on USA-India airlines that could impact your travel plans.

The post Air India Flights from SFO to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru may have Two Pitstops; Brace for Longer Travel Time first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Air India Flights from SFO to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru may have Two Pitstops; Brace for Longer Travel Time appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

All these years, Air India has been a preferred airline for family travel to India for its generous checked baggage allowance in Economy Class, irrespective of fare types. A once-in-a-year trip to home (generally) means heavy luggage, especially gifts for parents, close relatives, and friends. Even many parents visiting the US prefer Air India not just for nonstop flights but also its two free checked bag policy, as they pack in various homemade savories and other Indian essentials for their children settled there.

Not anymore! Air India’s free check-in baggage allowance on economy flights is now 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 is effective for new bookings made on or after 5 June 2025.

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

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.

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.

With the summer travel season nearing, Indian families abroad are gearing up for trips to India and looking to spend quality time with loved ones back home. To make their arrival and departure easier and much convenient during this busy season, Air India has launched dedicated ‘Family Assistance’ counters. These special counters are designed to offer on-ground support to families in real time, especially those traveling with children and/or elderly parents needing a little extra help or special assistance.

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.

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

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.

Inflight entertainment is the only pastime during a long-haul flight. While it helps adult travelers beat boredom at 35,000 feet in the air, it is a concern for parents traveling with kids. Children end up glued to the inflight screen for hours, watching comics and playing games within limited space aboard a flight. Being a parent, you probably don’t like it, but what other choice do you have when you are in the air for over 15 hours?

Air India partners with Vobble to keep kids engaged on board      

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

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.

Since the closure of Pakistan airspace to Indian airlines with effect from April 24, Air India has been rerouting its nonstop flights to and from the US, Canada, and the UK. The forced bypassing of Pakistan airspace has added fuel stops to Air India routes between India and North America, thereby increasing the total travel time for passengers. Most of Air India flights, US-India, are being detoured to Vienna or Copenhagen in Europe for refueling – which is causing departure and arrival delays by 4 to 6 hours.

Though Air India has streamlined its long-haul operations through rerouting, additional fuel stops are mostly impacting passengers with connecting domestic flights in India and/or the US. Chicago to Delhi flights, which are usually operated nonstop under 15 hours, are taking 18 to 19 hours, including stoppage in Vienna. Flights to Delhi from Newark and New York JFK, and flights to Mumbai from New York and Newark EWR, and flights between DC IAD and Delhi are having schedule changes, which Air India is communicating to customers.

“In the event of extended flight duration and significant delays, you need to plan your upcoming travel with Air India and have certain post-arrival preparedness if your itinerary includes a connecting flight from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru. You may have to wait overnight at the arrival airport for the connecting domestic flight. Knowing accommodation options and other facilities available at Delhi and Mumbai airports would ease the stress of wait times post arrival,” said the chief customer relations officer of IndianEagle.com.

 Accommodation options at New Delhi and Mumbai Airports

There are sleeping pods and transit hotels at New Delhi and Mumbai airports. You can rent out a sleeping pod or stay at a transit hotel by paying hourly charges. You may have access to airport lounges in the international arrival area through your ‘frequent flyer’ status with the airline, travel class (mostly business and premium economy), premium credit cards, or programs like Priority Pass (a membership program for airport lounges).

New Delhi IGI Airport:

New Delhi Airport’s international arrival area has several accommodation options, including the Holiday Inn Express at T3. This is the only transit hotel for international arrivals in Terminal 3. The best thing is that you can book hourly rooms at Delhi Airport’s Holiday Inn Express hotel to spend the overnight layover comfortably. The transit hotel accommodation comes with dining facility, medical help, and Wi-Fi.

Snooze at My Space offers convenient sleeping pods within the international wing of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3. Equipped with mobile device charging ports, Wi-Fi, and secure storage, the sleeping pods provide cozy space for rejuvenation and rest. It is a cost-effective accommodation option at Indira Gandhi Airport.

Mumbai International Airport

Niranta Transit Hotel & Lounge within Terminal 2 of Mumbai CSMI Airport provides comfortable accommodation at hourly rates. It has a restaurant with good dining space and offers free Wi-Fi. 24-hour check-in and check-out are available. You can access the transit hotel at Mumbai Airport after post-arrival customs and immigration clearance.

Are there sleeping pods inside Mumbai Airport T2? Yes, Aviserv Lounge sleeping pods are located in the arrivals area (landside). You can book a sleeping pod for yourself or your parents having a long wait time for the connecting flight at Mumbai Airport, wit/without lounge and shower service.

Is Air India changing aircraft requiring passengers to deplane and board again during a fuel stop in Vienna or Copenhagen?    

There is no change of aircraft during Air India’s technical stops in Europe on the way to USA or back to India. Obviously, passengers remain seated on board during refuelling of the aircraft – which takes as long as 90 to 120 minutes. The latest report is that Air India is actively exploring various alternatives, like having a technical stop in Mumbai or Ahmedabad for flights from New Delhi, to reduce the extended flying hours and operational costs.

My connecting domestic flight is rescheduled the next morning due to international arrival delay. Will Air India provide free accommodation? 

The airline is not bound to provide free accommodation and meals to international passengers on arrival if the international to domestic connection is extended at Delhi or Mumbai Airport, because travel duration extended by unforeseen events like airspace closure of a third country amid geopolitical tensions is beyond the airline’s control.

Can I recheck-in my bags for domestic travel after customs clearance even though the connecting flight is next day?

Generally, you cannot check in bags hours before a domestic flight. It is because domestic check-in is allowed only 3 to 4 hours prior to your scheduled departure for onward travel. You may need to wait in the transit area until the domestic flight check-in window opens.

What if I choose to cancel my Air India booking for longer flying hours in Economy Class?

You can choose to upgrade your Air India tickets from Economy to a premium segment for elevated comfort by paying an additional amount; however, it is subject to seat availability, aircraft types, and routes. You can call your travel-booking partner, Indian Eagle, to explore options for an upgrade with Air India. Or, you may go for cancellation.

Is Air India offering alternative options to passengers with confirmed flights?

The airline is offering to reschedule your flight given the current circumstances impacting the operating schedules, travel duration, domestic connections, etc. You can choose an alternative flight for the same route and with the same travel class within 3 days before or after your original travel date. It may incur the airline’s change of date fee and a fare difference (if there is any at the time of rescheduling).

The post Pak Airspace Closure Extends Air India Flights to and from USA by 4 Hours: Know How to Plan Your Travel first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Pak Airspace Closure Extends Air India Flights to and from USA by 4 Hours: Know How to Plan Your Travel appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.