Travel Tips

Can and Can’t before Booking Air tickets to the USA from India

With the ever-increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the USA, traveling can come up many challenges.

One need to be extra cautious and also follow the guidelines set up by the aviation industry in order to ensure a safe air travel experience from India to the USA.

Here we have provided all the possible information that one might require while booking air tickets from India to the USA.

Other than the mandatory COVID-19 precautions,

One need to keep a check at the pointers mentioned below:

Who all can Travel?

You can book air tickets to the USA if:

  • You are a US citizen or a green card holder.
  • Valid VISA for an Indian card holder
  • Legal permanent resident of the US or a foreign national with a valid US VISA

Who all cannot book flights from India to the USA?

For the students who wish to travel to the US for higher education on the basis of F1 VISA taking up flights from India to the USA can be linked with the following objections:

  • Booking of international flight tickets to the USA will be possible if the F or M category VISA has a validity of atleast 6 months from the date of departure.
  • And if you are a new student and had not joined the institute before the lockdown, you might not be able to book flights. This is because the educational institutions in the US are currently not operational.

International Flight booking to the US for Students

In case you are a student who have been studying in the USA before lockdown, you can easily continue your studies and take up flights from India to the USA.

But before you actually make your bookings, you are advised to confirm from the institute if they are open or not.

If your school’s policy allows foreign students arrival, one need to carry a confirmation in written regarding the same.

So, other than a valid F or M VISA, one must have proper documentation to avoid any issues during boarding.

Airlines Offering Flights to the USA from India

Air India being the largest passenger carrier has started its service post lockdown for the passengers who wish to travel internationally.

However, the flights might start from selected major Indian cities like Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Amritsar, etc.

Other than Air India, Etihad, Emirates, Lufthansa, and United are some other airlines offering fights from India to the US.

COVID-19 and related Precautions

Traveling amidst COVID-19 pandemic comes with its own set of responsibilities, both from the passenger as well as the airlines end.

Unlike India, there is no provision of institutional quarantine in the US, but one has to go through 14 days of home quarantine in order to ensure safety for all.

Also, different states have different set of rules in order to avoid spread of the disease. One must be well aware of these rules for a smooth stay.

Other than this, many airlines like Etihad and Emirates have made it mandatory for the passengers to carry RT-PCR test during the time of travel.

One must take all the necessary precautions in hand in order to meet the safety standards and maintain personal wellbeing.

Traveling cannot be avoided, but what can be kept in mind during air travel to the USA from India is the safety and security of all. One must do every bit from their end in order to ensure a safe travel.