Is an Indian Visa Req'd to Transit BLR?
 

Hi FT!

I'm a US Citizen looking at the following *A award booking from UA:

PDX/YVR (AC) in Y
YVR/FRA (LH) in J
FRA/BLR (LH) in J
BLR/MLE (AI) in Y (not a *A flight/not part of award ticket)

What I'm trying to find out is if I need an Indian Visa to transit the airport in BLR? We will be there all of four hours (assuming on-time arr/dep). Both pax will have checked bags (scuba equip) and from what I gather from LH, no interline agreement exists between LH and AI, so bags will need to be claimed in BLR.

Can anyone clarify if: (a) transit desk exists, (b) visa is req'd or not, (c) does one need to claim bags/clear customs in BLR?

Many thanks! And yes, I already checked TIMATIC but the answer was vague and pointed to arrivals into India at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai.

-BankerManUSA

it would be advisable to get a transit visa....you can ask ai to help collect & re-check your bags in blr but its not something i would do....

LH & AI do have an interline agreement and LH agents can tag your luggage to the final destination if you ask them nicely. Once you arrive in BLR, don't follow the crowds to immigration but get hold of a LH ground staff agent meeting the flight and ask for assistance. The will find an AI agent to handle your boarding pass and LH should look for your luggage for you.

That's excellent oliver2002! Does it make any difference that I'm booking the AI ticket separate from my *A award? They'll be completely separate PNRs.

Any thoughts on the visa situation?

You can probably get by without a visa on your way to MLE, but if you're coming back via the same route, it may not work... I've had little success getting AI to interline bags on separate tickets. But for the route you stated, it should be possible..

Thanks MrBean!

Yes, I was looking at doing the reverse itinerary for the return. Is the problem there with the visa/transit in BLR or getting AI to interline to LH?

The trip is only three weeks away, so I don't know if I can get passports sent off for visas and back that soon...

If you have no way to get a visa, the ground staff will take of you, just make sure you have enough time on hand.