Star Alliance member Air India is offering flights to many Indian cities from New York City and Chicago starting at US$629 (~€588). The destinations include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and even Goa (plus many others). These fares include two checked bags.
Air India still overflies Russia on its flights between the US and India. While this shortens the flight time significantly, many Americans consider it a security risk, including the United CEO. He did predict the future as a few days later, a Mumbai – San Francisco flight diverted to remote Siberia. While some passengers complained about the logistics, luckily the situation didn’t end up similarly to the Belarussian incident, nor had any bad implications for US citizens.
The following destinations are available from New York:
- Delhi at US$629 (~€588) (non-stop)
- Mumbai at US$632 (~€591) (non-stop)
- Chennai at US$636 (~€594)
- Kochi at US$638 (~€596)
- Bangalore at US$650 (~€607)
- Hyderabad at US$650 (~€607)
- Kolkata at US$651 (~€608)
- Goa at US$737 (~€689)
- Udaipur at US$762 (~€712)
- possibly more..
The following destinations are available from Chicago:
- Delhi at US$743 (~€694) (non-stop)
- Mumbai at US$748 (~€699)
- Chennai at US$750 (~€701)
- Kochi at US$752 (~€703)
- Hyderabad at US$764 (~€714)
- Bangalore at US$764 (~€714)
- Kolkata at US$765 (~€715)
- Goa at US$851 (~€795)
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore for up to 28 days. It will forward you to Momondo with your selected flight dates. You can also check out Air India’s website, where prices are only a little higher.
Depending on your route, you would fly Boeing 787s or Boeing 777s. While all Dreamliners and most 777s have 3-3-3 seating, some ex-Etihad B777-300ERs have a 3-4-3 configuration. We recommend checking the seat map before booking. Air India is currently on a renewal program and they ordered hundreds of new planes from Airbus and Boeing.
Search & Book
The fare rules do not state how long this fare will remain valid. There is a minimum stay of 3 nights or a Saturday night and a maximum stay of 3 months.
You can use our calendar above that will show you availabilities. Once you selected your dates, it will forward you to Momondo with your preselected flight dates. With all its disadvantages, it may be worth it to book through online travel agencies (OTAs), since they offer more availabilities and are easier to use in addition to being cheaper. If you want to be on the safe side, you can check out Air India’s website.
You can also search more specifically on Google Flights (instructions) for example by setting filters. You can then use our Go2 browser extension to book your flights.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Air India issues these tickets in booking class S. This is what a trip from New York to Delhi, booked on OTAs would earn you:
- 7,304 Award Miles + 1,000 PQP on United MileagePlus
- 7,304 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 7,304 Miles on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 7,304 Miles on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 7,304 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 7,304 Miles on Avianca LifeMiles
You can calculate your own earnings with the help of our mileage calculator. We also have a status calculator, which can help you decide which status should you aim for or which status does your next trip helps achieve. Or use our program mileage calculator that calculates your earnings based on your current status and routing:
See instructions on our status calculator‘s page.
Destination
Hotel prices in India usually start at roughly US$20 (~€19), depending on the hotel category. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for Delhi
Delhi or New Delhi is the capital of India, the world’s second most popoulos country. The city combines architectural elements from more than 1,000 years. Therefore it appears as a timeless conflux of several cultures. From Hinduism, Moghul India through British colonial influences, the poeple of Delhi inhabited and preserved what they got from whomever ruled the city.
The result is a city full of sights like pompous temples and mosques, regal colonial buildings and buzzing shopping districts. One of India’s best public transport systems and a steady flow of taxis and rickshaws help you get around. With its undeniable contemporary influences, Delhi is the best gateway to enter the culturally vastly different country of India.
Best Time to Travel
Delhi is hot – from May through August, the average daily temperature is above 30 degrees, making this an unpleasant time to visit the city. From mid-september, when monsoon season is finished, to November is a great time go. While December and January can be cold and unpleasant, from February to April is another good time frame for a trip to India’s capital.
From the Airport to the City
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Int’l Airport serves as hub for Air India. Delhi’s excellent subway connects it to the city. A ride to the city center takes around 20 minutes and costs less than €1. Furthermore, al large number of air conditioned buses are available, charging an ever lower fare. Taking a taxi can take up to an hour, due to heavy traffic. Prices are around €5.
→ All Dealz for Delhi
Information & Tips for Mumbai
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the most populous city in India. Its city center is located on a peninsula. The city is famous for its breathtaking, pompous colonial buildings like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station or the Bombay High Court. The heart of India’s financial industry is located in Mumbai as well, resulting in numerous skyscrapers and contemporary buildings in its Southern districts.
The Best Time to Visit
Mumbai is hot and humid all year round, so there isn’t really a “best time to visit”. But there definitely are times when you shouldn’t visit the city – like in its monsoon season. That lasts from June to the end of September and sees daily, heavy rain showers pour on the city.
From The Airport to the City
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Int’l Airport serves as a secondary hub for Air India and attracts many international airlines from all over the globe. It is located roughly 30 kilometres north of the city centre. Before 2021, there will be no metro connection to the airport. Instead, you can take air-conditioned buses provided by private companies. A taxi ride downtown can take up to 90 Minutes due to heavy traffic, but its rather affordable and should not exceed 400 rupees (approx. €5).
→ All Dealz for Mumbai
Information & Tips for India
India is billed as a “subcontinent” not only for geographical reasons. The argument can be made that there is no region on the entire planet as culturally different as India. For example, it is home to as many vegetarians as the rest of the world. But its unique cuisine is just one of reasons to go there – India has a lot to offer. You can finde paradise like beaches in Goa and Kerala. Buzzing metropoles like Delhi and Mumbai invite you as well as and extravagant buildings and palaces like the world famous Taj Mahal. In conclusion, a country as huge as India is full of possibilities.
Visa & Entry
EU citizens need a visa and a passport to enter India. The easiest way is to apply for an eVisa, that will grant you two entries and a stay up to 60 days. It costs around 30€ on the government’s official site. With it, you can enter the country at almost any international airport.
Transport infrastructure
Flag carrier Air India and a bunch of smaller LCCs connect the airports of Delhi and Mumbai to almost any noteworthy city in the country. For a country its size, India has an excellent railway network. This allows for extremely cheap ground transportation. Renting a car is possible, but incredibly dangerous due to poor road conditions and reckless driving habits.
Currency
Official currency is the Indian rupee. €1 buys roughly ₹89.
→ All Dealz for India
Cover Picture: © Kriangkrai