Transit travel to/from India under the 'air bubble' agreements [ends 27 March 2022]
Nov 8, 2021, 1:18 am
#1456
Join Date: Apr 2021
Programs: TK E+, BA EC Silver, Vistara Platinum, JP Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 47
I need to travel from India to Turkey in January and I am presently booked on a TK flight on 03JAN22 from BOM-IST. In the event that the ban on scheduled flights is extended further, is there any legal way for someone to fly from India to Turkey under the air bubbles? I've read through all the air bubbles in detail but cannot see any that includes possibilities for travel to Turkey.
If the bubble hasn't ended then Nepal would be your best bet. There are quite a few options to fly to KTM from most major Indian cities. Just make sure non-Indian travelers have a valid visa and stay in KTM. There are good hotel options there. Hopefully you can take the time to see Kathmandu. And then from there you can catch a direct flight to IST on TK though I don't think that's a daily service.
Also see if TK can re-route your existing ticket from BOM-IST to KTM-IST since they have a flexible booking policy in the pandemic and India and Nepal fall in the same zone for them. That way you only have to pay for BOM-KTM as KTM-IST flights are mostly empty in Jan right now and you shouldn't have to pay any fare difference.
Nov 8, 2021, 3:12 am
#1457
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Yes, Turkish has cancelled all flights from India until April.
They were not willing to rebook me from Kathmandu (or on any other routing) - my only options were to rebook after April or refund so I chose the latter and we have booked via Nepal. The only remaining issue is whether Turkey still maintains their 14-day quarantine requirement on travelers from Nepal by the time January comes around - if so, we will have to probably shuffle via a different intermediate point that permits non-citizens to travel (Maldives maybe?).
See if TK can re-route your existing ticket from BOM-IST to KTM-IST since they have a flexible booking policy in the pandemic and India and Nepal fall in the same zone for them. That way you only have to pay for BOM-KTM as KTM-IST flights are mostly empty in Jan right now and you shouldn't have to pay any fare difference.
Nov 8, 2021, 4:25 am
#1458
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
United staff (at BOM airport) told me a few days ago that the AI EWR flight was not operating and they had an effective "monopoly" on the route...
Also, after 8 November, all UA flights are going *fully packed*, so I hope that AI is - or will be operating - so that I can get decent fares on UA!!
Also, after 8 November, all UA flights are going *fully packed*, so I hope that AI is - or will be operating - so that I can get decent fares on UA!!
AI is operating EWR-BOM. I'm already in BOM(came on UA) and my family is coming on AI during thanksgiving. I was looking to change my return on UA and the flights are super full ex-BOM(UA changed it to a 789 instead of 77W).
I've flown UA(and CO before merger) many times but now the 10 across on a 77W and poor meal make it a horrible flight.
Nov 8, 2021, 4:35 am
#1459
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
AI is operating EWR-BOM. I'm already in BOM(came on UA) and my family is coming on AI during thanksgiving. I was looking to change my return on UA and the flights are super full ex-BOM(UA changed it to a 789 instead of 77W).
I've flown UA(and CO before merger) many times but now the 10 across on a 77W and poor meal make it a horrible flight.
I've flown UA(and CO before merger) many times but now the 10 across on a 77W and poor meal make it a horrible flight.
I am fully aware of the 789 - flew the *last* 77w flight out of BOM and just back on the 789 - horrible in comparison to the 77w, my favorite aircraft...CO's old 772-ER before that - but *only* after they joined *A...
I asked a co-pilot if the 789 was more fuel-efficient, but he was *clueless* - he openly admitted he didn't know!!
I was informed by an FA on the outbound that UA didn't have enough type-rated pilots for the 77w as many retired, but the inbound FA replied regarding the fuel efficiency to me after I queried the co-pilot and said that for the winter months the 789 was more fuel efficient.
Note that DEL is still getting the 77w, but BOM airport staff are saying that the DEL flight will also be changed to a 789 shortly...
Btw, I had *both* the "Polaris" meal and the Y meal, but man - that Y meal is really ridiculously small!
Last edited by SuperFlyBoy; Nov 8, 2021 at 4:37 am Reason: Clarity...
Nov 8, 2021, 4:43 am
#1460
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Interesting that UA BOM staff not aware of situation...!
I am fully aware of the 789 - flew the *last* 77w flight out of BOM and just back on the 789 - horrible in comparison to the 77w, my favorite aircraft...CO's old 772-ER before that - but *only* after they joined *A...
I asked a co-pilot if the 789 was more fuel-efficient, but he was *clueless* - he openly admitted he didn't know!!
I was informed by an FA on the outbound that UA didn't have enough type-rated pilots for the 77w as many retired, but the inbound FA replied regarding the fuel efficiency to me after I queried the co-pilot and said that for the winter months the 789 was more fuel efficient.
Note that DEL is still getting the 77w, but BOM airport staff are saying that the DEL flight will also be changed to a 789 shortly...
Btw, I had *both* the "Polaris" meal and the Y meal, but man - that Y meal is really ridiculously small!
I am fully aware of the 789 - flew the *last* 77w flight out of BOM and just back on the 789 - horrible in comparison to the 77w, my favorite aircraft...CO's old 772-ER before that - but *only* after they joined *A...
I asked a co-pilot if the 789 was more fuel-efficient, but he was *clueless* - he openly admitted he didn't know!!
I was informed by an FA on the outbound that UA didn't have enough type-rated pilots for the 77w as many retired, but the inbound FA replied regarding the fuel efficiency to me after I queried the co-pilot and said that for the winter months the 789 was more fuel efficient.
Note that DEL is still getting the 77w, but BOM airport staff are saying that the DEL flight will also be changed to a 789 shortly...
Btw, I had *both* the "Polaris" meal and the Y meal, but man - that Y meal is really ridiculously small!
Ah, thanks for this, I'm actually booked via DEL on my return on 77W again and I thought maybe 789 would be a better experience. Also I noted from today BOM flight goes back to Terminal C instead of B(where I heard all pax had to stand in immigration line regardless of nationality/green card due to travel ban)
Back to my original query, looking for some feedback on how the AI flight is nowadays as we have kids travelling and its a daytime flight.
Nov 8, 2021, 4:49 am
#1461
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Ah, thanks for this, I'm actually booked via DEL on my return on 77W again and I thought maybe 789 would be a better experience. Also I noted from today BOM flight goes back to Terminal C instead of B(where I heard all pax had to stand in immigration line regardless of nationality/green card due to travel ban)
Regarding 789 - it's very cramped (in Polaris) and the overhead compartments come down very low and can impact your head - very different from 77w. One less lav. The seat didn't seem narrower in Polaris, but I only started flying after a long time...
Edited to Add: Apparently AI is only restarting on 10 Nov.....
Last edited by SuperFlyBoy; Nov 8, 2021 at 4:59 am
Nov 9, 2021, 5:13 am
#1462
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 208
Couple of questions before our travel to BLR (from BOS, connecting through LHR) commences.
- The RT-PCR test reports that we need to upload to Air Suvidha have the name, date of birth of the patient, the testing methodology (RT-PCR) and a negative test result. Is that information in the report enough for approval? Or do we need to find a testing center that adds details like passport number on it?
- In the self declaration form, it asks for " City of Departure". Do we use BOS for that or LHR as the flight landing in BLR would originate from London?
Thank you again for replying to the numerous queries people have posted here.
- The RT-PCR test reports that we need to upload to Air Suvidha have the name, date of birth of the patient, the testing methodology (RT-PCR) and a negative test result. Is that information in the report enough for approval? Or do we need to find a testing center that adds details like passport number on it?
- In the self declaration form, it asks for " City of Departure". Do we use BOS for that or LHR as the flight landing in BLR would originate from London?
Thank you again for replying to the numerous queries people have posted here.
Nov 9, 2021, 6:17 am
#1463
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Couple of questions before our travel to BLR (from BOS, connecting through LHR) commences.
- The RT-PCR test reports that we need to upload to Air Suvidha have the name, date of birth of the patient, the testing methodology (RT-PCR) and a negative test result. Is that information in the report enough for approval? Or do we need to find a testing center that adds details like passport number on it?
- In the self declaration form, it asks for " City of Departure". Do we use BOS for that or LHR as the flight landing in BLR would originate from London?
Thank you again for replying to the numerous queries people have posted here.
- The RT-PCR test reports that we need to upload to Air Suvidha have the name, date of birth of the patient, the testing methodology (RT-PCR) and a negative test result. Is that information in the report enough for approval? Or do we need to find a testing center that adds details like passport number on it?
- In the self declaration form, it asks for " City of Departure". Do we use BOS for that or LHR as the flight landing in BLR would originate from London?
Thank you again for replying to the numerous queries people have posted here.
No one checked Air Suvidha in India. You could write BOS as city as the only people who look at it is at the departure point where you get the Boarding pass for India.
I hope you and/or spouse are non-Indian citizens if flying BA(not sure if they are following bubble rules, but I didnt wanna risk it myself)
Nov 9, 2021, 6:30 am
#1464
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 208
Just a negative RT-PCR with name is needed.
No one checked Air Suvidha in India. You could write BOS as city as the only people who look at it is at the departure point where you get the Boarding pass for India.
I hope you and/or spouse are non-Indian citizens if flying BA(not sure if they are following bubble rules, but I didnt wanna risk it myself)
No one checked Air Suvidha in India. You could write BOS as city as the only people who look at it is at the departure point where you get the Boarding pass for India.
I hope you and/or spouse are non-Indian citizens if flying BA(not sure if they are following bubble rules, but I didnt wanna risk it myself)
Nov 9, 2021, 10:07 pm
#1465
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Nov 9, 2021, 10:44 pm
#1467
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UK - Gold
Posts: 1,224
"Travellers from specified Countries at risk [as mentioned in para (iii) above] will follow the protocol as detailed below: a. If traveller is coming from a Country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines (Category A):
i. If fully vaccinated*: They shall be allowed to leave the airport and shall selfmonitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.
ii. If partially/not vaccinated:
The travellers need to undertake the following measures: Submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, Home quarantine for 7 days, Re-test on the 8th day of arrival in India and if negative, further selfmonitor of their health for next 7 days"
Nov 9, 2021, 10:45 pm
#1468
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UK - Gold
Posts: 1,224
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/media...tober-2021.pdf
Nov 9, 2021, 10:57 pm
#1469
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Not needed I think if vaccinated..
"Travellers from specified Countries at risk [as mentioned in para (iii) above] will follow the protocol as detailed below: a. If traveller is coming from a Country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines (Category A):
i. If fully vaccinated*: They shall be allowed to leave the airport and shall selfmonitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.
ii. If partially/not vaccinated:
The travellers need to undertake the following measures: Submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, Home quarantine for 7 days, Re-test on the 8th day of arrival in India and if negative, further selfmonitor of their health for next 7 days"
"Travellers from specified Countries at risk [as mentioned in para (iii) above] will follow the protocol as detailed below: a. If traveller is coming from a Country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines (Category A):
i. If fully vaccinated*: They shall be allowed to leave the airport and shall selfmonitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.
ii. If partially/not vaccinated:
The travellers need to undertake the following measures: Submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, Home quarantine for 7 days, Re-test on the 8th day of arrival in India and if negative, further selfmonitor of their health for next 7 days"