Transit travel to/from India under the 'air bubble' agreements [ends 27 March 2022]
Feb 3, 2021, 1:33 am
#691
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UK - Gold
Posts: 1,224
Feb 3, 2021, 2:27 am
#692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
the only reason is the timing....ai lands at 8:15am & the earliest ua can get me there is 9:40am....i have an arbitration taking place near iad that starts at 11am so if i fly ua then i need to get there a day earlier which is a problem as i have a commitment that will be extremely hard to get out of....with ai i can risk getting in on the same day....
Feb 3, 2021, 7:59 am
#693
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Feb 4, 2021, 7:33 am
#694
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
The reason why I was assuming 7 days was that I was spending 7 days in a 3rd country before coming to India. Would that not be the case? Or would the 14 days start again?
Feb 5, 2021, 2:49 pm
#695
Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 973
After any time spent out side India, the clock restarts for home quarantine (14 days). However based on my recent travel experience to India, the home quarantine portion is voluntary and not enforced atleast in many states especially when you arriving on a domestic flight after having cleared immigration at another city in India.
Recently on a visit to India, I self quarantined for 4 days after arrival took another test (just for my piece of mind) and with another negative test, did not feel guilty of not quarantining any further, but took the usual precautions (mask, sanitizers etc.).
Recently on a visit to India, I self quarantined for 4 days after arrival took another test (just for my piece of mind) and with another negative test, did not feel guilty of not quarantining any further, but took the usual precautions (mask, sanitizers etc.).
Feb 5, 2021, 3:04 pm
#696
Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 973
I dont know about AI business class, but on UA business class which I came recently, the only good thing was the lie flat seat. The meals, entertainment all were pathetic. Next time I will go on AI even if it is more expensive.
Feb 5, 2021, 3:27 pm
#697
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Feb 5, 2021, 11:19 pm
#698
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,340
I'm not sure AI has resumed full service as yet... and AI limited service is no way close to UA (almost) full service. When AI resumes full service in J one can chose what they want to compromise on - poor soft product on UA vs. poor in hard product in AI. Neither is really ideal.
Feb 6, 2021, 1:12 am
#699
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
i've used ua business class before & after the pandemic....i've also used ai business class before & after the pandemic....if given a choice i would pick ua any given day....both are not ideal but the ua experience was better both before & after the pandemic....
Feb 7, 2021, 3:04 am
#700
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,171
Atleast with AI you are mentally prepared to receive a minimal soft product and know the hard product. In October I was overprepared with my own bedding, PJ and food 
Current AI soft product on longhaul flights during COVID
UA is a mixed bag: could be on par with AI, could be better.
Current AI soft product on longhaul flights during COVID
UA is a mixed bag: could be on par with AI, could be better.
Feb 7, 2021, 3:27 am
#701
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
i will be doing the same....i've taken my own bedding on all the long haul flights i have taken since i started traveling again in september....on ai i will carry my own food as well....
Feb 7, 2021, 5:06 am
#702
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
AI vs UA - UA wins handsdown
UA vs NH/SQ - UA sucks!