India-based Airlines - Mumbai Transit: ZRH-BKK with LX + Indigo

Hi folks

Next week I'll be flying to Mumbai from ZRH with LX. I'll get to BOM at about 23:00 Then I have a separate Ticket on Indigo Air from Mumbai to BKK next morning at 06:30. I won't be checking any bags and both flights should actually be in the international terminal. Furthermore, I don't have a Indian Visa.
Is this going to be problem? Will I be able to just go to the gate of the Indigo flight to BKK? Is there a transfer desk at BOM airport?

Thanks very much for the help, I really appreciate your help.

Take care.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airlines-india/1280562-connections-indian-airports.html

thx alot for the link. I just can't find anything there about Indigo Air. I know that the connection time of about 7 hours is more than enough. only question: will i get to my new gate without having to clear customs and needing a indian visa.

I would not have booked this itinerary without a visa, because I highly doubt that 6E and LX have an interline agreement - 6E is a low cost carrier, and LCCs generally don't have too many partnerships. That means that you will have to pick up your bags at BOM, which will require a visa.

thx for your reply. What if I don't check any bags? Will it also be a problem? LX and Indigo don't have an agreement, i know that much.
Thanks for helping me.

thx for your reply. What if I don't check any bags? Will it also be a problem? LX and Indigo don't have an agreement, i know that much.
Thanks for helping me.

If you don't check bags, I'm sure they would be able to work something out if you managed to get to DEL. It won't be easy or convenient though, and you shouldn't expect any sleep.

There's always the chance that they will deport you back to Switzerland, and for that reason, LX might deny you boarding before you even end up at DEL - they don't want to pay for your return ticket.

If you were flying Air India, it wouldn't be a big deal at all - AI is able to bend rules quite easily. LX and 6E on the other hand won't find it as easy...

thank you PVDtoDEL. I just thought that you don't need an indian visa if your connecting flight leaves within 24 hours. This being the case I thought I could just deboard, walk to the next gate and board the Indigo flight a couple of hours later (or possibly before go to the indigo transfer desk). Am I totally wrong with that assumption?

thank you PVDtoDEL. I just thought that you don't need an indian visa if your connecting flight leaves within 24 hours. This being the case I thought I could just deboard, walk to the next gate and board the Indigo flight a couple of hours later (or possibly before go to the indigo transfer desk). Am I totally wrong with that assumption?

Yes, I don't think that assumption is correct. Normally, you have to go through immigration before continuing to checkin for the next flight... AI gets exceptions in some cases.

I haven't connected in BOM for years though (for obvious reasons) so I might be missing something...

I highly doubt LX will allow you to board in Zurich as far as they are concerned, your final destination is India and if you do not have an Indian passport or Indian visa, they are not going to let you board!

I just thought that you don't need an indian visa if your connecting flight leaves within 24 hours.

I think it is 4 hours, not 24 hours. But since LX and 6E don't have an interline agreement, you might need to clear customs and passport control in BOM and then check in with Indigo.

thx a lot. what about Jet Airways. They do have an agreement with LX. Will my chances be better there?

It will be far less headache if you just get yourself an Indian visa.

Your flying next week, you still got some time and most Indian embassy's issue visit visas in about 3 days.

thx a lot. what about Jet Airways. They do have an agreement with LX. Will my chances be better there?

It's not much dependent on whether they have an agreement or not... your biggest obstacle will be convincing LX to board you without an Indian visa. Once you get to India, you should theoretically not have any problems with the transit. You won't need a visa as you will not have to pass immigration check for your transit to a third country.

I assume you have a similar trip on the return? If you do, I understand your concern about the visa... it can be a lot of extra money to have to apply for 2 transit visas, not to mention the extra work/hassle.

Per TIMATIC, you can TWOV (Transit Without Visa) in India as long as your transit time in India is less than 24 hours. You can check for yourself at this site:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/

Just enter your specifics and it will let you know the requirements.

It's not much dependent on whether they have an agreement or not... your biggest obstacle will be convincing LX to board you without an Indian visa. Once you get to India, you should theoretically not have any problems with the transit. You won't need a visa as you will not have to pass immigration check for your transit to a third country.

I assume you have a similar trip on the return? If you do, I understand your concern about the visa... it can be a lot of extra money to have to apply for 2 transit visas, not to mention the extra work/hassle.

Per Timatic, the system the airlines use to figure out whether they can carry your or not, you can TWOV (Transit Without Visa) in India as long as your transit time in India is less than 24 hours. You can check for yourself at this site:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/

Just enter your specifics and it will let you know the requirements.

You can also try this site, which is even more detailed:

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

If you do try to TWOV, I would take printouts of Timatic info from those two sites just in case.

You don't need a visa. I have done multiple stuff like this. Your challenge will be to convince LX @ ZRH. Your second (bigger) challenge will be to find 6E personnel in the transit area of DEL. Since 6E is an LCC, they are not present in the connection desks and so you'll have to rely on generosity of Indians to reach their main desk. You will be OK I think - most Indians are helpful.

Based on my recent BOM transit experience (LX F -> TG C) on the same ticket, I would not even attempt this on separate tickets onto an LCC.

As others said - LX will probably not board you.

If you can obtain a web checkin boarding pass before leaving ZRH - then it may be better.

You don't need a visa. I have done multiple stuff like this. Your challenge will be to convince LX @ ZRH. Your second (bigger) challenge will be to find 6E personnel in the transit area of DEL. Since 6E is an LCC, they are not present in the connection desks and so you'll have to rely on generosity of Indians to reach their main desk. You will be OK I think - most Indians are helpful.

Why are you referring to DEL. The OP is transiting BOM.

Why are you referring to DEL. The OP is transiting BOM.

Even worse :)

DEL T3 is a much, much more efficient operation than BOM. Going through BOM will just make things harder...

No, it will not work! :o

You will require APIS data during OLCI (or manual check-in) for LX or any other airline bound for India. Indian visa info part among this data. :eek:

This is a pre-boarding requirement for all flights to India, and thus LX will not allow you to board.

Can the OP update whether he applied for a transit visa or if he was able to make the trip without a transit visa?

What passport do you have?

If, by chance, it is from one of the few countries that are eligible for a visa on arrival, you should have no trouble.