First time on AI and general thoughts about BLR?
Jul 27, 2011 | 6:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, Amex Plat
Posts: 575
First time on AI and general thoughts about BLR?
I'm going to be on an AI MLE-BLR-DEL flight in a couple weeks. I'm a US citizen, and this is the first time in India (my visa is all set). Can anyone give any tips about connecting in BLR? Is it generally a decent experience, or will it be chaos? I'll be flying in business the whole way. Is there an airside AI lounge for biz passengers? Is immigration/customs generally smooth? Is there a separate line for biz passengers at immigration/customs?
Any comments are appreciated!!
Any comments are appreciated!!
Jul 28, 2011 | 12:07 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: SPG Plat, AE*E, Hyatt Diamond, AAdv, BA Exec
Posts: 257
How are you getting to MLE? hope you are not doing US - India to MLE to India (to possibly US), since the 2 month visa rule applies. When you leave India, you have to wait for 2 months before returning.
Jul 28, 2011 | 12:38 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
I'm going to be on an AI MLE-BLR-DEL flight in a couple weeks. I'm a US citizen, and this is the first time in India (my visa is all set). Can anyone give any tips about connecting in BLR? Is it generally a decent experience, or will it be chaos? I'll be flying in business the whole way. Is there an airside AI lounge for biz passengers? Is immigration/customs generally smooth? Is there a separate line for biz passengers at immigration/customs?
Any comments are appreciated!!
Any comments are appreciated!!
Jul 28, 2011 | 4:25 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, Amex Plat
Posts: 575
No issues here. Going through DOH in the way to MLE. It would have actually made my life easier if I could have connected in India while going to MLE, but I didn't want any visa issues!
Jul 28, 2011 | 8:21 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
I am told short visits to neighbouring countries are accommodated provided your itinerary includes it when you enter India.
Aug 1, 2011 | 12:10 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,223
BLR is a fine medium-sized modern airport. You should have no airport issues. Good luck.
(Changed from "small" to "medium" in light of following posts.
)
(Changed from "small" to "medium" in light of following posts.
)
Last edited by aktchi; Aug 3, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Aug 3, 2011 | 12:58 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Aug 3, 2011 | 2:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
Relative sizes (2010) :
Atlanta : 89 million
Heathrow : 64 million
Hong Kong : 50 million
Sydney : 35 million
Mumbai : 28 million
LaGuardia : 24 million
Stansted : 18 million
Athens : 15 million
Bangalore : 12 million
Hamburg : 11 million
Cincinnati : 8 million
Goa : 3 million
Mangalore : 850,000
Aug 3, 2011 | 4:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: cbr
Programs: QF WP (OWE) / LTG (LT OWS) | Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 4,971
Indeed, 12 million pax per year is not anything to sneeze at.
Relative sizes (2010) :
Atlanta : 89 million
Heathrow : 64 million
Hong Kong : 50 million
Sydney : 35 million
Mumbai : 28 million
LaGuardia : 24 million
Stansted : 18 million
Athens : 15 million
Bangalore : 12 million
Hamburg : 11 million
Cincinnati : 8 million
Goa : 3 million
Mangalore : 850,000
Relative sizes (2010) :
Atlanta : 89 million
Heathrow : 64 million
Hong Kong : 50 million
Sydney : 35 million
Mumbai : 28 million
LaGuardia : 24 million
Stansted : 18 million
Athens : 15 million
Bangalore : 12 million
Hamburg : 11 million
Cincinnati : 8 million
Goa : 3 million
Mangalore : 850,000
Aug 3, 2011 | 10:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: Lost count
Posts: 248
OP: are you on Business or Tourist Visa?
Aug 4, 2011 | 4:19 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, Amex Plat
Posts: 575
Tourist Visa. My read of all the regs is that I would be ok transiting in India before actually entring the country so long as I could show my complete itinierary. That being said, I didn't want to take the chance.
Aug 4, 2011 | 4:26 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
you can transit as often as you like....unless you go through immigration it is not considered entering the country....