Citing the continued closure of Pakistani airspace and strong seasonal winds, United Airlines will suspend its service to New Delhi for two weeks.
A flight attendant shared a note she just received:
Due to seasonal winds and the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, we currently are unable to operate our flights between EWR and DEL (New Delhi) while meeting crew flying time requirements. Beginning Friday, we will suspend the service for two weeks but will continue to closely monitor the situation and remain in contact with U.S. government authorities and our international partners. We are continuing to operate our EWR-BOM (Mumbai) service; nonstop flying on that route resumes today.
We are reaching out directly to our customers booked on the EWR-DEL flights to provide alternate travel options, including rebooking on our Star Alliance partners or providing full refunds. Customers may also visit united.com or check our mobile app to see the latest updates.
Some notes if you don’t want to read the blurb above:
- The suspension begins tomorrow, April 05, 2019
- The suspension will last two weeks
- Mumbai service will continue
- Mumbai service no longer requires a stop in Europe for a crew change
- If your flight is canceled, United will rebook you on another Star Alliance partner
- Full refunds are also available
- Changes can be made over the phone, on united.com, or on the mobile app (in theory)
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, this remains just a 14-day cancellation and not a more long-term one.
Aloha Snackbaristan
Thanks for the heads up. UA just informed me that our trip has been cancelled. Urggghhh
Good for Pakistan! Hitting India where it hurts.
You sick clown, Pakistan has been hurting India for years. I was attacked in my place of work by Pakistani terrorists and had to pick up my dead colleagues bodies on 26/11.
You really need to get your head examined, you POS
Excuse me? You are quite confused. The real terrorists are the Indian army, who have violently butchered THOUSANDS of innocent Kashmiris. Pakistan had nothing to do with 26/11.
Just to remind you, those same Kashmirs butchered thousands of resident hindu pundits, not too long ago.
This move doesn’t hurt just India. It hurts the whole world. This is not Pakistan hurting India, this is Pakistan hurting American businessmen traveling to India on an American airline, in this case United Airlines.
So technically, no Pakistan isn’t hurting India alone…
Interesting… Most long range aircraft have cabins where cabin crews and pilot can rest, but regulation regarding maximum flying time still imposed. What good is technologies if didn’t simplify your works?
Why is mumbai ok but not Delhi?
I think they are trying to go from two long haul frustrating flights to one. Mumbai is closer, less air time. The way they are currently flying to avoid air space, my EWR-DEL flight last week went south and right near Mumbai then back up to Delhi, so it may be a 2-3 hour difference in flying time, hope that helps.
Bob, Rickshaw Journey
http://www.rickshawjourney.com
I flew this (EWR-DEL RT) last week, what a mess. On the way to Delhi it took 2.5 extra hours. On the way back we had to stop in Frankfurt, it took 10 hours to Frankfurt, two hour changeover (stayed in plane), crew change, etc. If you fly this segment, you realize everything was totally off, when to eat, what was fed, etc. etc. Crew did their best, but it was totally messed up especially the return DEL-EWR. I heard (cannot verify) that the airlines are spending an extra 9$ million per day to make the adjustments.
The United website does not confirm this information.
Well, its true.
It is on UA the website: https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx
I got a (poorly worded, if you ask me) cancellation notice by email yesterday and called after noting that my flight was still valid and confirmed on my online reservation. The first reservation agent was not aware of the cancellations. The second one was, but told me that my flight April was not canceled yet; they were canceled only through 8 April. Nonetheless, she rebooked me on a connection through FRA, arriving in DEL a couple hours later than originally scheduled. After reading about the awful experience of the traveler above on this direct flight, I’ll be glad to get out and stretch my legs during my layover.
New Delhi but the picture is of the Taj Mahal which is in a different city. Lol
Give him a break. He’ll go there once an award seat available…
Received the exact note above one hour before our flight out of Newark. A bit disruptive not knowing our return plans, especially since ours was the last flight out of Newark to Delhi by United on 5 April. Two days later, we were re-booked in same class no charge by United onto Air Canada, an Alliance Partner, and flew out of Delhi to Vancouver, British Columbia on 16 April. All worked out well and we got to circumnavigate the globe (at least the upper hemispheres)!
Today – June 03 2019 –
It seems Pakistan Air Space is open now.
Is United DELHI-Newark Flight flying?
Thanks