dip2007

Yes i am okay with this hassle if i can keep my flight .

xobile

Happy to help. It pains me when people on this board and elsewhere say don't risk it especially with seniors, just take AI... When I've sent multiple passengers to and from India, seniors in wheelchairs via Dubai in the past few months. And in response to galaticos, QR verbally confirmed over the phone that they have no issues taking passengers via Doha to or from the US to India, and knows many passengers who did.


The air bubble thing doesn't actually seem to have been a barrier at all to Qatar or Emirates these past few months, just EY for whatever reason. Also the EK flight last week from Chicago was empty enough for the two seniors to each get their own 4 seat row. You certainly won't find that on AI with their 300 pax loads (which is why EK was empty, regular folk won't know better unfortunately....these are probably the same people who don't do online check in which is why that designated line is always empty....)

oliver2002

The DGCA just extended the bubble bs for another month:


This indicates that the current surge played into the hands of Puri not to restore normalcy with the summer schedule starting next week. I'm curious if they will allow for the frequencies to Europe and the ME3 to go up again. If you recall the number of 'allowed' flights for the ME3 and EU3 was heavily curtailed at the beginning of the W20-21 schedule.

galaticos

they have also loaded VBM schedule till 28 OCT 2021 😢

galaticos

thanks for the feedback! Will attempt QR next month as non-work trip and therefore not schedule bound!

galaticos

QR Update - 24 March - my mother tried to book IAH-DOH-BOM for 31st May 2021... QR refused to issue ticket saying ban on US pax by Indian govt..

swordmaster100

By refused, do you mean you could not complete the checkout process on QR website?
I just got EK tickets issued via an agent who uses Galileo. Roundtrip India - USA - India, May to Aug.

galaticos

website couldn’t price.. called QR desk and they couldn’t book (prohibited was the word agent used)

maybe it’s something to do with not able to book ex US

i too was able to book India-US-India for April on QR last week.. but that was before DGCA announcement - not sure if they will cancel my ticket now

Toronto1

I just made a one way booking from COK to YYZ on Air Canada website , for early May, 2 Canadian citizens(1 infant) and 1 PR. Its a single ticket issued by AC.

COK-DOH on Qatar airways QR517 , 2.5 hour transit.
DOH -YYZ on Air Canada AC59

I just read https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/...nsport-bubblesA. From India to Qatar:

i. Qatari nationals;

ii. Any Indian national or national of Nepal or Bhutan destined for Qatar or any country in South America or Africa only and holding a valid visa of the destination country. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian/Nepalese/Bhutanese nationals to enter the destination country before issue of ticket/boarding pass to the Indian/Nepalese/Bhutanese passenger; and

iii. Foreign nationals destined for South America or Africa only and transiting through Qatar.

Does this mean I will be denied boarding at COK, as we cannot use Qatar as a transit point ?

itengineer

if they strictly adhere to the rules, you will not be allowed to fly

xobile

Strange.. I just tried that booking and could get to the end of it for $1400 one way on the day. Perhaps try on June 1 which is the day after the next air bubble cycle. I'm not sure what QR is talking about, there is no ban on US pax. Just restrictions on who can come like OCIs and Indian citizens. Have you tried Emirates?

TravellingMan

AC sold you a single ticket, so I will not worry too much about being denied boarding at COK as you can always get a refund or get re-routed accordingly. Plenty of things can change between now and May 2nd, so I will stay positive. At least you are not having to spend time in Delhi trying to connect.

oliver2002

The airlines will sell you tickets, but it is your responsibility to figure out if the current health and visa restrictions apply to you...

abhilife2001

OP is already taking a AC flight from DOH, so might as well take an AC flight from DEL. Instead of COK - DOH they will travel COK-DEL and frankly transit in Delhi is not so bad if the connection is not very long.

TravellingMan

Let me recollect how it went in Delhi the last time-

1. The international transfer section was backed up with only 2 immigration agents staffing it and plenty of wheelchairs and "VIPs" cutting in line. It was suggested to go to the "other" immigration line.
2, For the "other" immigration line you have to walk out of the terminal and go up to the departure area and enter again.
3. There were huge lines outside the departure terminal to enter through.
4. You have to show your ticket/BP and ID up on the glass window for someone to OK it.
5. Then after you enter the terminal you have to now stand in another big line to get past immigration. This is like placing bets that the officer servicing your area does not get up and walk away or someone else shows up to add to the staffing.
6. Then security #1
7. Then closer to the gate security #2.

With the above, I would gladly take a chance with trying to fly out of my home airport on ME carriers which would be the following:

1. Ticket and ID check at terminal door
2. Check in for the flight
3. Immigration
4. Security

There are hardly any international flights these days, so the entire process is quite fast.