Airlines of India - Questions about Transit

I'm a first time International flier.

I'm taking the Air India flight from Chennai to Chicago and there are two transits one in Delhi and the other in Frankfurt. The flight time comes around 26 hours.

What am concerned is about the two transit stops. What are the advantages and disadvantages of transits?

Is it advisable? Or should I've to take a direct flight to Chicago?

Welcome to Flyertalk, firsttimeflyer1
I believe you will find the answers you seek in the FT "Airlines of India Forums."
Therefore, I am moving your thread to that Forum for discussion.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Even if you haven't flown, you've taken the train, right? It's always better to get a train that takes you where you want to go, without changing trains. But there is no nonstop flight from Chennai to Chicago. You have to change at least once.

Changing twice is worse than changing once, because there are more ways for things to go wrong, like planes being late so that you miss the continuing flight.

The probable reason you are on Air-India is that it was the cheapest alternative. You have to balance cost against peace of mind, but you are probably saving a lot of money compared to the alternatives.

If I remember correctly, AI flies from Delhi to Chicago using the same plane, with a stop in Frankfurt but you don't have to get off. That would reduce one stop, and probably it wouldn't cost too much more to go via Delhi. Higher-priced options are Lufthansa, British Airways and American Airlines+Jet, which will get you to Chicago with only one plane change.

If its all on AI, then in principle it should be OK, though I agree with the points that kalia960 has made. Also, is it absolutely critical to get to Chicago on time, or are you OK to live with some delays? If you are, then don't worry, but be prepared, would be my advice. Because it is AI, after all, is AI...you'll find quite a few threads and also posts by AI-"haters", but don't be discouraged...

Welcome to Flyertalk, firsttimeflyer1!

I agree with aniruddh77. If all goes smoothly, you will be fine while having saved a few bucks. It's during irrops (irregular operations) that Air India doesn't do well, and the chances of irrops (on any airline) increase with every incemental stop.

One benefit of AI over most other carriers with one stop service in the MAA-ORD market is economy class seat pitch. Most will have 31" of pitch (BA and LH come to mind), while AI will give you an inch or two more on many of its long haul segments. For me, this makes a difference.

Still, while I would prefer no delays to an extra inch of room, it may make you feel a bit more comfortable about having purchased AI.

Changing twice is worse than changing once, because there are more ways for things to go wrong, like planes being late so that you miss the continuing flight.



yes, I chose Air India because it gave me a cheap ticket price compared to other higher priced fligts like lufthansa and British airways and saved a lot of money too.

I'm more scared now. What if I miss the continuing flight if the flight I'll be traveling arrives late?

Also, is it absolutely critical to get to Chicago on time, or are you OK to live with some delays? If you are, then don't worry, but be prepared, would be my advice. Because it is AI, after all, is AI...you'll find quite a few threads and also posts by AI-"haters", but don't be discouraged...

Haha! Good tips and points from kalia960, anirudh77 and Babu. I'm ok if the flight gets delayed. However, hope it doesn't get late by more than 12-14 hours. It would then hurt my schedule there in Chicago.


One benefit of AI over most other carriers with one stop service in the MAA-ORD market is economy class seat pitch. Most will have 31" of pitch (BA and LH come to mind), while AI will give you an inch or two more on many of its long haul segments. For me, this makes a difference.

Still, while I would prefer no delays to an extra inch of room, it may make you feel a bit more comfortable about having purchased AI.


I've taken the AI domestic and also the kingfisher flight from Chennai to Mumbai, there was a lot of difference between both of them. Is that the same in the International segment of AirIndia interms of comfort?

Thanks for replying! Am already enjoying my stay here in this forum.

Haha! Good tips and points from kalia960, anirudh77 and Babu. I'm ok if the flight gets delayed. However, hope it doesn't get late by more than 12-14 hours. It would then hurt my schedule there in Chicago.

The point is that if you miss an international flight connection, you have to wait 24 hours for the next one (assuming daily flights).

If you are not in a hurry, it can be fun. AI will put you up in a hotel for free. I am not sure what happens in FRA if you are stranded there; the Europeans can be very nasty with Indian citizens without Schengen visas. There are stories of passengers spending 24 hours in the transit area.