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.

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.

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.

Not all news stories of travel nightmares in the US are rumors. Unfortunately, some are true. One such news of stringent security screening and harassment at US airports involves Shruti Chaturvedi, an Indian business woman who supports rural communities with business opportunities. She recently traveled to Alaska from India and had a harrowing experience as she was detained for long 8 hours at Anchorage Airport. All because a power bank in her luggage was deemed suspicious. What unfolded during her detention took not only Indians but the world aback.

She wrote about her ordeal on X.com, “Imagine being detained by Police and FBI for 8 hours, being questioned the most ridiculous things, physically checked by a male officer on camera, stripped off warm wear, mobile phone, wallet, kept in chilled room, not allowed to use a restroom, or make a single phone call, made to miss your flight – all because the airport security found your power bank in handbag ‘suspicious’.”

PC: instagram.com/shrutichaturvedii

This not just distressed her beyond measure but also ruined her trip to the US. This incident involving Shruti Chaturvedi is an eyeopener for Indians and others planning to visit USA on B1/B2 Visa. It has raised significant concerns over the intensified scrutiny and harsh treatment of international travelers at the ports of entry in Trump’s America. Reports of apprehension among tourists and visitors being frisked and interrogated for hours have prompted several countries, including the UK, Canada and Germany, to update advisories for their citizens traveling to USA.

The discovery of a power bank in carry-on bags is not too suspicious to detain travelers. However, the above incident apart, international airlines are dissuading passengers from carrying and using power banks on flights. Of late, several airlines have updated their cabin baggage policy to evade inflight fire incidents that power banks with lithium-ion batteries may cause.

EVA Air has banned the use and charging of power banks aboard flights starting 1 March 2025. Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot have also barred passengers from using power banks and plugging the devices into the in-seat USB ports, effective from 1 April 2025. Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Emirates have introduced similar rules.

Booking travel to USA from India? It’s crucial to stay informed about specific airline policies regarding power banks and other electronic devices. While no major international airlines operating flights to USA from India have bans carrying power banks outright, the guidelines have been tightened. Typically, power banks are allowed only in carry-on luggage and must not be used or charged in the air.

Can I carry a power bank on my flight to USA? 

Yes, you may carry in compliance of the policy of the airline that you are flying with. Most airlines allow power banks in carry-on bags, not in checked baggage. However, the onus of checking the updated airline policy is on you for hassle-free arrival in the US. You may be allowed to bring a power bank (with limited capacity) on board, but you may be barred from using it during a flight for safety concerns. Many airlines allow power banks with limited capacity, to say under 100Wh.

The post This Indian Business Woman Shares Her Ordeal of Being Detained for a Power Bank at US Airport; An Eye-opening Incident appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

With two major international airports scheduled to open in April 2025, India is moving towards the goal – a trillion-dollar economy. India’s aviation vision 2040 is to have more than 200 functional airports (at present, 157) and facilitate air travel for more than 1 billion passengers, both inbound and outbound, by 2040. Other than Navi Mumbai Airport, Noida International Airport is all set to go operational in April 2025 with initial connectivity to 5 international and 25 domestic destinations.

Noida Jewar International Airport

Jewar International Airport will not only take the passenger load off India’s busiest New Delhi Airport but also become the largest international airport in the country by the end of its final phase construction in 2040. Below are some interesting facts about Jewar Airport, which recently got its IATA code – DXN, where D and N stand for Delhi and Noida respectively and X implies air connectivity. The three-letter airport geocode assigned by International Air Transport Association (IATA) signifies the role of Noida Airport DXN as the second aviation hub in the Delhi-NCR area.

Jewar International Airport, when completed by 2040, will have six runways and four terminals- the highest at any Indian airports. Some of the international operations will be shifted from Delhi IGI Airport to Noida Jewar Airport, considering the ever-growing number of flights to New Delhi from USA and other major countries. Jewar Airport will stand out with Uttar Pradesh’s architectural aesthetics woven into its modern design, just as Chennai Airport’s new integrated terminal has embodied cultural aspects of Tamil Nadu and its temple architecture.

Ganga ghats inspires Noida Airport terminal design

Located in Uttar Pradesh where the mighty Ganga River is not just worshiped as a deity but also an elixir of cultural life, Noida Airport is having its terminal inspired by the local architecture. The carbon-neutral terminal building to be beautified with indoor plants will have a sprawling courtyard designed like a haveli (mansion). The flight of steps in the terminal forecourt is being modelled on the Ganga River ghats in Varanasi and Haridwar. The design of the wavy roof of the forecourt will reflect the flow of rivers in the region.

The terminal of Nodia Jewar International Airport will have red sandstone flooring with close semblance to the red sandstone architecture of Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh. Adding a touch of classic charm to the terminal building are reinterpretations of traditional jali designs (ornamental lattice screens) unique to the Mughal architecture.

Jewar Airport location, traffic handling, bidding 

Zurich Airport International AG, a Switzerland-headquartered company, has taken the lead to build Noida International Greenfield Airport (JIA), by outbidding its competitors. Zurich Airport placed the highest bid of INR 400.97 per passenger while Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Limited offered INR 205 per passenger, Adani Enterprises Limited offered INR 360 per passenger and Delhi International Airport Limited offered INR 351.

Jewar in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh is the location of Jewar International Airport, 72 km from IGI Airport; 40 km from Bulandshahr; 48 km from Greater Noida; 130 km from Agra; 60 km from Noida, and 70 km from Faridabad and Ghaziabad. The JIA will be easily accessible from not only Kanpur and Allahabad, but also other locations including Gwalior, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Shimla and Pathankot. Moreover, it is proposed to be connected to Delhi Metro via the Noida Metro route and via the Delhi-Faridabad-Ballabhgarh-Palwal-Jewar route. Additionally, a 31-km-long link road will connect Noida International Airport to the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Jewar Airport Station is also one of the proposed stations on the Delhi–Varanasi High Speed Rail project

On completion of all four phases of the construction by 2040, Jewar International Airport’s traffic-handling capacity will be more than 70 million passengers. With two runways, the first phase of the airport will handle around 12 million air passenger traffic which will go up to 30 million in the second phase and 50 million in the third phase and over 70 million at the final phase. Currently, New Delhi IGI Airport is handling around 70 million passengers, which is far beyond its capacity.

Jewar Airport cost, infrastructure, compensation

INR 29,650 crore is the total cost estimate for Jewar International Airport’s construction, which will be spread over 12,355 acres. The first phase of the construction costing a whopping INR 4,588 crore will be spread across 1,334 hectares and is expected to be completed in 2024. The second phase will cost INR 5,983 crore while the third and fourth phases will cost INR 8,415 crore and INR 10,575 crore respectively. The compensation package for rehabilitation of over 8,971 families from various villages in and around Jewar, which have been affected due to the land acquisition, is estimated to be around INR 3,000 crore.

The area and cost wise, Noida’s Jewar International Airport will undoubtedly be much bigger than the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The foundation stone for Noida International Greenfield Airport DXN was laid in November 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the project had been tossed around between various political parties in power since 2001. The long-term airport project will be completed in a phased manner through 2040. The airport will become operational as soon as its first phase construction is over in October 2024 with one terminal building and a runway. Its initial passenger-handling capacity will be limited to 12 million per annum.   

The post INR 29,650cr Noida International Airport Spread over 12K Acres Have 4 Terminals and 6 Runways appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Navi Mumbai International Airport, one of the two world-class airports coming up in India, proved its readiness for operations through the first commercial flight validation test conducted on 29 December. With Terminal 1 and the first runway, the airport named after late D B Patil will be operational in May 2025. A Rs 17,000-cr ambitious project of Mumbai, the City of Dreams, Navi Mumbai Airport will be progressively completed by 2032. The second terminal will be completed by 2028, and Terminal 3 before or by 2032 if things go as planned. Below are some interesting facts about D B Patil International Airport in Navi Mumbai.

PC: Adani Group

Navi Mumbai Airport Project Cost

INR 17,000 crore is the total cost estimate for the construction of Navi Mumbai International Airport. The ongoing construction of the first phase of the NMI airport would cost INR 6000 crore, which is anticipated to be completed and functional by mid-2025. The City & Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) allocated INR 3,420 crore for the pre-construction work. The compensation package for rehabilitation of nearly 3500 families in ten villages in and around Navi Mumbai, which have been affected due to the land acquisition, is estimated at INR 520 crore.

Navi Mumbai Airport Infrastructure

Unlike Mumbai CSI Airport, the second Mumbai International Airport will have two parallel runways measuring 3810m x 60m each. The runways will be 1550 meters apart from each other and have full-length taxiways on both sides. The terminal building of Navi Mumbai Airport will be built over an area of 2,700,000 square feet. The cargo area of the airport will spread over 1,000,000 square feet. A 90-m tall hillock at the Navi Mumbai Airport site has been demolished to prepare the land for runways and terminals. Major international airlines’ new-gen aircraft, such as Emirates’ A380 with Premium Economy and Lufthansa’s A350, operating business flights to Mumbai will be able to land and take off here as per the Navi Mumbai Airport plan.

Navi Mumbai Airport Design and Architecture

Inspired by lotus, India’s national flower, the design of Navi Mumbai International Airport has taken the aviation world by storm since the first look was unveiled on social media. Reportedly, a water terminal is being planned with high-speed ferry service from the Gateway of India, among the stunning features of the upcoming multimodal travel facility. The airport will be as eco-friendly as Cochin International Airport, the world’s first aviation facility powered by solar energy. Navi Mumbai Airport will be running on solar power.

PC: Adani Group

Navi Mumbai Airport: Traffic-handling Capacity 

Unlike Mumbai CSI Airport (BOM) which handles over 900 flights a day, the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport is supposed to handle 80 flights an hour and nearly 1900 flights in 24 hours. Currently, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, which is the main gateway for flights to Mumbai from USA and other countries, is the world’s busiest single-runway facility.  

On completion of all four phases of the Navi Mumbai Airport project by 2032, the airport’s traffic-handling capacity will be more than 90 million passengers. With one runway and one terminal building which will be operationalized in May 2025, the airport will handle 20-million air passenger traffic which will go up to 40 million at the second phase in 2023 and 40 million at the third phase in 2027 and 60 million in 2031. Mumbai International Airport (BOM) has been handling over 40 million passengers per annum (beyond its capacity) since 2016.

Navi Mumbai International Airport: Location

The area around mainland Navi Mumbai across the Mumbai Harbor is the location of Mumbai’s second international airport (NMIA). Deemed as a Greenfield airport, Navi Mumbai Airport will spread over nearly 2900 hectares (7200 acres), including an area of 1160 hectares for the construction of airport terminals. Navi Mumbai Airport’s distance from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is 35kms along the National Highway 4B which will facilitate primary access to the airport in the east. There is supposed to be a 10-lane road to the new airport terminal building. The Mumbai Trans Harbor Link (MTHL), a 22-km 6-lane road bridge under construction, will connect the new airport in Navi Mumbai with the mainland of Mumbai City.

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Indira Gandhi International Airport is gearing up for an infrastructural boost to match the heights of New York JFK Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Hong Kong Airport and Singapore Changi International Airport. Like these world-class international airports, New Delhi IGI Airport is all set to get an air train (automated people mover) to interconnect the terminals for smooth passenger transit. Yes, you read it right. IGI DEL Airport is the first Indian airport to get a dedicated Metro Train-like transit system for passengers’ convenience.

This (paid) AI-generated image is for illustration purpose only

At present, buses transport passengers between the terminals of New Delhi IGI Airport. The automated people mover (APM) between T1 (low cost domestic), T2 (old international terminal which will be converted into T4) and T3 (international terminal) will make passenger transit faster and more convenient than the existing inter-terminal transit shuttles. The air train project, which was supposed to commence in 2020, was shelved in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, a tender has been floated for construction of India’s first Automated People Mover at Delhi Airport.

The upcoming air train at Delhi IGI Airport will be a 7.5km-long transit line including 3km underground and 2.5km on ground. It will have four stopovers: T1, cargo terminal, Aerocity (the hospitality section), and a common station for T3 and T4. A technical study on the routing, along with cost estimation of the project, is in process.

With two terminals and three runways, New Delhi IGI Airport recorded whopping passenger traffic of 6.9 million in 2018. With the proposed expansion of Terminal 1 and the construction of the fourth runway, the annual volume of passenger traffic is supposed to be 10 million by 2020. With the increasing passenger traffic volume, the number of travelers transiting between T1 and T2/3 for flight arrival and departure will be growing. The annual passenger traffic will rise to 15 crore by 2025 when Terminal 4 will be operational.

Air train for New Delhi IGI Airport is an ambitious project. The construction of automated people mover under and on ground will cost up to INR 400 crore on an average per kilometer. The entire project will cost INR 2,000-2500 crore.

Recently, Delhi IGI Airport has been rated better for its security system than several other international airports, including London Heathrow, in the Airports Council International’s Airport Service Quality Survey. Delhi airport is the world’s second best airport, according to the same survey.

Delhi has good air connectivity with major cities in the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. There are nonstop flights to Delhi from Chicago, Newark, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Singapore and others. Indian Eagle, a leading international travel organization, books cheap flight tickets to Delhi from USA for economy class, business class and last-minute travel.      

The post Delhi IGI Airport to Get Inter-terminal Air Train for Rs 2000 Crore like New York, Singapore, London appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

In a major development for air travelers under the Biden-Harris administration, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a mandate for airlines to credit automatic cash refunds to passengers in the event of flight cancelations, significant flight schedule/itinerary changes, and other specific circumstances (defined in the mandate). Termed as ‘final rule by DOT’, the mandate requires airlines to honor passengers’ right to a quick refund in the below scenarios, as evident from what US Transportation Secretary said, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling.”

PC: IndianEagle.com

Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers are entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and if they do not accept alternative travel arrangement or travel credits/vouchers offered. As defined by the DOT rule for airlines, “significant changes” to a flight include departure or arrival delays beyond 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally.

DOT considers departures or arrivals from a different airport than the actual one booked by the passengers as significant changes to a flight. An increase in the number of connections (for instance, changing an itinerary from a one-stop flight to a two-stop flight) is also defined as a significant change to flights. If airlines modify an itinerary to provide connection(s) at different airports than the ones specified in the itinerary at the time of booking, passengers can refuse this significant change and request a cash refund.

A downgrade to the passenger’s ticketed class of travel, to say from business class to premium economy or standard economy, comes under “significant changes” to a flight, according to DOT. A change of planes, which makes a flight(s) “less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability” is also a significant change, and therefore, a must consideration for a refund against cancelation.

Significantly delayed baggage return: The DOT rule for automatic cash refunds enables passengers to claim a refund of their checked bag fee if they don’t get the checked baggage within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, and 15-30 hours of their international arrival, depending on the length of the flight.

Extra services not provided: The Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund the fee that a passenger pays for Wi-Fi, seat selection, or any other extra service – if they fail to provide the paid service.

DOT underlines a standard refund policy for airlines   

A standard refund policy for airlines operating to, from and through the United States is the other principal objective of the DOT final rule. DOT standardizes the refund process for airlines – which was otherwise cumbersome and full of hiccups such as making a formal refund request, filling out extra digital paperwork, waiting for hours on the phone. Below are the refund norms that airlines are directed to comply with:

Automatic: Airlines must automatically credit refund amounts without passengers having to explicitly request a refund in case of flight cancelation.

Prompt: Airlines must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due to credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.

Cash or original form of payment: Refund amounts must be credited to passengers in cash or whatever original payment method they used to book flight tickets, like credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not enforce vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger gives his/her explicit consent to accept alternative compensation.

Full amount: Airlines must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used (partially used tickets). “The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines,” said DOT.

DOT’s final rule directs airlines to quickly communicate to passengers about their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies in the event of flight cancelation.

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Does your US-India itinerary have a significant layover in a third country? Turning it into a pleasant sightseeing spree is easier and better than lazing around at a transit airport. With airlines offering transit stopovers and city tours, you can gift a mini vacation to yourself or your family during your upcoming trip to India this summer. While stopovers extend over 24 hours or more, transit city tours come in various packages at subsidized rates during a layover of 5 to 10 hours.

Some airlines like Turkish Airlines offer it as a free add-on, whereas some airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways offer it for less. Some airlines like Singapore Airlines offer guided trips to popular tourist sites within the easily commutable radius of transit airports. What makes major airlines’ transit city tours more tempting to Indians and US citizens is the visa-free entry or visa waiver or visa on arrival or easy-to-obtain e-visa to the countries that US-India flights of those airlines transit through.

Fly Emirates and Explore Dubai during a layover   

Dubai International Airport is the best of all transit hubs with layover tours for Indians booking Emirates flights tickets to India/USA. Dubai, a most happening city offering the Arabian hospitality, luxury activities, and desert safaris, can best be explored during a stopover of up to 48 hours. With a customized tour package of Dubai Experience from Emirates Airlines or its air-ticketing partners including IndianEagle.com, you can turn your stopover into an amazing mini holiday en route to India or USA. A stopover package offers hotel accommodation with 24-hr check-in and check-out, and exclusive deals for theme parks, water parks, desert safari, etc.

If a Dubai stopover does not fit into your US-India travel plans, you can go out for a short sightseeing tour given minimum 8 hours of connection time at Dubai Airport in your itinerary. You can visit the world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa and the nearby Dubai Fountain in the downtown that Dubai Metro provides seamless connection to from the airport every 10 minutes. Or, you can head to Dubai Miracle Garden, one of the most popular tourist places in Dubai, during a short airport layover.

Indians need a visa to tour Dubai, whereas US citizens can have a visa-free stopover in Dubai. Check our details of Emirates Airlines’ pre-approved visa on arrival facility for Indians with a valid US visa or Green Card.

Fly Turkish Airlines and Tour Istanbul for Free

Planning your travel to India or USA via Istanbul? You may be eligible for Turkish Airlines’ free Istanbul City tour or stopover program depending on the layover duration in your itinerary. Irrespective of your economy or business class travel on Turkish Airlines flights to India/USA, you can explore Istanbul during a layover of at least 6 hours. Those with a 20-hour layover are eligible for a complimentary hotel stay in Istanbul. Considering your layover in Istanbul, you can choose one of the eight packages of the Touristanbul program.

Notably, Türkiye is a visa-free destination for US Citizens. Check out our exclusive guide on Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul stopover program to know how to apply for it, what documents are required, what tourist sites to visit, perks of the program, details of free hotel accommodation, etc.

Turn Your Changi Airport Layover into a Free Singapore Tour

You can make the most of a layover at Changi International Airport, and that too for free while flying with Singapore Airlines. Changi Airport offers free transit tours to travelers with at least 5.5 hours of layover.  If you have more than 24 hours of layover time to kill, you might want to consider signing up for one of the Changi Stopover Packages. Changi Airport offers you free transit tours in three different categories: Heritage tour (runs twice a day); City Sights Tour (runs three times a day) and Changi Precinct Tour (runs two times a day). Any tour lasts 2.5 hours.

Each of the tours is unique in some or the other way. The heritage tour walks you through the history and architecture of the colonial era in Chinatown and Little India. Meanwhile, the City Sights Tour offers a much contemporary experience of the city and its modern ‘Singaporean’ architecture comprising magnificent sites like the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands among others. And the Changi Precinct Tour takes you to the heart of the city, immersing you in a unique experience of the local lifestyle. It also includes a visit to the quaint Changi village, which is a favorite getaway for the locals.

Our exclusive guide on free Singapore City tours for Indian travelers comes in handy with such details as eligibility norms, how to register, transit visa requirement, etc.  

Fly Qatar Airways and Add Doha Sightseeing to Your Itinerary

Among the best airline stopover programs, Qatar Airways’ Doha stopover will make your travel between USA and India more enjoyable at no additional airfare. More than 12 hours of connection time at Hamad International Airport makes you eligible for a Doha City tour; however, it requires one-night accommodation at a 4-star or 5-star hotel. Qatar Airways’ destination management wing, Discover Qatar offers cost-effective Doha stopover packages – Standard, Premium, and Luxury – at bundle rates starting from $14 per night for standard 4-star accommodation, $23 for premium 5-star accommodation, and $81 for 5-star luxury accommodation.

If your US-India trip with Qatar Airways cannot accommodate a Doha stopover, you can go for a short Doha sightseeing tour during a layover of 6-8 hours at Hamad Airport. Interestingly, both Indian nationals and US citizens can obtain a visa waiver on arrival at Hamad Airport if they have a passport valid for minimum 3 months and a confirmed flight ticket (s) for onward or return journey. Check out our exclusive guide on Doha stopover and transit tours, alongside our partner Qatar Airways’ best fare deals for India and USA.

Fly Japan Airlines and Enjoy a Multicity Stopover

Among the best international stopover-friendly airlines, JAL lets you book multicity itineraries from USA to Delhi and Bangalore so you can visit more than one transit city at no extra airfares. If your connecting flight is from Kansas International Airport, you can explore Osaka City, from where it takes 15-20 minutes to reach Kyoto by a high-speed train. With a Japan Explorer Pass, you can travel by air from one place to the other within JAL Airlines’ domestic network at much affordable fares.

If Tokyo Haneda or Narita is the connecting airport in your US-India itinerary of JAL Airlines, you can explore both Haneda and Narita City, during a long layover of 6 hours of more. Interestingly, Narita International Airport offers free tour English tour guides to travelers as part of the transit tour program. The English-speaking tour guides help you discover and experience the local culture and history within a budget. Though the tour guides are free, you need to pay transportation charges, entrance fees, and other expenses.

Check out whether Indians and US citizens need a visa for transit stopover in Tokyo/Narita and Japan Airlines’ best flight deals for India/USA.

Fly Etihad Airways and have Abu Dhabi Stopover for Less 

Abu Dhabi is one of the best transit airports with stopovers in the Middle East for passengers of eligible Etihad itineraries for US to India travel. Interestingly, your boarding pass for Etihad flights doubles up as the Abu Dhabi pass loaded with deals and discounts on sightseeing and dining in the UAE capital city. Since itineraries with a layover of 24 hours or more at Zayed International Airport are eligible for the Abu Dhabi stopover, advance booking of stay at any of Etihad Airways’ partner hotels (available at discounted rates) is a must. A single-entry transit visa to Abu Dhabi costs US$ 10.

Indian nationals need a single-entry transit visa for a stopover of 8-48 hours in Abu Dhabi, whereas US citizens and those having a Canadian/Mexican/UK passport can obtain a free UAE visa on arrival at Zayed International Airport (AUH). Rather than booking the stopover, you can turn even an 8-hour layover in Abu Dhabi into an exciting trip to Yas Island spread over 25 square kms. The island has the world’s fastest rollercoaster and one of the world’s best waterparks. Ferrari World on Yas Island is the world’s first Ferrari-themed indoor park.

Traveling on Finnair? Explore Helsinki during a Layover

Booking Finnair flight tickets to India or USA is an opportunity to explore Helsinki City in Europe. A layover of 6 to 24 hours is ideal for a sightseeing tour in the Finnish capital. Indian passport holders may need a Schengen tourist visa (C category) to enter and tour Helsinki during a layover at Helsinki International Airport. A most happening destination for art connoisseurs, culture buffs, and foodies! Interestingly, Finland is adjudged as the happiest country in the world. Your passport must be valid for 90 days or more following your departure on the connecting flight from Helsinki.

Fly Saudi Arabian Airlines and Get a 96-hour stopover visa 

Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, recently joined the ranks of airlines in offering a hassle-free stopover with a 96-hour visa to Indian nationals. Indian passport holders having a valid US visa or Green Card or a Schengen visa, are eligible for an electronic transit/stopover visa to Jeddah and Riyadh. The visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. Home to 6 UNESOC World Heritage Sites and the world’s tallest fountain, the Kingdom Saudi Arabia is a must-visit destination for history buffs, culture enthusiasts and art connoisseurs.

The post What are Top Airline Stopover Programs and Transit City Sightseeing Tours between USA and India? appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

On January 24 in 1966, the young India (post-independence) was preparing for the Republic Day celebration. It was a most fateful day for both the nation and its national carrier, Air India. The fatal accident of Air India Flight 101 at Mont Blanc in France, killing 11 crew members and all 106 passengers including Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha on board, reduced the enthusiasm and excitement towards organizing the celebrations into grief and bereavement across the country.

After its image was rebranded for the western markets in the beginning of the 1960s, Air India was operating in full glory. Bombay to London and London to New York were the most popular routes in the network of Air India flights then. Unaware of its tragic fate on January 24 in 1966, Air India Flight 101 using a Boeing 707 named Kanchenjunga took off from Bombay for London via Delhi, had two scheduled stops – Beirut and Geneva.

Picture credit: Homibhabhafellowships.com

At Flight Level 190, the AI Kanchenjunga was supposed to descend for Geneva International Airport after passing Mont Blanc in the French Alps. The pilot, under the impression that he passed Mont Blanc, steered the aircraft to descend and ended up crashing the aircraft at the 15,584-ft elevation of the Mont Blanc Massif. A miscalculation by the pilot in determining the aircraft’s position while passing by Mont Blanc – which was mainly due to a communication error between the pilot and the radar controller – had caused the tragedy of Air India Flight 101, according to the report by India’s inquiry commission.

The pilot-in-command of Air India Kanchenjunga, en route to Geneva from Beirut, knew that one of the VORs was not working. Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-directional Range (VOR) is a type of short range radio navigation system for aircraft to determine its position on receiving radio signals. As a result, the pilot miscalculated the aircraft’s position in relation to Mont Blanc and communicated his calculation of the position to the radar controller. On finding it an error, the controller determined the right position and sent a message to the pilot who misunderstood the ‘correction’ message.

Surprisingly, a similar mishap at the same place had reduced Air India Flight 245 into dusts on November 3 in 1950. The way both the aircraft – Malabar Princes in 1950 and Kanchenjunga in 1966 – were destroyed killing everyone aboard, has led to several conspiracy theories relating to the death of Dr. Homi Bhabha, the Chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission.

Just two months before Air India’s Mont Blanc crash in 1966, Dr. Bhabha made an announcement on All India Radio that they would make atom bombs to establish India as a nuclear power within 18 months. Dr. Homi Bhabha was the father of India’s nuclear program. Some historians suspect the crash of Air India Flight 101 as a conspiracy for the accidental death of Dr. Bhabha. It was preceded by the suspicious death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, on January 11, 1966 in Tashkent.

Hence, January 24 is etched as an ill-fated day in the history of Air India and a day of grief for the demise of Dr. Homi Bhabha in the annals of India. In August 2019, Prime Minister unveiled a monument dedicated to the victims of Air India Malabar Princess in 1950 and Air India Kanchenjunga in 1966.

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The metamorphosis of Indian airports into world-class gateways integrating both modern technology and local cultural elements is taking global aviation aback. The new integrated terminals of Indian airports are being designed as gateways to a new INDIA where tradition and technology are going hand in hand. Flying through the newly inaugurated Ayodhya Airport, the Garden Terminal of Bangalore Int. Airport, the new terminal of Gujarat’s Surat Airport, and T2 of Chennai MAA Airport is an absolutely immersive experience not only for NRIs but also foreigners.

Inaugurated on Day 2 of the New Year 2024, Tiruchirappalli Airport’s new terminal is as beautiful as the city, home to India’s largest architectural complex of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam. Built for a whopping Rs 1100 crore, the new integrated terminal of Tamil Nadu’s second largest airport (TRZ) makes a passage to the rich cultural heritage of the state through its highly aesthetic design, outside and inside.

PC: Airports Authority of India

Trichy Airport’s New Terminal is no less than a temple museum 

Trichy Airport’s new integrated terminal aesthetically integrates various cultural elements into its contemporary design. One of the most interesting features of the terminal architecture is its gopuram-like entrance that welcomes passengers. Inspired by the iconic raja gopuram (temple tower) of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli’s Srirangam, the ornamental replica dramatically rises against the sleek geometrical roof and the multi-layered facade of the terminal building.

What grabs eyeballs is the horizontal line of wooden carvings of Lord Vishnu and His incarnations including the Narasimha avatar inside the terminal, just like the intricate engravings found at south Indian monuments. The most prominent being the carving of Vishnu in the reclining position, which is modelled after the presiding deity of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. The elaborately sculpted columns supporting the terminal roof are reflective of the 1000 pillars with centuries-old sculptures of riding horses in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

PC: Tamil Hindu

From the roof to column cladding to accent walls, the terminal design pays homage to the magnificent temple architecture of the region. The 13 larger-than-life canvas acrylic paintings of the historical temples across Tamil Nadu, including Madurai Meenakshi Temple and Thanjavur Brihadisvara Temple, make the terminal feel like a museum. Traditional rangoli motifs, paintings and murals lend a splash of color and history to the terminal interiors, depicting local traditions, festivals and cultural heritage.

While the cultural aspects of the terminal take passengers on a captivating journey through the beating heart of Trichy, its eco-friendly features pave the way for a sustainable future, reflecting Indian aviation’s commitment to sustainability. The energy efficient building, which acquired 4 stars as per the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) rating system, has arrangements in place for solar power generation, rainwater harvesting, water and sewage treatment plants among others.

Tiruchirappalli Airport New Terminal: Cost, Capacity, Facilities 

Built at an astounding cost of Rs 1112 crores, Tiruchirappalli International Airport’s new integrated terminal building sprawls across 75,000 square meters, which is six times the size of its previous terminal. The bi-level modular building has a capacity to handle 4.5 million passengers annually – 3X of Tiruchirappalli Airport’s present capacity; giving a significant boost to Tamil Nadu’s third busiest airport (after Chennai and Coimbatore).

The state-of-the-art terminal is equipped with 60 check-in counters (34 for international passengers and 26 for domestic passengers), 60 arrival immigration counters, 44 departure emigration counters, 19 baggage scanners, and 5 baggage belts to facilitate seamless passenger flow even during peak hours.

A four-lane elevated roadway connecting the departure lounge on the first floor of the terminal with the Trichy-Pudukottai National Highway serves as a direct link for travelers heading to Tiruchirappalli Airport to catch their domestic or international flights.

The post Trichy Airport’s New Integrated Terminal with Gopuram is a Fusion of Tradition & Technology: Interesting Features appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

This week Michelin-star celebrity chef Vikas Khanna travelled on one of the business class flights from New York to Mumbai and tweeted, “Possibly, one of the most beautiful aircraft I have flown in. And impeccable service…..Yes, this is Air India.” His video providing a glimpse of the business class cabin that appears like a blue lagoon floating in the sky has gone viral. Since then, we have noticed a surge in traffic to the website of Indian Eagle Travel – for Air India flight tickets to India from USA. 

The aforementioned business class cabin is, in fact, a Delta One suite on five B777-200LRs that Air India has leased from Delta Airlines for nonstop flights from USA to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Three of the 5 B777-200LRs were inducted into the Air India fleet for an upgrade to inflight experience, before the Tata Group’s $70bn aircraft deal with Boeing and Airbus took off in February 2023.

Delta Airlines got its ten B777-200LRs lavishly refurbished for $100 million in 2019, but the pandemic grounded the fleet. Besides, the Russian airspace restrictions to American carriers including Delta – which proved to be a blessing in disguise for Air India – curtailed Delta operations on some long-haul routes. The Tata airline retained the Delta cabin products except the logo on the leased aircraft. An ex-Delta B777-200LR has 28 Delta One suites (business class), 48 Premium Select seats (premium economy), and 220 Economy seats.

Photo Credit: Delta Airlines

Those among our customers, who recently travelled on SFO to BLR, BOM to SFO, and NYC to Mumbai flights by Air India, loved the blue-hued seats and quality amenities aboard the leased aircraft. They found the blue upholstery not only soothing but better than the yellow-red ones on the other aircraft in the fleet of Air India. The ex-Delta B777-200LRs have Panasonic Avionics Inflight Entertainment screens installed in all cabins. The Economy travel cabin is roomy and has seats laid out in a 3-3-3 configuration. The leased aircraft has 18.5-inch-wide Economy seats.

USA to India routes with Air India’s B777-200LRs and brand new Premium Economy

The ex-Delta Premium Select is, currently, Air India’s Premium Economy with 48 roomier seats, each with 19-inch width. The booking of Air India’s Premium Economy tickets had opened first for nonstop flights between SFO and Mumbai, NY JFK and Mumbai, and SFO to Bengaluru nonstop travel starting from mid-May 2023. Now Air India will put a B777-200LR with Premium Economy seats into service for nonstop Delhi to San Francisco flights starting from October 17, 2023.

IndianEagle.com has the best Premium Economy flight deals including Air India’s for your much-awaited travel on the above routes during the Christmas holiday season. Indian Eagle is a most trusted travel-booking partner with dedicated multichannel customer support for Indian Diaspora in the USA. If you have any concern or need assistance with booking your tickets, you can call the helpline 1-800-615-3969.

Flight #2 of 2023
Sector: Mumbai – New York JFK
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Airline: @airindiain
Class : Premium Economy
Super comfy seat, Modern IFE, food at par with domestic business, finest of liquors, noise cancelling headphones, Tumi amenity kit.
Rating: 10/10 pic.twitter.com/ow580biGH3

— Siddhartha (@Sidd_MCFC) March 10, 2023

Air India’s inflight services in Premium Economy  

Air India’s B777-200LR Premium Economy is earning rave reviews for generous legroom, comfy seating in a 2-4-2 configuration, soothing interiors, modern inflight entertainment systems with bigger screens, TUMI amenity kits, delicious food, and high-quality noise cancelation headphones. Premium passengers are provided with two menu cards – one for lunch and one for dinner – featuring the tagline, Taste the New Luxury. The airline describes the menu as “a journey of culinary excellence with our enhanced inflight cuisine offering a range of specially curated dishes crafted with care and served with class.” Some passengers shared that they were given hot towels before each meal. Below is a glimpse of the menu:

PC: Twitter | Vinamralongani

Air India’s Business Class on B777-200LRs

The former Delta One suites are the Crystal Cabin Award-winning business class seats on Air India’s B777-200LRs. The business travel cabin that ticks all the boxes for value-for-money inflight experience and uncompromised privacy is driving the demand for Air India’s business class flight tickets on the JFK to BOM, SFO to BOM, and SFO to Bengaluru routes. The seats feature sliding doors, privacy partitions, and in-seat USB ports. It has restored the luxury and glamor of flying on Air India – which will touch the next level with more premium aircraft (as below) to be inducted by the airline.

2024 will be the year of Air India Premium Economy vs Emirates Premium Economy. Air India is all set to cash in on more Premium Economy seats with brand new six A350-900s which will join the fleet starting this November. An A350-900 aircraft has three-class cabin configuration comprising 28 Business, 24 Premium Economy, and 264 Economy seats. In our knowledge, the upcoming A350-900s will replace the outdated aircraft for Air India flights from New York to Delhi, Newark to Delhi, D.C IAD. to Delhi, and Chicago to Delhi. Below is a glimpse of A350-900s:

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