Contents
3. Documents Required And Baggage Limits
4. Travel To The Departure Airport
5. At The Departure Airport Terminal
1. Make A Complete Itinerary
Before buying an air ticket, make a complete itinerary for your journey. At least be sure about your onward and return journey dates. As far as possible, always try to book a return ticket (both sides). Booking the tickets for onward and return journey together are generally cheaper than booking two separate tickets for each journey. Think about the time taken for the journey. Connecting flights through other airports may get cheaper than the direct flights, but you need more time to reach your destination. Also, check whether your dates are flexible or not. You may get a cheaper ticket within 2-3 days (prior to or after) of your intended departure.
2. Buy A Flight Ticket
You can buy a flight ticket either online, or through a travel agent. You can also buy it from the airlines counter, either located in the city or at the airport terminal.
Points to note while booking a flight ticket
1. Your First and Last name on the flight ticket must be exactly the same as the name on the ID proof.
2. If you book your ticket through a credit card, airlines staff may ask to see your credit card (not necessarily). If you book your ticket by using a credit card of another person, you should carry a photocopy of the credit card as well as a letter from your friend stating that his/her card was used to book the ticket with his/her consent. (It may not required always, but sometimes, an airline staff may insist for this).
3. If your name on the flight ticket and on the ID proof doesn’t match, then the airline staff can stop you to board a flight. If there is a spelling mistake in the name upto 3 characters, you may call the customer care of that airline to correct the mistake. They may correct it and send you a revised flight ticket. If you don’t have any surname (e.g., your name is Nidhi), then you can write Nidhi in the first name as well as in the last name, while booking the flight ticket. (Nidhi Nidhi).
Similarly, if your name is Nidhi on the ID proof, and after marriage if you book a flight ticket with the name Nidhi Maurya, you may be allowed to board the flight. But, if your name on the ID proof is Nidhi Singh, but after the marriage, if you book a flight ticket as Nidhi Maurya due to the surname of the husband, you may not be allowed to board the flight without an identity proof as Nidhi Maurya.
4. In case of the international travel, the name on the ticket should be exactly same as the name on the passport (without any kind of exception). However, you may skip the middle name, while booking the flight ticket.
5. If you claim any concessionary fare, you must have any ID proof to support your claim.
6. While booking ‘hand baggage only’ fare, make sure that you don’t have any check-in luggage. However, If you later decide to carry check-in luggage, you can always pay the required price and carry your luggage.
You should read this post about some tips for booking a cheap flight ticket: Tips to Buy Cheap Flight Tickets
Cheap ticket is not the best option always. There may be a hidden trap to spoil your travel plan. Have you ever heard about Hidden City Ticketing?
Read this post to know about Hidden City Ticketing in details: Hidden City Ticketing
Mention your Frequent Flyer Number: If you are a frequent flyer and the members of any air-miles programmes of the airline or credit card company, please make sure to mention it in your ticket booking to avail the benefits.
Buy a Travel Insurance
While booking a ticket, you get an option to buy a travel insurance. It helps you to prevent from the losses in case of baggage theft, flight delays or any unwanted situations as per the term and conditions. Buying a travel insurance is absolutely a customer’s choice. If you want to buy an insurance, then good; but if you don’t want to buy an insurance, then it’s Okay. Don’t bother about it too much during the domestic travel. However, Travel insurance is a must thing during the international travel. Many countries also ask for a travel insurance while processing the visa applications.
Check this comprehensive guide to know more about the travel insurance: A Comprehensive Guide To Buy Travel Insurance
Any Special Needs
If you are travelling with a minor, or you are pregnant or you have requirement of the wheel-chairs..in all these cases you need some extra attention from the airlines staff during the travel. You should always inform the airlines well in advance about any special needs, preferably at the time of booking a ticket. Sometimes, it may cost you some extra bucks.
3. Documents Required And Baggage Limits
Documents required for Domestic Flights
1. A Valid Identity Card: A valid identity card is must for any kind of air travel. You can’t go on an International Travel without a passport or special travelling documents, so that solves the purpose of identity proof during international travel. But, the passport is not mandatory to board a domestic flight. So, what are the other documents you can carry? You should have any of the following documents in original:
a). Voter ID Card
b). Ration Card
c). PAN Card
d). School/College ID Card
e). Office ID Card ( Government or Reputed Private Companies)
f). Aadhar Card
g). Public Sector Bank Passbook having photograph
Note: An infant or a kid is required to have a birth certificate, if no photo ID is there. Upto 2 years of age, the birth certificate is normally mandatory (As an infant, airfare is only approx Rs. 1000, but for a baby above 2 years of age, airfare is full as an adult in most cases, so they just want to make sure that the baby is not above 2 years of age 😃 ). After that, a kid can travel with his parents without any ID card also for 3-4 years of age. After that, the school ID card works good as an Identity proof.
Sometimes, I get queries, where people doesn’t has any of the above mentioned documents. Please be clear that you can not travel without an identity proof, so try to get one before the commencement of the journey. If you are on a short notice, you should try to arrange an identity document issued by local SDM/DM office or by local MLA/MP. If there are many travellers in a group travelling together, they all must have a separate identity proof, even if they are travelling on a single ticket/PNR.
2. A Printed Copy of Flight Ticket: A saved copy in mobile/tablet is good, but it’s better if you have a printed copy of your ticket.
Documents required for International Flights
1. A Valid Passport: Minimum 6 months validity is an important criteria for the visa approval from most of the countries.
Note: Nobody can travel without a passport or a valid travel document issued by the country of citizenship. It applies to the infants/babies/kids also.
2. A Valid Visa: Unless you are travelling to a destination that offers visa free entry or visa on arrival facility, a valid visa from the destination country is always required.
3. A Printed Copy of The Flight Ticket: A saved copy in mobile/tablet is good, but it’s better if you have a printed copy of your ticket and other documents.
I was in the immigration queue at Jakarta Airport in Indonesia. When the immigration officer asked about the return ticket and hotel bookings from the person prior to me in the queue, he started showing all documents in the mobile. The officer got irritated and directed him to a nearby shop to take the print of all documents. The officer may not be right in this case, but for your own convenience; it’s better to have the printed copy of your documents. Just in case there is a glitch in phone 😛
4. Other Documents: Keep other documents like return flight tickets, hotel reservations, financial proofs, photographs etc with you to show at the immigration of your destination country. Sometimes, these documents are also required, even if you have the prior visa.
You should read this post while preparing for your first international trip: How To Prepare For The First International Trip?
Currency Restrictions
You are not allowed to carry the Indian as well as foreign currency above a certain limit while going on an international trip. For example, while going on an international trip other Nepal and Bhutan, you can carry upto INR 5000 in cash. You are free to carry upto USD 10000 on an international trip. However, if you have foreign currency notes (bills) of more than US $5,000 or equivalent and/or foreign exchange including currency of more than US $10,000 or equivalent, you will have to make the declaration before the customs officer. Generally, import of Indian currency is prohibited. However, while entering in India from any other country, you can bring upto INR 5000 in cash.
Note: There is no restrictions on carrying jewellery or cash on a domestic flights. However, you should able to justify the logic of carrying huge cash or a large quantity of jewellery, in case the airport authorities have any kind of apprehension.
Do You Feel Any Difficulty On The Money Management Part During An International Trip, Check This: Manage Money While Travelling Abroad
Baggage Limits
There are two types of luggage that you can carry in a flight:
Cabin Baggage or Hand Baggage: Whatever you can carry in the aircraft cabin with you is known as Cabin Baggage or Hand Baggage. You should be aware of the cabin baggage rules of your airline. Every airline have different rules regarding the weight and dimension of the cabin baggage. Generally, a medium backpack or trolley bag with a laptop bag are allowed at every flight. However, always confirm it with your airlines to avoid any difficulty at the airport.
Check-in Luggage: The big size luggage/suitcase that you can not carry with you in the aircraft cabin. It goes to the cargo hold of the aircraft. Always try to pack as light as you can. Again, check with your airlines regarding the weight and dimensions of the free check-in luggage. If your luggage limit will be beyond that, you have to pay extra fee for your luggage.
Allowed Limits: Baggage limits of allowed dimensions and weights vary from airline to airline. It also vary as per your ticket category. Always know your allowed baggage limit to avoid charges on excess baggage.
In India, most of the domestic airlines allowed 7 kgs cabin baggage and 15 kgs check-in baggage for domestic flights, while check-in baggage limit is 30 kgs in case of an international flight on most of the airlines. Sometimes, you may ask to pay for check-in baggage (even for 3-4 kgs, regardless of the minimum weight upto a certain weight limit), if you book ‘cabin-baggage only’ fares on the flights offered by the low cost airlines.
Leave Gifts unwrapped: If you are travelling with any gift pack, as far as possible, leave it unwrapped. If any security official wishes to inspect your packet, it would be easy to access and inspect. In turn, it saves your time at security checks.
Check the flight status
A good on-time performance is a big achievement for the airlines. But still, flight operations are dependent on the various other factors like weather and air traffic congestion. So, before leaving your home to the airport, please ensure that your flight is on-time, especially in the foggy weather at the airports like Delhi, when flight delays are frequent for the hours.
Check the arrangements at the destination: Though not necessary always, it is good to have a prior arrangement of airport transfer and hotel booking at your destination. You can also book these facilities online with the help of numerous booking portals.
4. Travel To The Departure Airport
Reach at the correct terminal
Sometimes, various terminals of an airport are located far away from each other. For example, at Delhi IGI airport, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 is approximately 7 kms away from each other. Similarly, various terminals at Moscow Shermeyato Airport are miles apart. Double check your terminals before leaving the home, so that you can reach at the right terminal for your flight. The terminal detail is normally mentioned at the ticket.
When I was going to catch my first flight of Air India from Delhi to Mumbai in 2005, I thought that the flight would operate from the domestic terminal-1. When I reached there, the security guard informed me that the flight was scheduled from terminal-2. Both terminals were 7 kms apart at that time and I hurriedly reached to the Terminal-2 in the late night. Even today I got regular calls from many friends asking about their flight terminal. So always make sure that you are going to depart from which terminal at the bigger airports.
How early should you reach?
Depending on the airport and the type of travel (Domestic/International). In case of domestic flight from smaller airports, you should reach at the airport at least one hour and thirty minutes prior to your flight departure time. In case of the airport like Srinagar and Leh, arrive at least two hours prior to the departure time. At the large airports like Delhi, during the peak morning hours, you should reach at least two hours and thirty minutes before the departure time of your flight.
In case of an International flight from the busy airports, it’s better to reach at least 3 hours prior to the departure time of your flight. At smaller International Airports, you should reach at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight.
Normally, in India, check-in counter closure time is 45 minutes (for domestic flights) and 60 minutes (for international flight) prior to the scheduled departure of a flight. Boarding gates closure time is normally 20 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. So, if you have check-in luggage, you should always try to reach the airport as early as possible. Please mind it that the airlines follow this time limit strictly.
5. At The Departure Airport Terminal
Entry procedures vary from airport to airport and country to country, but generally they all follow the same pattern of check-in (boarding card & luggage drop) , immigration and security check. There may be 2-3 layers of security checks inside a terminal depending on the threat assessment of that airport. At most of the airports, departure and arrival halls are separated from each other.
Entry inside the Terminal
In India, a copy of flight ticket with a valid identity proof (in original ) is required to show the security personnel at the entry gate of an airport. It can be a printed copy or a copy saved in your mobile. You can not enter an airport terminal without a valid flight ticket, except the visitors’ area of the arrival hall, where you can go after buying an Airport Entry Ticket. The Airports in the country like Russia, Egypt or Thailand may not ask for your flight tickets to enter in the terminal. It means, a person without a flight ticket can also enter in those terminals.
Baggage Screening
After entry in the terminal, you should look for the baggage screening X-Rays machines. Hand baggage need not to be screened, but check-in baggage should be screened and a sticker (screening done) should be placed on your baggage. Check-in counters do not accept baggage without this screening. After the screening, If you open your bag for any purpose, then you have to re-screened it again. This baggage screening is not required at many airports now a days.
Special Needs: If you have any type of difficulty at the airport, due to any reason, you can always seek the help from the airlines staff near the check-in counter. They may depute a dedicated staff to help you till the boarding. In case of genuine requirements, they are supposed to carry your cabin baggage also.
Check-in and Boarding Pass
The next step is to get your boarding pass for the flight. At every airport, many counters are there for this purpose. Almost every airlines has its own counter and sometimes major airlines also have a multiple counters at a single airport. A boarding pass contains information like name, flight details, seat number, flight gate, boarding time etc. You can’t board a flight unless you have a valid boarding pass.
After verifying your identity, the customer representatives at Check-in counters provide you a boarding pass. Airlines staff will check-in your bulky luggage and charge, if any extra fee will be required for your check-in baggage. For checked-in luggage, they stick a sticker on the back of your boarding pass. Please make sure that the number of bags (checked-in) and destination is mentioned correctly on that sticker.
Sometimes if you arrive early at the airport, the gate number of the flight may not be mentioned on your boarding pass (also, in case of the web check-in). In that case, keep a look on the LCD displays in the terminal area for the gate number of your flight. Gate number may also be changed at the last minute, even if it has been mentioned on the boarding pass.
Web Check-in
You can also opt for an online check-in, popularly known as web check-in. After web check-in, a boarding pass is issued online. The printed copy of that boarding pass is valid for entry into the terminal and further, to board a flight. If you travel with a cabin baggage only, try to check-in online or with your mobile phones As far as possible. You can also print your boarding pass after online check-in. This way, you can avoid the long queues at the airport check-in counters.
Luggage Drop
Most of the time, you check-in your luggage at check-in counters. But if you have already done web check-in, you can just go to the luggage drop counter (specifically marked as Luggage Drop) to hand over your check-in baggage.
During a domestic flight, after checking-in and getting the boarding pass; you are good to go for the next step, i.e. Security Check. But, there is one more step (Immigration) involved during the International Departure.
Immigration at Departure
For International flights only. Also known as the passport control. Sometimes, you have to fill a form (Departure Card) before proceeding to the passport control. At some places you can only proceed with your passport and boarding pass without filling the Departure Card.
If it’s a departure from your home country: At the immigration, they check your passport and visa for the destination country, may ask about your purpose of travel before stamping your passport with departure seal. In case, the destination is a visa-free country or offered a visa-on-arrival, you can inform them about the fact, if asked. They may also take your fingerprints scan to establish the identity with the central database.
If it’s a departure from the another country: Same procedure as the departure from the home country. They also check whether you have overstayed your visa or not.
6. Security Check
The last checkpoint is the security checkpoint. Near the security queue, put your electronic gadgets (mobile, camera, laptop, watch etc) in a tray. Sometimes, they may ask you to keep your jacket, boots (ankle-legnth boots), wallet etc in a tray. The trays and the cabin baggage pass through an X-Ray Scanner. You are supposed to pass through a metal detector. A security person performs a manual check with handheld metal detector. After thorough checking they put a security check stamp on the boarding pass and you are done. At some airports, this stamping part is not in practice. But, it’s mandatory in India at all the airports.
What are not allowed to carry?
Some items like power banks are allowed in a cabin baggage only. Some items like sharp objects are allowed in the check-in baggage only. You should know that what you can carry with you and what you can’t. This procedure may vary across the airlines, from the country to the country and from one airport to the another airport within a country. For example, I carried my shaving razor and scissor from India on a Saudia Airlines flight, but at the Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia, they asked me to remove the scissor before boarding the next flight to Cairo. Similarly, no cabin baggage (except ladies purse) are allowed on a flight at Leh or Srinagar Airport in India.
The list of items are gathered from the Air India website, that are not allowed to carry or allowed only with certain restrictions:
Items which cannot be carried in Hand Baggage
Personal Items: Lighters, Scissors-metal with pointed tips, Realistic replica of toy weapon.
Sharp Objects: Box Cutters, Ice Axes/Ice Picks, Knives (any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic cutlery), Meat Cleavers, Razor-type blades such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors, Sabres, Sword
Sporting Goods: Baseball Bats, Bows and Arrows, Cricket Bats, Golf Clubs, Hockey Sticks, Lacrosse Sticks, Pool Cues, Ski Poles, Spear Guns.
Guns and Firearms: Ammunition, BB guns, Compressed Air Guns, Firearms, Parts of Guns and Firearms, Pellet Guns, Realistic Replicas of Firearms, Starter pistols.
Tools: Axes and hatchets, Cattle Prods, Crowbars, Hammers, Drills (including cordless portables power drills), Saws (including cordless portable power saws), Screwdrivers (except those in eyeglass repair kits), Tools (including but not limited to wrenches and pliers), Wrenches and Pliers.
Martial Arts/Self Defense Items: Billy Clubs, Black Jacks, Brass Knuckles, Kubatons, Mace/Pepper Spray, Martial Arts Weapons, Night Sticks, Nunchakus, Martial Arts/Self Defense Items, Stun Guns/Shocking Devices, Throwing Stars
Items which cannot be carried in hand baggage and even as checked-in baggage
Explosive Materials: Such as Flare Guns, Gun Lighters and Gun Powder, Explosive material. Blasting caps, Dynamite, Fireworks, Flares (in any form), Hand Grenades, Plastic Explosives and Realistic Replicas of Explosives.
Compressed gases: Such as (deeply refrigerated, flammable, non-flammable and poisonous) Such as Butane, Oxygen, Liquid nitrogen and Aqualung cylinders. (deeply refrigerated, flammable, non-flammable and poisonous)
Flammable Items: Such as Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities), Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel), Gasoline, Gas Torches, Lighter Fluid, Strike anywhere matches, Turpentine and Paint Thinner, Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries
Oxidizing materials: Such as bleaching powder, peroxides
Poisonous and infectious substances: Such as insecticides, weed-killers and live virus materials.
Corrosives: Such as acids, alkalis, mercury, wet cell batteries (except those in wheelchairs), oven or drain cleaners
Other dangerous articles: Radio-active materials, Magnetized, offensive or irritating materials. Briefcases and attaché cases with installed alarm devices
Restricted Items: Certain other items such as the following may be carried only with advance approval according to policies of Air India, interlining carriers and local regulations:
Battery-powered wheelchairs with spillable/non-spillable batteries, dry ice, portable medical electronic devices etc.
Points to note
(Source: Air India Website)
1. Make sure you know your hand baggage allowance and the latest restrictions on carriage of certain items in your hand baggage.
2. Make sure you take medication, important documents, valuable items and cash in your hand baggage.
3. Do not carry packages with unidentified contents on behalf of other people.
4. Do not accept any packets from unknown persons.
5. Make sure you declare before checking-in, if carrying any arms or explosive substances. Concealment is an offence under the Aircraft Act and Rules.
6. Battery cells in any electrical / electronic items are permissible now & will now not be removed at the security point. Loose battery cells / dry cells carried in the hand baggage are liable to be removed and the airline would not be in a position to hand over the same at the destination. Please carry the same in the checked baggage.
Water Bottles: Water bottles are also not allowed at any security checkpoint. It’s better to carry an empty water bottle, that you can fill inside the terminal after passing the security checkpoint. You can board a flight with that bottle.
Power Banks: Power banks are allowed only in cabin baggage.
Food Items: Some airlines restrict the carriage of personal food on-board. But, you can carry light refreshments to use in a flight.
7. Proceed Towards The Aircraft (Boarding)
Baggage Identification
Not a common procedure. Only at some defence airports like Leh, Sri Nagar in India, you are supposed to proceed to baggage identification area to identify your checked-in baggage just before boarding the flight. Just look at your baggage and inform the staff there. They put a mark on the boarding pass and also on the baggage that the identification is done. This is necessary from the security point of view at these highly sensitive airports.
Final Boarding
Whether mentioned on the boarding pass or not, just confirm the gate number of your flight from the many LCD displays installed at the terminal. Proceed to the gate. During the boarding, the airlines staff again check your boarding pass.
Depending on the parking gate, you may just walk in to the aircraft through the connected aerobridge. Sometimes, you are supposed to wait near the departure gate, so that an airlines bus can carry you to the departing flight.
8. Arrival At The Destination
Before proceeding further, an appeal to every traveller. I think, it’s a worldwide practice, but please do not stand up in a queue just after the landing, while the aircraft is still taxiing. I never understand that why the people stand up in a queue despite the repeated appeals from the cabin crew, when they reach at the destination, while aircraft is not yet parked. At most, it’s only a matter of 10-15 more minutes.
Before disembarking the plane, do not forget to carry your cabin baggage from the overhead bins. Depending on the parking gate, you may just walk in the arrival hall through the aerobridge attached to the aircraft. Sometimes, you are supposed to wait outside on the ramp area after leaving the aircraft (with attached ladders). A airlines bus carry you to the arrival hall of the terminal in that case.
Luggage Collection
Your cabin crew may announce the conveyor belt number, from where, you can pick your check-in luggage. If not, you can get this information from the LCD display in the arrival hall. Proceed to the conveyor belt and collect your luggage.
After collecting your baggage, just walk to the terminal exit in case of the domestic flight. In case of the international flight, two more clearances, The Immigration and the Customs Clearance are also required.
Immigration Clearance
Just like the departure, the arrival terminal also has the Immigration desks for International Arrivals. The immigration section is also known as the Passport Control. Immigration Officers check your passport and visa. They may enquire about the purpose of the travel and may also take your photograph and finger print scans. They may ask for the additional documents (return flight ticket, hotel reservations, proof of adequate finances like credit card statement, bank statement etc).
These procedures vary form country to country, but more or less, they all follow the same procedures. Then, they stamp your passport with immigration seal, which normally have information about the date of entry or upto what duration you are permitted to stay in that country as per your visa eligibility.
Customs Clearance
Every country has two channels for the customs clearance. One is Green Channel and another one is Red Channel. If you have any declared goods (Jewellery, High Valued imported items etc) , then you have to pass through the Red Channel. If you don’t have any declared goods (that don’t attract any customs duty), then you can simply walk through the Green Channel. The declared goods requirements and related customs duties vary from one country to another.
You should know about the permissible limit of duty-free items ( Liquor, Cigarette, Currency, Electronic items etc) before passing through the Green Channel. If you walk through the Green Channel intentionally/unintentionally without paying required duty, you are liable for prosecution as well as high penalty. It’s a criminal offence. At some airports, you are supposed to put your luggage under an X-Ray Scanner in the Green Channel also.
9. Exit The Terminal
After clearing the customs formalities, you are free to exit from the terminal with all your luggage. There are many pre-paid counters for the buses and cabs at the airport. You may avail their services. Many airports have taxi stands outside the terminal area, where you can walk and negotiate on the prices to get a better deal.
Also, Know your rights as a passenger
Last, but not the least, you should always know your consumer rights as an airline’s passenger in case of flight delays, baggage mishandling or any unwanted situations.
I hope that you can board your first flight without any fear or any kind of hesitation. Please, Let me know if you find any other point that I forgot to mention here.
Hello it’s my first tour from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad should I need any passport for domestic flights
No. You don’t need passport to fly domestic.
Hi, I booked a ticket of Indigo airlines for me and my wife but due to some problem I am unable to travel so is it possible that my wife can travel on that ticket as her name include in ticket? Also can some other person travel on behalf of my ticket?
Hi, Nobody can travel on behalf of you, and yes, your wife can travel on that ticket with her ID documents.
My mom has booked my domestic flights within India using her credit card on Indigo airlines. The airlines website says that customers may be required to present the credit card or a photo copy of the card used to pay (copied below). What are my options in case they ask for the credit card to be presented? I will have my US passport with me for photo ID.
Important Information: In addition to valid photo identification customers may be required to present the credit\debit card or a photo copy of card used to pay for their booking, at check-in.
Yes, They may ask for that. Please arrange a scan copy of the credit card. If possible, also arrange a scan copy of the signed undertaking letter stating that the payment against this ticket is done by the credit card number belonging to …(your mom). This will help you a lot. All airlines are not strict about the credit card copy. I have booked many tickets for my friends using my credit card, and they never had any problem. But, one of my friend faced problems during check-in with Indigo Airlines at Delhi Airport, because of this issue. They are authorise to ask it anytime, so better to have the copy in advance.
I have purchase ticket from kolkata to port blair, I have booked a ticket named Mina Shasmal, but in ID proof there is Shasmal Mina, Is it make any probleme. Or need for correction???
You don’t need any correction. Its perfectly OK.
i booked a ticket with air india and have entered a wrong date of birth as what is in my id proofs..will it be a problem?
If age difference is not much and name at the ticket is matching with the ID proof, there shouldn’t be any problem. 🙂
Also in addition to my previous question, what are important things i should remember as a first time flyer!
Pl reply as soon as possible.
Hello,
I am travelling for the first time from Bangalore to Jaipur to attend a three day exam with Air costa airlines. I am planning to take a laptop bag along with small luggage bags having total weight less than 15 kg. can i take these two bags with me in cabin?, if yes what are things i should not kept in bag to allow it as cabin luggage? also if i am not allow to kept these bags in cabin what are the things i need to follow for check – in type and whether check – in option is safe as i have admit card and all other important things, and from where i can get my luggage after landing at Jaipur. Is their is any other security check i have to follow at jaipur.
Waiting for your reply!
Thanks you in advance.
Hi, As per Air Costa Baggage Policy, only 7 kgs of hand baggage is allowed in the cabin. Additionally, you can carry a laptop (without bag) also. Now, it depends on the check-in staff, whether they allow both the bags inside the cabin or not. Since, you have small bags, they may allow it in the cabin. If they will not allow, then also you can surely carry your laptop bag with you. Keep all important document in the laptop bag. Your another bag will be in the cargo hold as a checked-in baggage. Just hand over that bag to the guy on check-in counter. He will do the needful. After landing at Jaipur, go to the relevant conveyor belt to get your bag and come out from the airport. No security check at Jaipur. Hope this answer will help you. Have a nice trip and good luck for the exam. 🙂
Thanks
I have purchase a ticket of 6 person from kolkata to port blair. But unfortunately I have done a mistake to spell a name. I spell Nemai Shasmal instead of Nemai Sasmal.
Will it harassed at the time of boarding?
That is OK. You shouldn’t get any problem because of that.
Thanks…..
Hi i have lost my all documents and only have my student identity card with photograph in it isof govt college but very old whn i was studying so now can i show this as identity proof or else should i create a bank certificate from the one where i am holding my account.
Hi, Old college ID will not work. Better to get a bank passbook from a national bank, affix your photo and put a bank stamp on the pic. It will work as a valid photo id proof.
If you don’t have a surname you can not travel via flight in India no Airline allows to book ticket without a surname.However Indian laws do not force a person to have a surname.If you do not believe me go and book an airline ticket without a surname (just do not proceed with payment part)
Hi, You can write Mr./Mrs./Kumari instead of the first name. Else, you can write your name in both column, first name as well as last name.
We booked a ticket on indian airlines fromm New delhi to Jammu so how to know which terminals is ours___???
Hi, Indian Airlines (now Air India) is flying from Terminal 3 (all domestic as well as international flights) of Delhi International Airport. You should go to Terminal 3, which is also the International Terminal.
Sir I’m first time traveling in flight , I have taken ticket by online, but the problem is my full name is arun Kumar Singh as per documents and in ticket my name is only arun singh , so wants known that is there any while boarding
Its perfectly fine. You can travel with your ticket and ID proof.
me my wife and my two sons are travelling in spice jet flight from new delhi to goa what are the documents required for my sons there age are three and a half years and seven years please assit..
Birth Certificates are good, but if they don’t have any documents, they can still travel with their parents without any document.
I booked 8 airtickets in indigo airlines for me and my family…can we exchenge our seats or do we need to sit in our seats?
Hi, eight members of the family can exchange their seats among themselves. You can also take a vacant seat on the airplane, once it is in the air. For courtsey, you can request to the air hostess before occupying the vacant seat of the plane, it is OK otherwise also.
Thank you..:-)
Next month I am going to mumbai from kerala in indigo airlines.it is my first flight and can u say the procegures that should be followed
Hi, I already answered a similar query of Prashanth on Feb.17, 2014. Please check that answer. It will solve your query also. Have a nice trip.
Ok…fine
Hi friend i hav pancard and icici bank atm thats it acpected thid dociments
Yes, these are accepted as ID documents.
first time i am have bought indigo airline ticket online.(from kolkata to ahmedabad). me,my wife .but i did a mistake. my name is sanjoy mondal, wife name is uma mondal. but my wife’s all id card named uma halder, which is before marriage i card.. my question is if i take marriage cirtificate with her old id card, indigo authority will allow us for boarding?
Don’t worry. You can travel with marriage certificate.
Hi, what if there is no marriage certificate? I am stuck in a situation like this, flight is Air India
Why do you need a Marriage Certificate. If other Photo IDs are available, then there is no need for a marriage certificate.
can i know how to check because this my frst time?
Hi, for domestic check-in, just go to the counter of your airline. Show them your printed ticket and identity card, they will issue a boarding pass with aircraft gate number and your seat number. After that,you have to pass through the security check to board your flight.
We are planning to travel to Bangalore along with family member. For ID proof of my son who is 16 years old are having 10th class CBSE examination admit card issued by college principal in Feburary 2014 bearing attested photos by principal as well having the name of mother and father. Kindly inform us that this admit card of my son considered as ID proof. However college has also issued the photo Identity card in the year 2004 when he was studying in KG standard.
Hi, he can travel with you on a domestic flight with these documents.
Iam travelling with my 1.5 months old baby by go air flight from delhi to portblair…..i have birth certificate but no name is written in birth certificate ….only date of birth and name of father and mother written…
is in case of infants name in birth certificate is complusary??????
what documents shuld I carry ?????
That birth certificate is fine. You don’t require another document.
My son will be traveling from Mumbai to Mangalore. Can he use his US driving license as ID, since his pass port will be in US consulate at that time. Is xerox of Passport will do ?
Please advise.
Yes, Xerox of Passport will work. and if he have a Driving License (Even from US), it will be an extra advantage.
can i wear more gold jewellerys and travel in domestic flight? will i have problem in security check because of wearing more gold ? plz reply ?
No, you shouldn’t have any problem in a domestic flight. There is no defined rules for domestic flights, but too much is too much. Sometimes, domestic gold merchants indulge in the transport of huge stocks between cities, via small domestic airports to avoid VAT and other taxes, so they raise suspicions. Just take care of your gold 🙂
hi..i have booked my air ticket in indigo while booking online i typed my home address wrongly with spilling mistake while in my voter id given home address is different..will it create a problem for me ? plz gve me ur valuable comment….
If your name at the air ticket is correct and as per your id proof, address is not an issue. Enjoy your journey. 🙂
Thanks a lot…Tke cre
what is the maxi allowable cabin baggage weight for different air line operated in india.
Normally, it is 7 kgs for all airlines except 8 kgs for Air India and 10 kgs for GoAir.
Iam travelling with my 9months old baby by indigo flight from Hyderabad to goa
But she does not have birth certificate
what documents shuld I carry for her
Nothing..She can travel with her parents without any documents at this stage.
First of all thank you very much explained in detailed domestic airtravels process.
I have booked ticket from Lucknow to Chennai (SpiceJet: Lucknow to Delhi and then same SpiceJet: Delhi to Chennai)
Lucknow to Delhi: SG518 then connects to Delhi to Chennai: SG315
i have following doubts can you please clear me.
1) What is the difference between connects to and Change Planes in New Delhi?
2) I need to change flight in Delhi (SG315)?
3) If yes for above question2 during that time I need to take my luggage back in Delhi and do again check in?
3) Seat no allotted in Lucknow itself till Chennai?
Hi, I don’t have a clear idea, but I think you have to change the aircraft in Delhi (MakeMyTrip website doesn’t mention it, but it is mentioned on Spicejet website). However, you can check-in your luggage directly to Chennai from Lucknow. Seat Number should also be allotted upto Chennai from Lucknow only. But, if they don’t allow it, then you have the sufficient time to collect your luggage and catch the next flight from Delhi.
i wish to carry my DSLR Camera & lenses with me in the cabin luggage. Whether it is allowed ?
It is allowed, unless dimensions of the bag is not too large and fulfilled the criteria of cabin baggage weight.
sir my aunt is having andhrabank passbook..does it act as identity id????
Hi, if photograph is also there, then she can travel with the passbook.
I don’t have full surname in any ID Proof., I have only first letter of my surname, while ticket booking they asked full surname., if i enter my full surname is this acceptable in while airport entry check-in..? or else i have to produce my full surname’s identity proof?
Hi, Do you have any ID proof with full surname, that you can produce? What is the name written at your ID proof?
I want to just see aeroplane in Mumbai sahar airport. What is process . Is there any ticket available like railway platform ticket.
Hi, You can’t do that, unless you are flying from Mumbai. Earlier there was a visitor’s entry ticket (I think, its discontinued now), but that was also not sufficient to help you in the aeroplane sighting. Best way to sight an aeroplane is outside the airport near the landing path. You can see them closely while they approach at very low height to land on the runway at the airport.
If i have enter my first name spelling wrong at the time of booking an air ticket
What is the procedure for changing it
You can change your name with the customer care of the airlines. Normally, they correct name upto 3 letters only.
i missed my all ID proofs & ATM with my purse. next month i am going to mumbai to madurai spicejet flight. now i have only my SBI bank passbook only. what can i do..? SBI passbook accepted in spicejet…
Yes, you can use a bank passbook of SBI, provided there is a photo on that. If photo is not there, go to the branch, paste your passport-size photo and asked them to put a bank stamp. It will act as a photo id proof.
Is there any separate terminal domestic in ahmedabad
Yes,Terminal 1 is the separate domestic terminal at Ahmedabad airport.
Hi, I just bought a domestic ticket within Inidia – Mumbai to Udaipur. I thought I had triple checked everything – but when the ticket came by email, my middle name is not on there. I confirmed with AI and they can’t see it either. All of my ID (PIO, passport, etc.) shows my middle name. So in essence, ticket is booked as, say, John Smith, while all my ID says John Adam Smith. Is it going to be a problem to get inside the airport, or to get checked in/boarded on my AI flight?
Hi, Its not a big deal. You will be allowed to board a flight. For example, my full name is Avanish Kumar Maurya, also in my all identity documents, but I booked tickets with the first and last name only i.e. Avanish Maurya, and I never faced any problem.
hello sir
me planed to travel from bangalore to mangalore for a first time so m scared because i dont know anything regarding flights and air port procedures so can i get any tips from your side plzz……….
Hi, after reaching the airport, we generally go through these 3-steps to board a flight:
1. Check-in : After entering in the airport terminal, proceed directly to the check-in counter of your airline with the printed ticket. They will check your ID proof and issue a boarding card, that contains information of the departure gate and seat number inside the flight. If you have a big bag, then you can be asked to deposit that bag there (you will get that back at your destination), otherwise you can proceed with your small bag to the next step. Don’t forget to collect the tags for each bag to put the security stamp later.
2. Security Check : There is designated queues for security check. Proceed in that queue. Put your bag in the X-Ray scanner. Also remove the jacket, mobile, laptop and other electronic items to put them in a tray near the scanner. That tray will also pass through the scanner. The security personnel will put a “security check completed” stamp on the tags of each bag and also on your boarding pass. Now, move to the third step, towards the departure gate.
3. Proceed through the Boarding Gates: Proceed towards the boarding gate printed on your boarding pass. Lookout at the information display. When boarding starts, it will show the status as “Boarding”. Either you have to go the plane via a gate or by a bus.
Watch out the fellow passengers and do accordingly. There will be lot of airline staff to help you promptly. Don’t hesitate to ask any help. Have a safe and nice flight.
how much we should pay for travel insurance .. and who will give that to us???
Hi, You can buy Travel insurances online from any insurance company, that offers this service. Better to compare many plans at the websites like policybazaar. The price of insurance generally depends on the number of days in your travel, your destination and coverage points of the policy. A good travel insurance in India generally costs about INR 1200 for 15 days travel to the developing nations say South East Asia.
Hi Sir I have only online color printout of my aadhar card & have ration card
can i use in travel
Yes, you can use them for domestic travel.
sir, i am traveling from delhi to mangalore. i want to take water of ganga(gangajal) .it is about 2 liters..is it allowed.if yes how to take it? waiting for your reply
Hi, It depends on the airline as well as security personnel on duty. Sometime, they allow water bottles in a cabin baggage. Mostly they don’t. So, the best way to put that Gangajal bottle in your check-in baggage. It is allowed in a check-in baggage.
Hello,
I’m travelling with one laptop bag and one more bag with luggage. Can I keep both bags in the cabin? if the bulky bag is not allowed inside, will I get any receipt for collecting it back at the destination? Please advise.
Hi, You can request at check-in counter to carry that bag in cabin. It should not be bulky or heavy. If they don’t allow you, let them take it as a check-in baggage. They give you a receipt. At the destination, you can collect that bag from the baggage belt. An airline representative may ask for the receipt to match it with a tag on the baggage, that you are the right owner.
Thank you.. 🙂
children’s free travel age limit. my daughter age is 5 years need ticket.
There is no age consideration for free travels in the flights. All passengers are classified in three categories by the airlines: Infant, Child and Adult. Generally, An infant is classified as one below 2 years of age, a child is classified as between 2 and 12 years of age and an adult is anyone over the age of 12 years. An infant is also subject to some charges as per airlines policies, e.g., SpiceJet normally charges Rs. 1000 for an infant.
Hi. Can I use my aadhar card or college I’d for domestic travel??
Hi, You can use Aadhar card or college id for domestic travel. Lucky you are to get your Aadhar card. I am waiting from last 8 months 🙁 . Have a nice trip 🙂
thank u 🙂
n well we have to wait at times..
Hi, I am planning a trip to Kathmandu from New Delhi with my wife & 1.5 year child. For my son I don’t have a passport & even his birth certificate is without name but have our names(i.e parents name) Would there a problem at the airport or in Nepal?
Thanks well in advance.
Hi Arush, you can fly through the Indian Airports on that birth certificate. I have any NO idea about Nepal. Probably, it should work there also.
My mother’s name is Kamalamma N. While booking I have splited the name as Kamala Amma N. due to surname is mandatory. Whereas Voter ID can/Adhar Card showing Name Kamalamma N. please let me know if any problem. I booked ticket for domestic flight..
There shouldn’t be any problem. She can travel on a domestic flight. Airlines generally understand that such kind of errors are unavoidable, so you shouldn’t worry about this.
Thank u
I have valid id proof like voter id card but my wife have only one address verification certificate with photo on it which is attested by a gazetted officer. We both have one single ticket mentioning both of us. Whether this verification certificate will be ok as an ID proof for my wife.
Yes, you both can travel with these documents. Have a nice trip 🙂 .
thanks dear
Is passport require for domestic travelling?
No, Passport is not required for domestic travelling. Any government ID proof document is enough.
I need urgent suggestion. My niece came to India (2 child age 8 and 5) chennai and kept there passport at chennai. Now they came to bhopal via train. Due to urgency they have to go back to chennai but both child don’t have any photo ID proof. I have booked jetconnect flight for 2 child and for myself. I have valid ID proof, but they don’t have. My question is what kind of photo ID proof I have to show for the 2 child
Hi, Do you have any kind of ID proof for them? However, small children are normally allowed to travel with their parents/guardians without any ID proof, if the parents/guardians have their own ID proof.
No they dont have any ID proof
No Problem, They can still travel with their guardian.
Thank u Sir
SIR,-MY-SON-HAS-COMPLETED-THE-AGE-OF-2-AND-HALF.,THE-NAME-used-in-BOOKING-RAHULDEEP-BUT-IN-BIRTH-CERTIFICATE-the-name-is-NOT-RECORDED,Is-this-make-problem-in-domestic-travelling-mother-is-also-travelling-with
He can travel with his mother without any problem.
i have driving license and pan card duplicate copy..is it ok to travel in domestic flight?
You mean duplicate copy of both or only PAN card? If you have original license then you can travel. Generally they don’t accept duplicate copy. Try to get it attested from any gazetted officer, then you can try with that attested copy. I am not sure, but you should allowed with an attested copy.
Sir, my name is Chetak, while my flight booking my agent makes it Chetan , Can i travel in jet airways with that ticket pls inform me.
Officially you are not allowed. Why don’t you ask your booking agent for another ticket, since it is not your mistake. Otherwise speak to the Jet Airways and ask their opinion. You can also change the name on the ticket after paying some extra bucks. However, there is slight chance that the customer service guy may issue a boarding pass in hurry at the check-in counter, since the spellings of Chetan and Chetak is very similar.
I booked the tickets for domestic travel (Coimbatore to Delhi) in Indigo Flight and did a mistake in traveller’s name(spelling & last name). But i have Bank Passbook ID Proof with same name what i gave during booking. Is this proof is valid for Boarding flight? Please Clarify
If your Bank is a nationalised bank and Passbook has your photo, then it can be accepted as a valid photo id proof to board a domestic flight.
Hi, we r planing to visit chennai on coming march wid our parents. for that purpose is a recently opening bank account (without any update), a cenior citizen card or a PRC is acceptable in case of our parents above 60yrs?
Hi, You can go ahead with a bank passbook with attached photo or a senior citizen card.
thank u…
Hello Admin, i will be travelling to Lucknow diz february….. can i take guitar and my laptop with me to flight? i mean are these instruments allowed inside flight…. 15kg is what my luggage will be apart from that whats the maximum luggage allowed inside flight per person??????
Hi, Please check it with your airlines. You can carry laptop inside the flight. And guitar, they may not allow it inside the plane , if it exceeded a certain length (I guess, 22 inch). Just check it with the airline. Some airlines ask for extra handling fee for the guitar. and I also heard that some people travelled with their guitar to get it in broken state at the destination in India. :-). Don’t worry about extra luggage. If they will think that this is exceeding the limit, they will charge for the extra luggage.That’s it.
My daughter is travelling with two children (age 6 and <2 years) and a maid of 16 years. Whether single ID proof of my daughter is sufficient.
For small children, ID proof of the mother is sufficient to travel. Does your maid has any type of identity proof?
My son is 23 months old. This Dec. we are planning to visit Andaman. But unfottunately I had lost his Berth certificate. How shall I proof him as infant? Can I get a Doctor or Local MLA certificate?
You can take a birth certificate from the Doctor. Local MLA certificate is also helpful.
May i know pls what is the bagage weight limit for domestic air travel like indigo or spicejet.
For all domestic carriers like Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo, GoAir and Spicejet, Check-in Baggage limit is 15 kg. All of them reduces this limit from earlier 20 kgs in 2013. Apart from that, you can also carry a cabin baggage (upto 8 kgs) plus laptop bag without any charge.
It was helpful for me……….. Thanx Admin……………
thanks for your valuable informations
hi..i have a receipt of my Adhar card and also my college identity card is it a valid proof to fly domestic
Yes, you can travel with these documents..
My son is 3 yrs old, we don’t have any photo id, is he can travel with parents with Birth cetificate
Yes, Birth certificate will be enough, if he is accompanied by the parents.
my mother has a nationalised bank passbook with a photo in it . is it enough while travelling in a domestic flight across india? please reply me urgently . tomorrow early morning flight
Yes, A passbook from a nationalised bank with a photo on it is a valid identity proof.
Hi.. My brother has College ID, Bank Pass Book, Ration Card. Is it accepted as ID Proof for the Air Travel in India (New Delhi)
Will there be any issues if not had the other IDs? Kindly reply to sow127@rediffmail.com
Must the photocopies needed must be attested?
Yes, all three are accepted as ID proof, provided that they have a photo of your brother. There will be no issues. Airlines staff or Airport Security don’t need any type of photocopies. You have to produce the ID proofs in original.
what id proof is required for the school going students aged13 to 17
Hi Archana, For school going students, you can rely on a Ration Card or School Identity Card..Airport Security generally accept it for flying in domestic sector.
thanks a lot for the valuable informations
Hi, I need to take my domestic help by air but she has no ID documents. How can I enable her travel by air.
Hi Nipun,
She can travel with an identity certificate issues by a local M.P./M.L.A./D.M./S.D.M.etc..But there must be some kind of identification documents. Without that, check-in (even entering in the airport) is not allowed at all.
Good information for reader . every one should read these article before traveling.
Thanks for all valuable points.
My friend from Delhi pressing me to visit him. Till now I pulled my nose to travel, but reading this article about all the “rules” within flying, I guess I’m planning my trip to India:) Thx for the informations!
India is an incredible destination IIdi…You are always welcome here..
Many thanks for the information, will use by all means next time!