Air India- A Guide to Transit through India

Air India, a flag carrier airline of India, has its headquarters in New Delhi. It has its center at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Further, many other focus cities in India serve this purpose too.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is one of its secondary hubs. Further, Air India serves more than sixty international destinations across the four continents. 

Thus, booking a Canada air ticket with Air India is a great idea. This airline surely makes transiting through India an easy task. Moreover, they are the best in it.

What’s more, they make it a priority to serve their customers well and provide them with maximum comfort during the transitional stopover (layover).

Here is a comprehensive guide of everything you must know about the working of Air India flight connections:

1. Booking Connecting Flights with Air India

Air India’s transit service is the best. Thus, it is advisable to book your Canada flight ticket with it.

By doing so, you will have to catch your link from its central hub in Delhi. Alternatively, you can do so from the secondary hubs, as well.

Further, to make a booking, you need to visit their official website. Otherwise, you can personally visit their service desk.

Thus, it is quite simple to book a connecting flight with Air India. Also, you can ask them to customize your tickets as per your needs.

Moreover, Air India’s customers can avail of many services.

Thus, you can complete your custom and immigration check at the First Port of Departure and Last Port of Arrival in India. However, there are some conditions on it.

2. Arriving in India

When you reach India after your Toronto to India flight, you need not worry if you have an onward flight.

Make sure to carry with you both the boarding passes that Air India issues you at your departure station.

Thus, you will have a pass at the gateway point (transit) beforehand.

Also, you need not worry about your luggage. The airline will make sure that it reaches your final destination.

So, you need to collect it there. Also, you have to complete all customs and immigration checks at the concluding destination as well.

Besides, when you reach the Gateway Point, it is a great idea to proceed straight to the departure gate.

Do this at least 45 minutes before your departure time. Also, by doing so, you do not have to go through immigration and other formalities. 

However, for some flights with Air India, you can collect your baggage mid-way. But, then you have to proceed with the security check as well. 

3. Departing from India

After reaching the gateway point to catch your Toronto to Delhi flight, you need to have your second boarding pass with you.

Also, the airline will transfer your luggage directly to your international flight.

You also have to go through immigration and customs check formalities here. This is done at the central station only.

However, for some flights, Air India does this at the international departure lounge.

4. Transiting through India

In this case, you have to fly internationally through an international carrier. Thus, you can stay in direct transit at the terminal itself.

Alternatively, you can move to the departure area. This depends entirely on the timing of your onward flight. Also, the specific airport procedure plays a vital role too.

Furthermore, you cannot pass the immigration and customs if you do not fulfill the requisite criteria.

5. Transit Visa

When finding flight deals to Canada, make sure to apply for a transit visa as well. You will need it in case you want to explore the city during your long layover. 

However, if you plan to stay at the airport itself, you need not apply for one. Also, you do not need one if your ticket includes a pre-booking for the stopover.

6. Missed Connection/ Delay

In case you miss a flight with Air India, they will book you the next available flight. However, they will do so if the delay is entirely their fault.

In the other case, you will end up losing your luggage as it is to reach the final stop with your connecting flight.

Therefore, make sure to avoid a missed connection. You can do so by not leaving the airport. And, in case you do so, reach at least 45 minutes before your departure.

Thus, whenever you book a connecting Canada air ticket, keep these points in mind. And we are confident that you will have a fantastic trip.