All about domestic flights in India

From IndiaMike
http://www.indiamike.com/india-articles/all-about-domestic-flights-in-india/

By Kanbe.

With new airlines starting domestic flights in India, joining the skies, and increasing flight routes over the sub-continent, coupled with the trend of travellers opting to fly under tight schedules, it seems conducive to have a thread containing everything you need or want to know about domestic flights in India.

It would be great if members can keep this article updated by adding any India domestic flight specials, new India flight routes, and what not in the comments section. Also, post any FAQ here as well.

Airlines offering domestic flights in India

Air India and Indian Airlines

Air India is India’s national carrier, and after merging with Indian Airlines, is the only government owned airline in India offering domestic flights in India. Air India was initially founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines. Air India’s primary hubs in India are Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai and Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

E-ticketing is available for all domestic India flight routes except those to/from Calicut, Lucknow and Goa Offers day fares and night fares (the latter being cheaper).

Air India offers youth discount of up to 25% off for those under 30 years of age, although you may have to call their offices if you want youth fares. They e-mail you a payment slip which needs to be filled in and faxed back plus with your passport id to verify your age.

Check-in baggage rules for domestic flights in India (per person): First Class - 40 kgs, Executive Class - 30 kgs, Economy Class 20 kgs.

Deccan

Deccan, formerly known as Air Deccan, is India’s first low cost airline carrier. It was founded in August 2003, " with the vision to empower every Indian to fly by providing the lowest airfares and connectivity to unconnected towns and cities". Deccan is based in Bangalore, with another hub in Chennai.

Deccan does not differentiate in fares between NRI, tourists, and locals for Indian domestic flights. Check-in baggage rules for domestic India flights (per person): 15 kg (Rs 70/kg for excess check-in luggage)

JetLite (formerly Air Sahara)

JetLite, formerly known as Air Sahara, is one of the older privately-owned airlines in India. It was founded in September, 1991, is has bases in Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, Chennai International Airport in Chennai, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

JetLite covers domestic flights all over India, as well as travel between Delhi and Chicago through a code share with American Airlines. Check-in baggage for domestic flights in India (per person): 20 kg.

GoAir

GoAir is another low-cost carrier, and is a relative new-comer for Indian domestic flights, having been established in June 2004. It is based in Mumbai.

GoAir does not differentiate in fares between NRI, tourists, and residents, and flies between Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Coimbatore ad Goa. GoAir offers 10,000 Free Tickets Per Month. Check-in baggage rules for domestic India flights: 15 kg (Rs 70/kg for excess check-in luggage)

Indigo Air

Indigo Air began its flight operations for domestic Indian flights in August 2006, and currently links Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Pune, Udaipur, and Vadodara. This low cost Indian flight carrier’s main hub is in Delhi.

Indigo Air does not differentiate between NRI, tourist, and local fares for domestic Indian flight tickets.

Jagson Airline

Jagson Airline, established in November 1991, is India’s first private airline. It is based primarily in Delhi. Jagson Airlines currently operates Delhi-Kullu and Delhi-Shimla routes, as well as Shirdi-Mumbai and Shirdi-Pune flights. Jagson airlines has offices in Mumbai, Shirdi, Manali, Kullu, Shimla, with good connects for the Delhi-Rajasthan sector

Jagson airlines does offer internet booking facilities for domestic Indian flight tickets through their online booking site.

Jet Airways

Jet Airways is based in Mumbai, and offers over 370 daily flights across 44 domestic destinations. Jet Airways also operates numerous international flights to destinations like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Thailand, and Nepal. Jet Airways became the first Indian carrier to offer internet check-in facilities for its passengers.

Jet Airways offers youth discount (25%) for those under 29 years of age, and Senior Citizen discounts for those 65 years and older. To get the discount rates for domestic flights in India, the airline requires you to fax over credit card as well as pass port ID details.

Check-in baggage rules for domestic India flights (per person): Economy - 25 kg, Premiere - 35 kg.

Kingfisher Air

Kingfisher Airlines Limited is based in Bangalore, and was established in May 2005. It operates over 200 domestic Indian flights a day across 37 destinations in India. Its primary hub is in Bangalore International Airport.

Although Kingfisher only operates flights in India, the airline has plans to expand into the international market by adding the Unted States as a possible destination. Check-in baggage rules for domestic India flights: Kingfisher Class - 20 kg, Kingfigher First - 35 kg.

Paramount Airlines

Paramount Airlines’ primary focus is on the business traveler, and flies between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Some of its Indian domestic flight destinations include Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi (Cochin), Hyderabad and Madurai.

It is based in Madurai India, with its primary hub located in Chennai International Airport. The airline started operating in October 2005. Click here for a schedule of Paramount Airways flights.

There is no differentiation in fares for domestic flights in India between NRI, tourists, and residents for Paramount Airlines. The airline also offers a booking facility through its Online Paramount Booking site.

SpiceJet

SpiceJet was voted the best low-cost carrier in Central Asia by SkyTrax in 2007. It is based in New Delhi, with its main hub in Mumbai and an additional hub in Ahmedabad. SpiceJet also offers service to Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Varanasi.

SpiceJet offers online booking services, and has no differentiation in fares between NRI, tourists, and locals. Check-in baggage rules for domestic flights in India: 20kg.

Indus Air (out of business)

Indus Air no longer exists as a carrier, having gone out of business s few months after its launch. It was originally based in Ghaziabad, with its main hub in Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The airline started its domestic Indian flight operations in December 2006.

Indus Air was a regional carrier, and operated flights between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Mumbai.

NOTE: For all airlines operating domestic flights in India, there is apparently no hand luggage abroad planes originating from Jammu, Leh and Srinagar. Only checked in luggage.

Ticket Auctions for India domestic flights

Open to Indian residents only.

• Here’s a link to the India Times Auctions for domestic flights in India tickets. Bidding from 8 - 24 days in advance.

Unlimited air travel

If you are on a tight schedule, and you are thinking of doing most of your traveling by air, here are some schemes available to NRI/tourists to help with your domestic India flights ticket.

Jet airways

• 7 days Visit India pass (Adult: USD 400) unlimited travel on domestic Indian flight sectors
• 7 days Regional Visit India Fare (Adult: USD 320) unlimited travel to destinations within specified regions (click here)
• 15/21 days Visit India pass (Adult: USD 630; 895 respectively) unlimited travel within the entire domestic Indian flight network

Indian Airlines

• Discover India – 7 Days pass (Adult: USD 400) maximum 7 coupons for travel on domestic sectors
• Discover India – 15 Days pass (Adult: USD 630)
• Discover India – 21 Days pass (Adult: USD 895)
• India Wonder Fare (7 days) – for those wanting to cover the major tourist attractions (Adult: USD 300 up to Sept 05; USD 320 from Oct 05) – unlimited travel within specified regions (click here)

Air Deccan

• Super-Value Flier – 16 tickets (Rs 48, 000) on all Air Deccan sectors
• Super-Value Flier – 14 tickets (Rs 24, 000) on ATR routes

Booking domestic air tickets outside of India

Here’s the website for the Overseas Jet Airways offices, and here’s the website for the Overseas Indian Airlines services.