another connection time question (DEL)
 

I am trying to book ORD-CCU on AI.

Orbitz will give me a fast connection time in DEL (AI126 1330-1510; AI764 1700-1910, connection time 1:50), but the price it quotes (for J) is much higher.

On airindia.in it only offers an itinerary involving the next DEL-CCU flight (AI22, 2015-2220, connection time 5hrs). The price is excellent, but it doesn't offer the faster option at any price. Orbitz quotes the same price for either flight, so I have no evidence that Air India is offering me the later flight because it is cheaper.

Any reason for this behavior?

Also, are the two DEL-CCU flights (AI764, AI22) different as far as immigration and Customs? If the earlier flight (AI764) requires entering India in DEL and walking over to the domestic side, the connection time might be too tight.

Many thanks!

Kalia (and others),
Sorry, I do not have an answer for you, but I do have a quesion.
Long ago, in another thread, you had posted about the Lufthansa 744 business class seat trick. Does it still work? Thanks!

Taking 764 will mean clearing immigration in delhi, picking your bags, clearing customs, walking over to transit and then checking them in again for a domestic flight. 022 is a flight from the international terminal and for that you just need to go through transit security in delhi whereas your immigration and bag collecting with customs will be in Calcutta. The time is tight for 764 but then it's not not doable.

Stick to 022.. I wouldn't recommend transferring terminals in New Delhi in under 2 hours.

both flights arrive & depart at the same terminal....

OK, thanks! I will book the earlier flight even though it means passing immigration and collecting/rebooking luggage. The actual walking distance from international side to the domestic side is short.

If I miss it, I have lots of time to get on the next one; it will not be my fault plus it is J, so they should take care of me. It won't be any worse than if I had originally booked the later flight.

I figured out how to make airindia.in give me the earlier flight; I have to book the outgoing trip as two segments. I suspect there is a chance that AI will move me to the later flight involuntarily.

are you sure? i used the multi-city option and it is giving me both flight as options, but only on the next day from delhi. not the same day.

Are you an air traveler or a time traveler? If the former, and you take any scheduled flight from the US, you will not arrive in DEL until the following day.