India-based Airlines - AI J seat, fare and connection questions

I am considering flying AI after many years. From ORD, this is now the fastest way to India, and one doesn't arrive in the middle of the night.

(a) I recall that AI passengers tend to congregate in the aisles after a few drinks, and so I'd like to select a window seat. I was wondering if any row, perhaps the first row, is better than any others for climbing out of a window seat when the aisle seat is fully extended. There isn't anything helpful on the seat map web sites. I believe the ORD-DEL equipment is 777-300ER.

(b) I recall J fares around $4K, but now the third party reservations systems are showing $6K, and airindia.in is showing $5300. Is there any other source of discounted J fares on AI? I know most consolidators have bit the dust...

(c) Is there any way to tell which domestic connecting flights from DEL are 'international' in the sense that immigration and/or customs are done at the final destination? I know this is done on some flights but (unlike, say, arrivals in Schengen) there does not seem to be a consistent rule.

Many thanks!

I am considering flying AI after many years. From ORD, this is now the fastest way to India, and one doesn't arrive in the middle of the night.

(a) I recall that AI passengers tend to congregate in the aisles after a few drinks, and so I'd like to select a window seat. I was wondering if any row, perhaps the first row, is better than any others for climbing out of a window seat when the aisle seat is fully extended. There isn't anything helpful on the seat map web sites. I believe the ORD-DEL equipment is 777-300ER.

(b) I recall J fares around $4K, but now the third party reservations systems are showing $6K, and airindia.in is showing $5300. Is there any other source of discounted J fares on AI? I know most consolidators have bit the dust...

(c) Is there any way to tell which domestic connecting flights from DEL are 'international' in the sense that immigration and/or customs are done at the final destination? I know this is done on some flights but (unlike, say, arrivals in Schengen) there does not seem to be a consistent rule.

Many thanks!
Flights in the 100s have customs/immigration at the final destination, assuming it is all booked on a single ticket.

As for finding those 4k fares, they've been gone since AA anounced that they are dropping ORD-DEL. Book on AI.com for the best fare...

Thanks for the response...
Flights in the 100s have customs/immigration at the final destinationActually, looking for flights on makemytrip.com provides some information. For BOM-DEL, flights 101 and 310 were marked "check in at int terminal", while other flights were not. For CCU-DEL, flights 23 and 111 said "check in at int terminal" while other flights did not. For AMD-DEL, AI-11 said int terminal. So your rule isn't useful.

From DEL, none of the flights had any notation, presumably because T3 is considered a single terminal. So makemytrip does not help me determine whether I will bypass Customs/immigration in DEL when coming in on an international flight. I know I can call and ask AI, but this is not a reliable method.

Flights in the 100s have customs/immigration at the final destination, assuming it is all booked on a single ticket.

It's not always the case, one needs to be careful.

For example, flying ORD-DEL-BOM, one could be booked on a domestic flight for the DEL-BOM leg.

Which means you will need to clear customs and immigration at DEL and will arrive at Santa Cruz instead of Sahar.


(That said, the whole thing needs to be done away with. We really should some sort of policy, that, regardless of airline, ensures checks are completed at first point of entry or at final destination. All this international connector business really should go away).

It's not always the case, one needs to be careful.

For example, flying ORD-DEL-BOM, one could be booked on a domestic flight for the DEL-BOM leg.

Which means you will need to clear customs and immigration at DEL and will arrive at Santa Cruz instead of Sahar.


(That said, the whole thing needs to be done away with. We really should some sort of policy, that, regardless of airline, ensures checks are completed at first point of entry or at final destination. All this international connector business really should go away).
Well, that used to be the simple enough rule.. Apparently they have changed it :td:

As for finding those 4k fares, they've been gone since AA anounced that they are dropping ORD-DEL. Book on AI.com for the best fare...

i would be surprised to see those $4k fares as well now....

I am considering flying AI after many years. From ORD, this is now the fastest way to India, and one doesn't arrive in the middle of the night.

what is your final destination in india????if you are not concerned about the fastest route then you could consider egypt air....they have business fares for around $4k from new york....if you are flying from india then their business fares are a little over $2k for a return trip....great value for money....

Well, that used to be the simple enough rule.. Apparently they have changed it :td:

And so between Delhi and Bombay, for example, we have some flights that are "international" and some that are domestic. Besides the drama, it also means some end up at Sahar and some end up at Santa Cruz.

That's bad enough to start with, but I wonder what they do if in case of delays and missed connections.

On the positive side, AI had almost made BOM-DEL a shuttle type schedule, with flights on the hour every hour. I'm not sure if they've kept that.

And so between Delhi and Bombay, for example, we have some flights that are "international" and some that are domestic. Besides the drama, it also means some end up at Sahar and some end up at Santa Cruz.

That's bad enough to start with, but I wonder what they do if in case of delays and missed connections.

On the positive side, AI had almost made BOM-DEL a shuttle type schedule, with flights on the hour every hour. I'm not sure if they've kept that.

I've taken the AI "international connector" a few times and it is usually delayed IME. One time, I was just stuck waiting at the gate for about 9 hours. Had not gone through Customs or Immigration yet. They kept telling everyone it would just be 30 more minutes, every 30 minutes. :rolleyes:
So, to answer your question... they will do nothing, except make you wait at the intl terminal.