Different Types of Tickets via Delhi

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July 14,2009

Different Types of Tickets via Delhi:

When flying through Delhi, several airline and price options are available.  We explain them to you below with the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Single Ticket with through Connection

You may be flying with one or more airlines with a single ticket.  As an example, Air India offers a ticket from Washington to Kathmandu.  However, Air India does not fly between Washington and New York and Delhi to Kathmandu.  Instead, it uses UA or AA to connect between NYC and WAS and Indian Airlines (IC) between DEL and KTM.  Despite the many airlines involved, the ticket would be issued by Air India on its own stock.

Advantages:

•    In case there is a delay from KTM to DEL and you missed the onward connection to JFK, Air India would assist you and put you in the next flight because it considers the IC its own flight
•    Baggage would be checked all the way to Kathmandu
Disadvantages:
•    Fares are usually more expensive to Kathmandu with a through ticket and there are only a few seats available that qualify for this extension
•    Only a few airlines offer through connection tickets to Kathmandu via Delhi(Kuwait Air, Indian Airlines)

Separate Tickets with Carrier Interline Agreements

You may purchase tickets from two separate carriers (and two sources).  Because they have an baggage forwarding agreement with each other, your luggage will be forwarded directly to Kathmandu by the airlines.  However, if your flight is delayed from Kathmandu to Delhi and you miss the QR flight, QR may not waive the no-show penalties.

Advantages:

Baggage is forwarded automatically
You have a choice of many carriers, and the prices tend to be cheaper

Disadvantages:

Sometimes your luggage may not get forwarded all.  The attendant who is checking you in at the origination city will see there is a baggage forwarding agreement, but at the transit points, the connecting airline might not be having the same level working agreement

Two Separate tickets:

You have tickets from two different airlines that don’t have any agreement.  e.g. Lufthansa or Air France to Delhi and Nepal Airlines onwards.  Once you arrive at Delhi Airport, you must claim your luggage at the baggage terminal and once again recheck your luggage to the onward flight to Kathmandu.  A special note to passengers holding an American/Canadian passport, you will need an Indian visa to go out and recheck your luggage.  On the return, the same procedure applies.  Nepali passport holders are allowed to enter/exit airport without any special visas.

Note, without a transit or travel visa, some airlines don’t permit American passport holders to board the flights.

Advantages: 

•    One can buy much cheaper tickets and choose from more airlines flying into Delhi

Disadvantages:

•    The hassle of going out of the airport to collect and check in your luggage at the airport
•    Any delays in the first flight can interrupt the remainder of the flights

Some tips:

•    Make sure you know which type of ticket you have and that you have the proper travel documents for transit
•    Confirm your luggage is forwarded to the final destination at the transit points
•    Request the travel agency (if possible) to issue both your tickets in one itinerary so the attendant at the origination point knows your final destinations.