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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Happiness is flying higher at the lowest fares! We are thrilled to announce that Air India, one of our airline partners, has rolled out discounted economy fares for select flights from USA to India. The fares starting as low as $374.50 are simply unbeatable and unmissable for a limited period through 30 April 2024. Hurry to buy your cheapest Air India tickets from IndianEagle.com, a highly trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in America.

The discounted fares are available only for one-way travel until 20 May 2024, from New York JFK and Newark EWR airports to major destinations in India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram. If Chicago is your origin of travel, you can fly only to New Delhi and Mumbai at the lowest airfare starting from $399.50. The sale is also available for Air India flights to Vadodara in Gujarat, and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh only from Newark Liberty International Airport.

Air India Fare Sale: Important details

• Booking period through 30 April
• Travel period through 20 May
• Booking available on IndianEagle.com
• Fare deals are subject to seat availability
• Travel should start from JFK, EWR, ORD airports

Those in Pennsylvania can save as much as $400 on Air India tickets per person if they choose NY JFK or Newark EWR as their origin of travel to India rather than booking a one-stop itinerary from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. The current lowest fare from Philadelphia to New Delhi starts at $753 for flights scheduled through May 2024 – which is nearly $400 more than Air India’s current promotional fare starting at $374.50.

What is the right time to travel to India from USA? When it comes to traveling back home, any time of the year is the best time. However, the right time is when you get to save BIG on airfares, skip long airport queues, and travel comfortably. The current Air India flight sale through IndianEagle.com makes it the ideal time for you to plan your trip to India from Chicago, New Jersey, and New York before the summer travel season peaks up.

The post Air India Flights Sale: Book Your Travel from USA to India at Fares Starting as Low as $375 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

After months of having weighed up the prospects of Bengaluru and Hyderabad as a new hub for international operations out of South India, Air India decided to bet on Kempegowda BLR Airport. As a significant milestone in its transformation journey to becoming a world-class airline, Air India announced strategic plans to make Bengaluru Airport its second hub in the country. Its collaboration with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) will not only make Bengaluru a primary gateway to South India, but also make the airport a connecting hub for international departures and arrivals.

PC: Indian Eagle

This move will give an impetus to Air India’s network expansion plans for the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The principal objective of developing Kempegowda BLR Airport into a premier hub is to increase long-haul air connectivity to and from South India over the next 5 years, other than high operational efficiency and elevated passenger experience. The hub-and-spike model that the new Air India hub would be based on will facilitate international departures out of Bengaluru for passengers from the southern parts of India, as well as domestic connections for international arrivals at Bangalore International Airport.

“The South Indian Diaspora in America, for instance, have been vocal about their wish for direct connectivity from Dallas to Hyderabad, Boston to Chennai, Atlanta to Kochi, Seattle to Bengaluru, and Chicago to Hyderabad. The upcoming Bangalore hub of Air India would help fulfil the wish, as flying NRIs to and from their home towns across South India via Bengaluru’s Kempegowda Airport seems more feasible than via the overcrowded New Delhi Airport which see hundreds of flight delays and cancellations due to intense fog during winter every year,” said Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats.

“The success of Air India’s SFO to Bengaluru service may have been a driver for Tata Group’s decision to set up a south Indian hub,” said the chief travel advisor of Indian Eagle, a leading air-ticketing partner of Air India. Evidently, the Tata Group of airlines including Air Vistara and Air India Express, is looking to capitalize on the high passenger load factor for Bengaluru by strengthening their presence at the award-winning Garden Terminal of Bangalore Int. Airport. “The airline-airport synergy is key to harness the untapped growth potential of this sector, according to Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson.

Moreover, a dedicated lounge for premium passengers of Air India and Air Vistara would be set up as part of the Tata Group of airlines’ upcoming hub at BLR Airport. The proposed lounge would be located in Garden Terminal (T2) that UNESCO has recognized as one of the most beautiful facilities in global aviation.

Do you think that Air India’s upcoming Bengaluru hub will help decongest New Delhi Airport and save you from the hassles of connecting through the busiest Indian airport? Share your view in the comment section below and subscribe to our monthly newsletter for latest updates that could impact your travel to/from India.

The post Air India’s New Hub at Bengaluru Airport to Open More International Routes to South India over Next 5 Years appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The Middle East airlines are targeting more US destinations where Air India is still waiting to make an entry to. Air India’s plans for direct flights to Boston from India have reduced into mere speculations, while Etihad Airways connected Boston to India via its hub starting March 31. Turkish Airlines added Detroit to its US-India network, while Air India is yet to fulfil Michigan Indians’ long-drawn demand for Detroit to India flights.

In the latest development, Turkish Airlines is launching service to Denver, Colorado in June this year. The first and only Middle East carrier to be operating one-stop flights from Denver to India and other countries, Turkish Airlines will compete with Lufthansa and British Airways, the biggest operators of international travel to Colorado. Both airlines offer their best deals for Denver to Delhi, Denver to Hyderabad, Denver to Bengaluru, and Denver to Mumbai flights through IndianEagle.com, a leading air-ticketing partner of Indians in America.

Turkish Airlines flights between Denver and Istanbul will offer further connections to New Delhi and Mumbai. Initially, Denver to Istanbul flights (TK202) will be operated three times a week; the frequency will become 4x weekly with effect from 14 July, 2024. In one month of the service starting on 11 June, the TK202 schedule will comprise Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It will give Indians of Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Arizona flexibility to plan their trips to India from Denver International Airport via Istanbul.

The greatest advantage of flying Turkish Airlines is transit via Istanbul, one of the best hub airports with free stopovers. Travelers having a significant layover in Istanbul can go for a free Istanbul tour or stopover. Check out our exclusive guide on the Istanbul Stopover Program offered by Turkish Airlines. Generous check-in baggage allowance (2 bags) is another advantage of booking Turkish flights over flying Lufthansa with one check-in bag.

Reportedly, Turkish Airlines will be operating Denver flights with an Airbus A350-900, one of the best aircraft in the fleet of major airlines including Air India, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines. A350-900 is a widebody, long-range passenger aircraft with a cozy economy travel class and a luxurious cabin for business class travel.

The post Turkish Airlines Adds Denver to Its USA-India Network for One-stop Flights via Istanbul appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Indians in the US do often look for travel companions for their parents arriving from India so that the latter can be assisted through immigration and other checkpoints on arrival at bustling US airports. High-in-demand wheelchair assistance is the other option that NRIs rely on to ensure their elderly parents’ smooth navigation through language barriers at US airports. Neither of the options – travel companion and wheelchair service – is easily available during peak season. Therefore, the excitement for a reunion with parents, most of whom do neither speak nor understand English, is fraught with apprehensions.

However, a welcome relief is on the horizon for non-English speaking travelers from India and other countries. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is conducting a pilot trial of an innovative hand-held device for real-time language translation and interpretation. The device can facilitate communication between travelers with limited English proficiency and TSA officers, thereby ensuring a hassle-free airport experience for the former and operational efficiency for the latter.

PC: TSA

TSA officers are currently using the language translation technology at Philadelphia International Airport. The smart hand-held device, smaller than a mobile phone, can translate messages and/or instructions into as many as 83 languages, including Hindi. It also helps TSA officers communicate to those with hearing difficulty and visual impairment, as it displays security instructions on a small screen and renders audio versions too. Precisely, the airport experience is all set to be transferred for both non-English speakers and the specially-abled.

If TSA officers need to check the carry-on bag of an Indian traveler who does not understand English at all, they can speak into the device which, in turn, will display and read out the instruction in Hindi. Similarly, the traveler can respond in English through the device. It’s that simple! The cutting-edge device can save up to 10,000 pre-programmed messages and their translations in 83 languages.

What other Indian languages, in addition to Hindi, are supported by the TSA’s translation-interpretation device? Although this is not specified yet, TSA assures that the device will add more languages and words to its library through regular software updates. Five such devices have been deployed at Philadelphia Airport’s busiest checkpoints across international terminals, A-East and A-West, and Terminals B and DE (which also operate domestic flights). The devices are rechargeable and portable.

Hope the device will be rolled out to immigration checkpoints at US airports once it proves to be viable in translating colloquial English phrases such as ‘pat-down’. The language translation device would come to the rescue of non-English-speaking senior citizens from India and other countries, who may face a sort of interrogation by CBP officers during immigration clearance at entry airports in America. It seems that a pleasant post-arrival experience awaits Hindi-speaking Indian travelers at US airports.

Recently, Turkish Airlines, one of the few best airlines offering transit stopovers, launched SmartMic translation devices at its hub airport in Istanbul. The smart device, well-versed in 52 languages and 72 accents, is aimed at eliminating the communication gap between foreign passengers and the staff at Istanbul Airport. It is anticipated that other airlines, like British Airways, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific operating flights from India to USA, take a cue from TSA and Turkish Airlines.

The post TSA is Testing a Smart Language Translator at US Airports; Good for non-English Speaking Travelers from India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

With back-to-back developments, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation is leaving no stone unturned to transform New Delhi IGI Airport into a global transit hub on the lines of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore, and US airports. A global transit hub is the crucial point where international airlines provide seamless connections to countries far and wide, and hassle-free transfer to connecting flights. With the increased passenger-handling capacity, four runways, expanded terminals, and DigiYatra technology (facial recognition) in place, Indira Gandhi Airport takes center stage in the government’s plans for developing an international aviation hub in India.

If reports are to be believed, New Delhi International Airport is looking to set up the US pre-clearance facility for outbound travelers to the States. Apparently, both the civil aviation ministry and Air India are supporting what could be a game changer for the airlines operating flights to USA from India and the economics of Indian aviation. If implemented, the US pre-clearance facility at DEL Airport would enable you to fly into America as domestic passengers.

It is anticipated that this move by the government would largely benefit Air India and its passengers taking nonstop flights to USA from Delhi. The US pre-clearance facility in India would, no doubt, be a highly competitive advantage for Air India over its rivals and in attracting US-bound traffic from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other neighboring countries. Certainly, it would help establish Delhi IGI Airport as an international transit hub for southeast Asian countries that, in turn, would fuel the growth of India’s aviation economy.

If the US immigration & customs pre-clearance ever become a reality for India, it would help Air India outshine the Middle East carriers who command a great deal of brand loyalty among US-India travelers. Though Air India is rebuilding itself as a world-class airline through a number of developments, from multibillion-dollar fleet upgrade to premium economy launch to inflight service enhancement, surpassing the dominance of Emirates or Qatar Airways in the US-India travel corridor will take Air India a few years down the line. Only such strategic moves as US CBP pre-clearance can accelerate Air India’s pace in competition with the rivals.

Currently, the United States provides CBP pre-clearance service at 15 airports in 6 countries, including Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; and Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and Victoria in Canada. Precisely, only Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi) has the US pre-clearance facility in the Asian continent.

“The likely US pre-clearance facility at the largest Indian airport in Delhi would be a boon for those senior citizens who are not comfortable or fluent in English communication. It would facilitate their arrival in the US as domestic passengers. With preclearance as part of the pre-boarding formalities in India, they would get to exit the entry airport or proceed to connecting flights without undergoing CBP and TSA inspections,” said the chief travel advisor of Indian Eagle, a most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians in America.

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Air India is nearing the take-off phase for more routes in the US-India nonstop travel corridor after the past two years of intensive preparations, such as fleet expansion, pilot training, inflight dining, customer service, new brand identity, and digital upgrades. If everything goes well from upward travel demand to regulatory approvals for Air India’s expansion in the US, Indians of Dallas TX, Los Angeles, and Seattle WA will get nonstop flights to India in the second half of 2024.

PC: Boeing

Earlier Boston and Los Angeles were the focal points of the Tata airline’s US network expansion plans. However, direct Boston to India flights may not become a reality in the near future to the dismay of New England Indians, according to sources close to the airline. Boston may have lost out to the recent increase in the weekly frequency of Air India flights from New York JFK, Newark EWR, and Washington IAD. The focus is shifting to the south and the west coast of USA from the east coast.

Texas’ Indian immigrants and the Southern California Indian community have been strong contenders for nonstop travel to India from USA for years. San Francisco is the city having direct connectivity to India for a greater part of America from the south to the west. Catching SFO to India direct flights is not viable for those residing in Texas and Washington State. Undeniably, the highly anticipated Air India service to Dallas and Seattle would help fill the demand-supply gap.

The likelihood of Seattle to India direct flights by Air India has rejuvenated the hopes of Indians in Washington, who were left disappointed by American Airlines’ constant deferment of Seattle to Bengaluru nonstop service. at the same time, a fare war between Air India and the Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines) operating one-stop flights from Seattle to India is not unexpected.

The launch of nonstop service to Seattle would follow the planned induction of Air India’s brand new A350 aircraft into international operations by mid-2024. Currently into domestic service across India, the A350-900 is a widebody aircraft with premium economy and capable of flying long-haul distance for 16-17 hours nonstop. Check out our exclusive article about Air India’s A350-900 offering elevated comfort in world-class travel cabins equipped with high-quality amenities.

With 31-inch seat pitch, economy seats are a breather for travelers aboard the A350. Reportedly, Air India may deploy Boeing 777-9 for its likely nonstop service to India from Dallas and Los Angeles. A fleet of new widebody B777-9 planes will join Air India starting from the end of 2024, as part of the US$34-billion deal with Boeing.

A glimpse of A350-900s to be inducted into Air India’s fleet

Currently, IndianEagle.com has best deals for LAX, Seattle and Dallas to India flights by Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airways, British Airways, SWISS Airlines and others.

The post Air India Plans Direct Flights to Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles; Good News for Indians in South-West USA appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

GOOD NEWS for Indians planning a trip to Dubai or looking to explore Dubai City during a layover en route to the United States! Emirates Airlines, one of our partners for best flight deals to USA/India, has introduced pre-approved visa-on-arrival service exclusively for Indian nationals, with effect from January 2024. With pre-arrival approval, Indian passport holders can skip queues for visa-on-arrival formalities at Dubai International Airport.

Difference between visa on arrival in Dubai and the newly launched pre-approved visa on arrival: 

Emirates Airlines’ visa-on-arrival service in Dubai is not new for Indians having a valid US visa or Green Card. It has been in place for them for months. However, the newly launched pre-approved visa on arrival facility is more efficient and convenient. It simplifies and quickens the visa formalities on arrival at DXB Airport. If the Dubai airport layover in your itinerary permits only a short city sightseeing tour, Emirates Airlines’ new initiative will enable faster visa processing so that you can spend more time in the city.

How to get Emirates’ pre-approved visa on arrival in Dubai? 

It is easy and simple. You can apply for it online only after booking Emirates flight tickets through Indian Eagle or any other travel agency. Emirates Airlines’ partnership with VFS Global Services facilitates the pre-approval process for eligible Indian passport holders. The UAE visa platform linked to Emirates.com outlines the requirements and clauses for you to obtain a 14-day single-entry visa on arrival.

• Log on to Emirates.com and navigate to “Manage an existing booking” on the portal.
• Enter your last name and booking reference number or e-ticket number to retrieve your booking details.
• Click the “Apply for a UAE Visa” link
• You will be redirected to the UAE Visa application portal powered by VFS Global Services
• Fill out the application form and pay the visa fee online.
• Go to the pre-approved visa on arrival counter at Dubai Airport

What is the cost of Emirates’ visa on arrival service for Indians? 

A single-entry, 14-day visa on arrival costs USD 63 per traveler, as per the official website of Emirates Airlines. Eligible Indian nationals have to pay this UAE visa fee during the online pre-approval process (mentioned above).

Emirates’ visa on arrival eligibility norms for Indians

Among passengers of Emirates flights, normal Indian passport holders with a valid US visa or Green Card are eligible for a pre-approved visa on arrival in Dubai. Both the passport and the US visa/Green Card must be valid for 6 months from the date of departure for the UAE. Emirates Airlines extends this facility to Indian nationals holding an EU or UK residence card with 6-month validity.

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Whose responsibility is it to guide travelers about what visa they require, whether their visa is valid, etc. for international trips as per their booked itineraries? This has been a bone of contention in the civil aviation sector for years. Invalid or revoked visa is a significant reason for boarding denial and travel disruption for many travelers booking best flight deals from India to USA and other countries. Denial of boarding over visa revocation had been a tug of war for over 2 years between an Indian couple and a major airline at a consumer court in Gujarat.

Early in January 2024, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Navsari, Gujarat gave the verdict in favor of the senior citizen couple and ordered British Airways to pay Rs 2.93 lakh to them, stating that it was the airline’s responsibility to check whether they had a valid visa to travel to USA.

PC: IndianEagle.com

It all started when 72-year-old Hasmukh Mehta and his wife were denied boarding to the connecting flight from London Heathrow to Atlanta, USA on 15 December 2021. Their son had purchased flight tickets to Atlanta from Mumbai for their travel on British Airways. On 14 December, British Airways onboarded them for the first leg (Mumbai-London) of the itinerary without any hassles. The trouble surfaced at London Heathrow Airport where the airline did not onboard them for the connecting flight as their B2 visa was revoked by the US government.

The elderly couple were issued a B2 visa for 10 years, from December 2012 through December 2022. They visited their son, who lives in the United States, three times between 2012 and 2018, according to news reports including the one by the Economic Times. Reportedly, their overstay on the visitor visa during their last visit to the US resulted in revocation of the visa, thereby barring their re-entry to the States, which they had no knowledge of until British Airways told them at London Heathrow Airport.

Consequently, Hasmukh Mehta and his wife were sent back from London to New Delhi Airport where they underwent the COVID-related arrival procedure (as India was battling the third wave of the pandemic then) before they took a domestic flight to Surat Airport. They reached their hometown, Navsari in Gujarat, after 58 hours of inconvenience, confusion, anxiety and hassles. The lack of correct information about the visa status not only ruined their trip to USA, but rattled their senile bones.

Subsequently, the matter advanced to the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (CDRC) in Navsari as the couple filed a complaint and demanded a hefty compensation from the airline, including the Rs 1.3 lakh Mumbai-Atlanta airfare, Rs 25,000 for the Delhi-Surat flight, the Rs 13,500 baggage allowance incurred during their Delhi to Surat travel, and Rs 50 lakh for 58 hours of physical as well as mental distress.

The defense lawyer of British Airways argued at the consumer court that the Mehta’s knew about their visa status and that they should approach the US Department of Homeland Security for a compensation. The argument was countered by Hasmukh Mehta’s lawyer who proved that the couple did not get any intimation about revocation of the visa from the US federal agency. He further questioned why British Airways confirmed their travel without checking the visa status and why they were flown from Mumbai to London in the event of visa revocation.

The airline’s lawyer put a defensive foot forward saying that the airline got intimation about the couple’s visa status after the London-bound flight carrying them left Mumbai. On hearing this, the commission said that undoubtedly, the airline allowed them to travel to London from Mumbai without checking their visa status and that the lack of pre-boarding verification showed “the airline’s carelessness”. Since the airline could not prove that the elderly couple had the updated information about their US visas, the commission resolved the dispute in favor of the complainant.

“At the same time, the onus of checking the visa validity does also fall on the traveler. They must evaluate their visa status to meet the visa requirement of the destination country before or after booking international flight tickets online,” said the chief travel advisor of IndianEagle.com, a leading travel-booking portal that America’s Indian Diaspora trusts for the best deals and service.

The post Elderly Indian Couple Wins against Airline for being Sent Back from Halfway to USA; Know Why and How appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

We do mostly purchase itineraries with a short layover (2-3 hours) for long-haul international flights between USA and India. If our connecting flight happens to be delayed at a transit airport, we feel out of breath. How would it be if you are offered a complimentary tour of the transit city during a long layover? Amazing! Isn’t it? If you get good deals for Turkish Airlines’ USA to India flights with a minimum 6-hour layover at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, just grab it. Turkish Airlines offers Touristanbul, a guided Istanbul City tour for free to its international passengers in transit.

Turkish Airlines’ Free Istanbul Tour for Transit Passengers

If you are flying Turkish Airlines from USA to India, and if your itinerary has a layover of 6 hours or more at Istanbul International Airport, you should not miss the free Istanbul sightseeing tour. Why not make your layover at Istanbul a travel diary full of ‘selfie’ moments at some of the historical landmarks in the city, rather than waiting for the connecting flight?

Visa Requirement for Touristanbul Program

Do I need a Turkish visa to get on a (free) tour of Istanbul while in transit? Getting on a city tour, though during a layover, means exiting Istanbul airport and entering the country; hence, it requires a Turkish visa. Indians having a valid US visa or Green Card (lawful residence permit), a UK or Ireland visa, or a Schengen visa, are eligible for a single-entry e-visa to Turkey. You can obtain an e-visa from Turkey Government’s e-visa portal or Turkish Airlines’ counter or desk at the departure airport.

Turkey is a visa-free destination for US citizens

US citizens are exempt from the visa requirement to visit Turkey as the country granted visa-free travel access to the United States. If you are a US passport holder, you are eligible for visa-free stay in Turkey for up to 90 days in a period of six months. Not just for Americans, Turkey is now a visa-free destination and transit stopover for Canadians as well. So, as a transit passenger with a US/Canadian passport, you can take advantage of the visa-free entry to Turkey and embark on a sightseeing tour during your long layover.

Suitable for family travelers, backpackers and solo trippers; the Touristanbul program covers all expenses for meals, transportation, tourist site entry fees and museum tickets. It is focused on Istanbul’s historical places, heritage sites, natural tourist attractions and beautiful restaurants. No advance registration for the program is required. You can sign up for Touristanbul at the Hotel Desk in Istanbul Airport’s International Arrivals Terminal. If you check in your baggage for the connecting flight, you can keep the bags at the airport’s baggage storage facility for a nominal fee.

Turkish Airlines’ unaccompanied passengers under 18 years of age are not eligible for the free Istanbul City tour, Touristanbul. There is something more exclusive for passengers of Turkish Airlines’ business class flights.

Bosphorus Experience for Turkish Airlines’ Business Class Travelers

It will definitely be a cherry on the cake for Turkish Airlines’ passengers who have got cheap business class flight tickets to India or other destination via Istanbul. Yes, your itinerary must include at least 7-hour wait time at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. As part of the Bosphorus Experience in the city of Istanbul, you can have an exclusive, luxury motorboat ride on the Bosphorus River and drink to breathtaking views of the historical landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, the Maiden’s Tower, Galata Tower and Topkapi Palace. Turkish Airlines’ business class travelers in transit can have an unforgettable tryst with the city’s unmatched grandeur and magnificence while dining at any of the waterfront restaurants of Çırağan Palace Kempinski.

Turkish Airlines’ Overnight Stopover Program for Transit Passengers    

What to do if your Turkish Airlines flight to India or USA includes connection time of 20 hours or more in Istanbul? You can sign up for Turkish airlines’ free Stopover Program for international transit passengers, regardless of your travel class. Passengers of Turkish Airlines’ economy flights to India or USA are eligible for complimentary one-night accommodation at a 4-star hotel. Those traveling on Turkish Airlines’ business class flights between USA and India will get complimentary stay for two nights in a 5-star hotel.

How to apply for free hotel accommodation under the Istanbul Stopover Program?

Once you have booked a US-India round-trip itinerary of Turkish Airlines through Indian Eagle, a most trusted travel-booking partner of Indian Diaspora, you are needed to follow a process detailed here. The airline will issue a hotel voucher to you after you provide your PNR/ticket number, valid email ID, phone number and your preferred room type (single or double) at least 72 hours prior to your departure from the country of travel origin. The stopover program can be availed for either onward or return trip.

What are the best tourist places to visit in Istanbul during a stopover?

Unique in geography and rich in history, Istanbul is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with an unmistakable old-world charm to it. The city is a treasure trove of historical, cultural and architectural wonders. Two of the unmissable tourist attractions you must visit during a Istanbul stopover are the iconic Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque – the masterpieces of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture respectively. Also, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Square, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern, and Kariye Museum are havens for history and architecture enthusiasts. The colorful Grand Bazaar is the ultimate hunting ground for shopaholics whereas the Bosphorus Cruise immerses you in the beauty of Istanbul skyline on laidback evenings.

I have a long layover at Istanbul Airport both during my onward travel from US to India and return trip. If I apply for Touristanbul, will I still be eligible for Free Istanbul Stopover while returning?

No. You can only avail one of the two free programs offered by Turkish Airlines. No passenger can apply for both Touristanbul and Free Istanbul Stopover for the same itinerary.

My flight got canceled due to operational reasons and I had to reschedule my travel. Should I rebook Turkish Airlines’ stopover program? 

Yes, you need to rebook the stopover program and free hotel accommodation service. Your current booking of Turkish Airlines’ free stopover program will be automatically cancelled in case your flight is cancelled due to operational reasons.

My US-India itinerary involves Turkish Airlines’ codeshare flights with IndiGo. Can I apply for the Free Istanbul Stopover Accommodation service?

Yes, Turkish Airlines’ US-India itineraries involving flights operated by its codeshare partner, IndiGo, qualify for the Free Istanbul Stopover Accommodation service. You can avail the free stopover program either during your onward trip to India or return journey to the USA.

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