It was time to head home from Bhutan and I had booked a rather complicated route back on three separate tickets. While trying to check in for my Bhutan Airlines flight to Delhi, I encountered an Indian visa issue...
Tragedy At Delhi Airport: Death And Injury After Roof Of Terminal Collapses
A roof collapsed early this morning in Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1 after torrential rains battered the Indian capital. Tragically, death and injury resulted. The incident is not only a tragedy, but a warning to us all. Roof...
Lufthansa Duty Manager Calls Security On Passenger Who Refuses To Accept Transit Visa Problem
A passenger was denied boarding at the Lufthansa check-in counter in Delhi for a visa issue. A Lufthansa duty manager responded to her persistent request for an explanation by calling security on her. But the real question I have...
Qatar Airways CEO Laments India’s Aviation Protectionism
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker laments what he calls the protectionist nature of the Indian aviation industry, saying the true victims are the Indian middle class. Qatar Airways CEO On Indian Aviation Speaking on CNN, the veteran chief...
Cool: New Air Canada Fifth Freedom Flight From London To Mumbai
In addition to its new Bangkok service, Air Canada also announced it would serve Mumbai, India. But rather than fly nonstop from Toronto, the flight will stop in London in each direction, offering a cool new Fifth Freedom route....
United Airlines Raises Baggage Fees To India – Will We See This On Other Routes?
Facing the double whammy of restricted routings over Russian airspace and higher fuel prices, United has substantially raised checked bag fees on its India flights. United says the move is only temporary. But will we see higher baggage fees...
United Airlines Suspends Chicago – Delhi, Delays San Francisco – Bangalore Service
As India faces the worst brunt of the pandemic, lockdowns are returning and international travel restrictions are appearing. While United will maintain three India routes, it will suspend one and delay the start of another. United Airlines Suspends, Delays...
USA Introduces Partial India Travel Ban: Who Is Exempt?
The United States will ban some travel from India starting on May 4, 2021, a move that is long overdue in light of the USA’s use of travel bans as a tool to slow the spread of COVID-19. Even...
Emirates Suspends Service From India
UPDATE: An earlier version of this story incorrect reported that Emirates was suspending all passenger service to India. From Sunday, Emirates will suspend passenger service from India to Dubai for 10 days as Indian coronavirus cases continue their disturbing...
How To Reconcile IndiGo’s Massive Airbus A320neo Order
If you wondered why IndiGo placed a firm order for 300 Airbus jets this week, start by looking at India’s aggressive five-year airport growth plan. IndiGo’s order of 300 A320neo family aircraft is huge. Not only is it huge...
My Sunday In Chennai
My Sunday in Chennai centered on religion and worship of various kinds. I started the day attending church at the beautiful St. Andrew’s Scottish Presbyterian Church in the heart of Chennai, known locally as the Kirk (church in Scottish)....
United Airlines Suspends All India Service Until September 1st
United Airlines is extending the suspension of both of its India routes until at least September 1st. First it was the Pakistani airspace closure. Then it was saber-rattling over Iran. Then the Federal Aviation Administration banned flying in Iranian...
My Best Meal In India
As tempting as it was to remain within the confines of our sprawling resort, my wife and I were certainly glad we walked down the beach in Goa. The meal we found was nothing short of spectacular. Sitting on...
My Wife Is A Celebrity In India
Hyderabad, India is a great city for many reasons. Beautiful architecture. Great food. Warm hospitality. Oh yeah, and my wife is apparently a celebrity there. Heidi and I were exploring the city and stopped at the Charminar, a beautiful...
United Airlines Extends New Delhi Service Cancellation
United is extending the suspension of service to New Delhi until July. A flight attendant just forwarded me the following update: As we previously reported, seasonal winds and the continued closure of Pakistani airspace have caused us to suspend...
What The Heck Is Lufthansa Thinking?
When is a bad seat better than no seat at all? You can soon fly eight hours aboard a Lufthansa A319 between Frankfurt and Pune. I can think of much better ways to torture yourself. Some background, though. Lufthansa...
Qatar Airways’ Strategic Plan For India On Hold
Qatar Airways’ plan to create or invest in a full-service Indian domestic airlines has been placed on hold due to confusion over Indian regulatory policy. A few months ago, Qatar Airways announced grand plans to invest in a new...
Taking a Toddler to the Taj Mahal
Last week I penned a review of the Hyatt Regency Delhi from a trip our family took to India almost three years ago. During our stay we took the journey out to Agra to view the Taj Mahal. We...
Singapore Airlines FA Arrested for Gold Smuggling
In a world of tariffs and walls, one professional has an easier time than most in clearing borders with minimal scrutiny: a flight attendant. But even FAs are not immune from random inspections. A Singapore Airlines FA was arrested...
It’s Raining Poop! New Delhi Residents Blame Airlines for Toxic Downpour
Residents near Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi are complaining of human waste dropping from the heavens. Many are fingering airlines as the culprit… A great debate has arisen whether it is bird poop or human waste. I’d...