India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [47]
By Plane
Because train travel is time-consuming, and roads generally appalling, the best way to cover huge distances is by air. A handful of very active low-cost airlines means that you have a wide choice at bargain prices; no need to scour all the websites, though, if you’re looking for the lowest price—simply log on to www.travelocity.co.in or www.yatra.com, two excellent sites. Jet Airways (www.jetairways.com), with its fleet of new planes, First-World service, and good connections, is still a very good airline, but Kingfisher Airlines ( 1800/180-0101; www.flykingfisher.com) is definitely our favorite: Aircrafts are brand-new, cabin crew are efficient and superfriendly, and service is exemplary—in the last 2 years Kingfisher has expanded its network to include even niche market destinations such at Agatti in the Lakshadweep islands. They frequently offer a better deal than their competitors, and online booking is painless. National carrier Air India (which has completely merged with and absorbed Indian) may be having financial troubles, but services have improved dramatically—in fact, when we’ve most recently flown with them, they compared favorably against Jet. Another contender for the domestic crown is Paramount Airways ( 800/180-1234; www.paramountairways.com); predominantly based in South India but steadily expanding, it offers full business-class cabins and service at less than economy-class fares. Basically, opt for Kingfisher or Paramount if the price is comparable, but don’t hesitate to fly Jet or Air India if the price is right.
Best of the low-budget airlines (and clean, reliable, relatively cheap) is SpiceJet ( 800/180-3333; www.spicejet.com). Also worth comparing prices with are Go Air ( 800/222-111 or 09223/222-111; www.goair.in) and IndiGo ( 099-1038-3838 or 800/180-3838; www.goindigo.in). If price is important, you can usually save money with one of these airlines—but don’t expect top-notch service (often no meals or beverages served), and worst of all, you may have lengthy delays. Note that erstwhile Airline Deccan has been completely absorbed by Kingfisher, which has launched a semibudget brand, Kingfisher Red, although it’s not yet fully understood how this service differs from its full-fare flights. Similarly, Jet Lite is Jet’s lower-priced wing, accessed via a separate website, www.jetlite.com.
India’s domestic and international check-in and preboarding procedure may be one of the most rigorous in the world. Technically, check-in will start 180 minutes prior to international departure, and you need to produce a ticket before being allowed access to the airport building (airlines generally have ticketing windows for collection of e-tickets purchased online, or if you need to buy a ticket at the airport; alternatively, speak to a security officer, who will escort you to the appropriate ticket counter). Arriving less than 60 minutes prior to domestic departure is definitely not recommended. Your checked baggage must be scanned and sealed before you report to the check-in counter. The list of dangerous items not permitted in your carry-on bags is fairly extensive, but these days no more so than at airports around the world (and because the security is so tight, they tend to be less paranoid about what you can or cannot carry). In any case, India’s screening procedures genuinely enhance your sense of security—there are no half-hearted measures, and personnel are generally very pleasant in their attitude, even as you’re being frisked by a uniformed army officer. Check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure. After check-in, you should immediately head for the first security check, which will involve a body pat-down and a scan of your carry-on luggage. Boarding gates close 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure (although delays are fairly frequent), and there may be second body and carry-on checks before you are permitted to board the plane. In some instances, you will be