Travelling in India is very easy with multiple modes of transport. Air connectivity is also getting better by the day and future is bright for India as far as aviation is concerned. But for first timers and guest who are coming in from another country some aspects can be irritating or funny. Following are the 10 tips to keep you prepared for a comfortable air travel within India.
- Book your tickets well in advance from a known travel agent or tour operator or a consolidator online who has got good credentials so that if you need to make changes in future it could be handled smoothly. Make sure you give your regular email address and local contact number so that if there is change in flight schedule the same could be intimated to you.
- Make sure you are at the airport 2 hours prior to departure for a comfortable travel or if you one of those kind who don’t like to wait or willing to take a chance you can be there 1 hour before as the check in counters close 45 mins before departure. This is strictly advice for the adventurous ones only as traffic in India can play foul with your plans!!!
- Almost all airports are well equipped today in cities. Once you get off your vehicle look around and pick up a luggage trolley and walk to the security gate with your photo identity card and copy of the printed ticket. If there is more than one passenger in a ticket please ensure that each one has a photo id card in hand to cross this first check point.
- Once you are in, re check your flight schedule and get your check in baggage screened from the correct point (larger airports may have multiple screening option for specific airlines). Your baggage is either tagged or sticker placed next to the lock which indicates the baggage has been screened and is safe to be loaded. For new generation airports there us auto screening along with check in.
- Make sure you carry only one handbag or two max if you don’t have a check in baggage as you may be put to trouble if it’s more. Normal baggage allowance in domestic flights is 15 kg as check in baggage and 5 kg as hand baggage, if it’s more be prepared to pay as airlines getting very strict with this now.
- At the check in counter you need to produce your printed ticket and photo ID card and if you have booked the ticket with your credit card may be the card too on request. You baggage gets weighed and if it’s within limits you are issued the hand baggage tags which has to be put on immediately lest you forget. Also you are issued the boarding ticket ( make sure you place the seat request online or at the counter when you present the ticket) , do check the same and memorize your gate number for ease of boarding.
- Make sure you don’t have any liquid, flammable articles, scissors etc as they will be confiscated if you don’t remove it yourself. Make sure your baggege is clear before you proceed to the next stage. Even water bottles are not allowed in and if you are carrying medicines ideally leave it in your check in baggage. You are permitted to carry 1 liquor bottle and a carton of cigarettes per person in your checked in baggage.
- At the next security point you have to deposit your hand baggage for screening. You will have to remove the laptop and place it in a different basket and keep all your belongings including your phone in bag. Just hold your boarding pass and wallet with you and move to the screening section where a police personnel will do a body search (for women there is closed section run by women officers) and then your boarding pass is stamped.
- Pick your screened hand baggage and ensure that the tag has been stamped too. Thereafter proceed to the seating area near your assigned gate. Make sure you hear all the announcements just to ensure that there are no gate changes as its possible in India. Once the gate is opened queue up to take your bus to the flight. Once in the flight get to your seat and relax till you reach the destination. Make sure pay attention to security announcements on board. All domestic flights in India are non smoking and no drinks are served on board. Some flights serve water free of charge and some you need to pay. Food onboard can be bought if it’s a low cost carrier at an extra cost.
- Once you reach your destination collect your hand baggage and take the bus to the terminal. Once you alight seek out your conveyor belt from the display panels above (some flights announce in advance and inform from which conveyor belt you can pick your luggage). Pick up a luggage trolley and collect your baggage and ensure that all is fine with baggage. Move to the exit gate and onward from there. If you are expecting to meet someone at the airport you can check for him or the placard outside the exit gate.
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