Help. Stuck in India. Need to get back to US
Jun 1, 2020, 8:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAX / SNA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Silver, AA Gold, United Silver
Posts: 241
Help. Stuck in India. Need to get back to US
Hello all - my friend and his family have been stuck in Bangalore and have been trying since late-March to get back to Los Angeles. He is on an H1B Visa, but his son is a U.S. Citizen.
They have tried repeatedly to get on repatriation flights with US government without any luck. He tells me that when Air India posts repatriation flights, they are often sold out within a couple of minutes. He also tried KLM/Air France flights through Europe, but those were flights have been restricted for EU & US Citizens.
Looks like domestic flights within India have opened up, so he can get to Mumbai (preferred) or Delhi to travel. I've tried to look at transiting through another country that has existing flights into the US, but not seeing any options. Any ideas to get him back to the US? Appreciate your advice.
They have tried repeatedly to get on repatriation flights with US government without any luck. He tells me that when Air India posts repatriation flights, they are often sold out within a couple of minutes. He also tried KLM/Air France flights through Europe, but those were flights have been restricted for EU & US Citizens.
Looks like domestic flights within India have opened up, so he can get to Mumbai (preferred) or Delhi to travel. I've tried to look at transiting through another country that has existing flights into the US, but not seeing any options. Any ideas to get him back to the US? Appreciate your advice.
Jun 1, 2020, 1:44 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
i've heard from a couple other people that they are unable to get a ticket for a repatriation flight so i'm sure they must be selling out quickly....since your friend's son is a u.s. citizen then perhaps the u.s. embassy would be the best bet....keep calling them....
Jun 2, 2020, 4:29 am
#3
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
WIth international air traffic to/from India set to resume in late June early July (Lufthansa have filed flights to BOM & DEL in late June) I would just wait a bit and catch a flight to the US via Europe in 5-6 weeks. EU countries will allow you to transit in Europe if you are on your way home. The fact that you are resident in the US and travelling with your US family member will allow you to travel.
Jun 2, 2020, 5:42 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
QR just canceled my late June booking. Things are getting much worse in India and international flights are unlikely. On the other hand, repatriation flights are over.
Jun 2, 2020, 6:12 am
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
I think there are intensive negotiations going on with the DGCA behind the scenes. My guess is that we will see resumption of flights in July with a few repatriation pax to/from India in the cabin and belly full of cargo below. The EU3 all have filed flights to India in their restart schedules, I doubt they would do that with some planning certainty. Cargo rates have skyrocketed and the demand continues to be high.
AI continues to fly all over the place under the repatriation banner of the MEA.
AI continues to fly all over the place under the repatriation banner of the MEA.
Jun 2, 2020, 8:26 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
UA has already announced their flights to DEL starting in July from EWR and SFO. No flights from BOM though in July. Not sure if they have started selling tickets yet though.
Jun 2, 2020, 8:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,582
OP: Check this out
https://zeenews.india.com/india/vand...87411.html/amp
https://zeenews.india.com/india/vand...87411.html/amp
Jun 3, 2020, 8:12 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
Jun 11, 2020, 3:13 am
#9
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Some insight on the negotiations going on:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/76276555.cms
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/76276555.cms
Lufthansa group (which operates airline brands like Lufthansa, SWISS, etc) have offered to fly ferry (empty) flights to India and carry passengers only on its outbound flights to destinations in Europe. A decision is yet to be taken on this matter," said the senior government official.
[...], there is a pent up demand for outbound international travel, especially among non-resident Indians (NRIs) who are in a hurry to go back either for personal or professional reasons.
[...], there is a pent up demand for outbound international travel, especially among non-resident Indians (NRIs) who are in a hurry to go back either for personal or professional reasons.
Jun 18, 2020, 1:26 am
#10
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
It seems LH has been granted permission to take regular passengers out of India: They operated LH762 to DEL on Tuesday without passengers and it came back to Munich full with pax this morning.
Jun 22, 2020, 1:58 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 368
https://www.lufthansa.com/in/en/flight-information
Although note that they are only for foreign citizens and Indians holding US GC or Canadian PR or are married to US/Canada Citizens.
Jun 23, 2020, 1:00 am
#13
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
The US DOT was alerted by DL that AI is operating regular service to the US under the repatriation banner while US carriers are still barred from flying to India. Now they have 30 days to remedy the situation:
Jun 23, 2020, 4:29 am
#15
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
If you see the tweets about it its gut wrenching... essentially AI gets the right to operate to various destinations all over the world at their terms and the GoI pretends they are providing some kind of essential service. All they need to do is lift the ban on international flights and things will return to a new normal.