Earlier this week, I put out the news about the official joining date for Air India to come into Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance. July 11, 2014 would be the day when they become the 27th airline to join the alliance. Readers have asked me over email and comments about the details of how is this going to impact their travels, and I thought it would be a good idea to make a post on how things will be different with Air India here on. While details are sketchy, I’m sure we will have more details soon. More destinations and choices: When an alliance comes into the picture, all the airlines codeshare with each other to be able to…
New Mumbai Terminal 2 Lounge coming in August 2014?
Late last week I was on my way to London Heathrow from Mumbai, and I stepped into the Mumbai Airport’s temporary lounge for a brief moment. The current lounge, like you know, is made at a gate, while they do up the details on the separate First & Business Class lounges at BOM. I ran into someone who I have seen at the host position before, and I enquired when is the new First and Business class lounge due to open. For the first time, I have heard a timeline, of August 2014 when the new set of lounges would be operational. While given the track record of the airport operator, I can be sure August 2014 is not it,…
Air India to join Star Alliance on July 11, 2014
My question seems to have been answered. Via the Mint newspaper, it seems like the CEO board of Star Alliance finally voted to receive Air India in their network, and Air India will be joining the network formally about 20 days from now: State-owned Air India Ltd will join the Star Alliance grouping on 11 July … The person cited above said the airline will join the alliance on 11 July and one of Air India’s Airbus A320 will be painted in Star Alliance colours for the event. As per the Wandering Aramean, Air India has begin to show up on the Star Alliance internal websites as well, and you can check out this information at www.starallianceemployees.com. There is a…
Air India to be finally a part of Star Alliance soon?
I guess there is not much suspense left in this one, but I am still not saying it is done till it is done. If you remember, one of the earliest posts on this blog was about Air India being jilted from the Star Alliance. Now, their is much begging, pleasing and a lot of backroom action that has happened in line up to today’s meeting of the CEO board of Star Alliance, where Air India’s membership for the Star Alliance will be voted upon the second time in seven years. Word is expected later this evening about the outcome. Air India joining the Star Alliance not just gives Star Alliance members access to facilities and flights of Air India…
Planning the Perfect Proposal Trip to Paris!
If you haven’t heard, last week, I was over to Paris along with my girlfriend where I proposed. Don’t worry, unlike Tom Cruise, this was not covered by network news, it was only on my blog and Facebook page. Since I am pretty much kicked about this trip, I am taking the liberty to cover this trip report ahead of some of the others I would have done, and bring up some hopefully interesting reviews and experiences for you around Paris. To kick it off, let me admit, if you can keep your lips sealed, planning a surprise trip can be a lot of fun for both sides. For me, it was essential to map out all the little details,…
SpiceJet and Indigo 40% off sale fares till June 19
I’m trying to keep up with these fare sales but they don’t seem to stop! I think the Indian leisure flyer hasn’t had it as good in a few years now, with continuous sales on offer by various airlines, however, these sales are causing a lot of pain to airlines such as SpiceJet of course. SpiceJet started off by offering a sale fare yesterday morning, which will be available till June 19, 2014 and has some attractive offers. For instance, the Mumbai Delhi sector which usually sells at INR 5000+ is on offer at INR 2999 all inclusive. You can ticket these sale fares between 17 and 19 June 2014 and travel between 19 July and 30 September 2014. Of…
Jet Airways offering double miles on Bangalore–Chennai and Bangalore–Goa
The Air Asia impact is showing, and all the airlines are reacting in their own possible manner. After Air Asia put out INR 500 tickets to Chennai and Goa from Bangalore, SpiceJet and Indigo lowered prices on the same routes, and Jet Airways is now offering double base miles on these routes if you fly between June 16 and July 15, 2014. Here are the salient Terms & Conditions you should know about: This offer is valid for travel taken on direct Jet Airways / JetKonnect flights on the above mentioned routes. Applicable for travel in Economy. Offer is valid for travel taken between June 16, 2014 and July 15, 2014 (both days inclusive). Double of the Base JPMiles will…
Flying around India? Watch this “Honest Indian Flight” video
I am not one for posting videos on my blog often, but this one kind of hit the nail on its head. This video released yesterday by an Indian bunch of comedians, showcases their take on the Indian air traveller, and hence has its rightful place on this blog. Just be aware, there is a lot of slang and unparliamentary language used here, so do not play this when the kids are around! What do you think? Join over 3400 people who check-in daily to find out about the best in travel. Free emails (once-a-day) | RSS Feeds | Facebook Updates | Twitter | Instagram
She said Yes!
We are interrupting scheduled programing for this breaking news update which is now a couple of days old. Like some of you, who connect with me on Social Media platforms such as Twitter already know, I am right now in Paris since last weekend. But I am not alone this time around. While I have been lying through my teeth over the past so many weeks about this trip, I’ve been planning a surprise getaway to Paris for my girlfriend, who has been referred to as my partner on this blog before. So, till the time we were on the Jet Airways check-in aisle at Mumbai Airport, the lady did not know we were going to Paris. We flew on…
British Airways offering double miles for India–London travel till July 31, 2014
British Airways is offering double Avios for travel between India to London and return, on all trips originating from India between June 5, 2014 to July 31, 2014. You can be booked on a longer trip to another destination in the UK, or onwards to North America or Europe, and you will get Double Avios credited on your India to London sector. You need an Indian address in your Executive Club account to be able to benefit from this promotion. Now, a regular BOM-LHR-BOM flight in economy would net you 8,938 Avios excluding any tier and cabin bonuses. Using this promotion, you get a double bonus Avios, which nets you 17,876 Avios. If you are a BA Gold, you get…
Daily Getaways might be a good time to purchase some IHG points
The US Travel Association works out promotions for the travellers every year, and offers 5 weeks of the Daily Getaways promotions. Now, a few chain hotels such as Hyatt and InterContinental Hotel Group, work with the USTA to offer packages of points for a good price. Hyatt offered a total of about 100 packages or so, which went out pretty quick (a few seconds). However, InterContinental Hotels Group offers a huge variety and 1000s of packages, some of which are still available. Here are the various packages available in limited quantities: 15,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $100 25,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $167 50,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $325 100,000 IHG Rewards Club points for $630 Most…
