Thanks to everyone who has advised me so far on the trip planning. I'll post my itinerary shortly, but have a question on the end-game.

After business in Chennai, we're being taken on a backwaters tour in Kerala. Our business-hosts are arranging air on Jet Konnect MAA-COK, a night in Cochi 18 Jan, then an overnight houseboat backwaters tour 19-20 Jan.

My return flight is BLR-CDG-MSP-MSN on 21 Jan, departing at 02:15.

Upon return from the backwaters tour on 20 Jan, will it be realistic for us to do Kingfisher COK-BLR at either 16:30-17:50 or 20:30-21:50, then check in for the Air France departure? (By realistic, I mean in terms of being sure to make my Air France departure.)

Is the later flight too risky? Does anyone know the reliability of these flights? While I don't relish the idea of 8 hours in the BLR airport (so far from town I wouldn't bother), I wonder if it's worth it to be on the second-to-last flight and still have a later option, rather than the last flight of the day.

Does Air France business class have access to the Oberoi lounge? If we arrive at BLR at 17:50, will we be able to check bags with Air France that early? Is there a good restaurant to sit for dinner, if we do spend the 8 hours there?


Thank you in advance.