Operations at the full-service Kingfisher Airlines will continue as normal.

India’s Civil Aviation guidelines state no airline can refuse to carry persons with disability or persons with reduced mobility provided such persons inform the airline of their requirement at the time of booking or check-in for travel. Playing by the following rules will help you avoid a refusal of service by the airlines of India:

Jet Airways:

Assistance with directions, navigating the terminals, and wheelchair use is available. Persons traveling without a service animal must be accompanied by a seeing co-passenger.

Service animals are accepted on International flights and flights within India, subject to the following conditions:

•   The guest with the disability and the service dog may travel in any class, subject to seat assignment complying with safety regulations.
•    The guest is required to carry a mat (moisture absorbent), appropriate food for the animal and a container for water.
•    It is recommended that the animal be muzzled in the cabin.
•    The moisture absorbent mat must be placed on the floor near the seat where the animal will sit.
•    All government regulations for uplift, transit and disembarking stations are to be complied with regarding the carriage of the animal (certification of vaccinations, entry permits etc. as required by the country of disembarkation).
•    The animal should not obstruct access to an emergency exit or aisle.

IndiGo

Guide dogs for blind customers are allowed, but any customer traveling with a guide dog should make his/her reservation via the IndiGo Call Center and provide us notice that a guide dog will be traveling. Please note that guide dogs for the blind may not occupy any seat.  The customer is required to bring a moisture absorbent mat, and to place it under the guide dog.  Further, the guide dog should be properly trained, restrained and muzzled.

Kingfisher

Assistance is available at the airport. Persons with special needs must inform the reservation agent at the time of booking. Specific rules for guide dogs is not provided. An accompanying seeing passenger may be required for travel.

SpiceJet

•    Guests who are not self reliant (capable of taking care of all their physical needs independently in-flight) must travel with a ticketed companion for assistance.
•    SpiceJet would request visually impaired guests to check-in early for their flight (approximately 2-3 hours before flight departure) to ensure a smooth flight experience.
•    If assistance is required within the airport, please identify your needs at check-in or at the time of booking. SpiceJet will be able to extend a meet and assist service to the guest to help in boarding, deplaning and also during flight connections.
•    Visually impaired guests traveling with a guide dog should make his/her reservation via the SpiceJet Call Centre and provide us notice that a guide dog will be traveling. Please note that guide dogs for the blind may not occupy any seat. The Customer is required to bring a moisture absorbent mat to place it under the guide dog. Further, the guide dog should be properly trained, restrained and muzzled. A meet and assist service can be provided, if assistance is required at departure and on arrival.

Air India

•    A dog trained to lead the blind, which accompanies the passenger with impaired vision will not be carried unless proper permits are obtained for entry into the country or territory of destination and countries of transit, where such permits are required.
•    All permits are required to be presented at the time of reservation.
•    The dog must be properly harnessed and muzzled.
•    The dog may be carried in the passenger cabin or in the hold depending upon the individual country’s regulations as well as size of the dog.
•    The dog shall not be permitted to occupy a seat.
•    The dog will be carried free of charge in addition to the normal free baggage allowance.
•    If any country or territory on the route prohibits the entry of dogs, carriage will be refused.
•    All formalities required by the government authorities at the destination/transit stations are complied with.
•    On long haul and non-stop flights, Pets/Dog in the passenger compartment or hold is not permitted.

Below are the steps you can take for making a claim, and get paid for recovering lost or delayed baggage at the airport as I discovered:

What Do I Do?

1. Don’t panic.

Although you are in a foreign country, the airline employees who will assist in filing a claim and retrieving any lost luggage are multi-lingual. Not only do they speak English, they speak Hindi and several other regional languages of India. This allows you to speak with nearly any contact involved in locating your baggage.

2. Don’t get angry.

Remember you are in India, a land that for all intents and purposes is a peaceful country. Locals may raise their voice, wobble their heads and argue a point ad naseum, yet they don’t take kindly to the same behavior from tourists. Keep your hands off your hips, don’t cross your arms in a closed position against your chest, speak in a calm manner, don’t point, don’t throw your other bags around in disgust and don’t swear.

3. Find an airline representative.

Because all international flights arrive within a 4 hour window at the 5 largest airports of India, numerous airline representatives can easily be found within the baggage claim area. Locate a representative from the airline flight to India which you were last a passenger on. I.E. If traveling from the USA  on Delta, but transferred to Air France in Paris, you will be looking for an Air France representative. Ask him/her to assist you with the lost luggage procedure.

How Does it Work?

1. Complete a Claim Form

The airline representative will get you to the proper lost luggage desk. From here you will be aided in the completion of a Lost Baggage Claim. Besides general contact information, have the following information handy:

Bag: Color, Style, Brand

Combination to lock (If applicable)

Flight #, Flight Date, Class of service (Coach/Business) & Ticket #

Luggage Claim Tag (Provided from the originating airport ticket desk)

Temporary address in India (Hotel, Guest House, Friend or family home)

Temporary contact #

2. After the Form

Once the form is completed, ensure that any temporary contact information is correct. This should be the location you will be for the next 48 hours. Individual airlines operate one flight to India per day. Your luggage, if located, will therefore not arrive at the earliest until the following day. The airline will courier the bag(s) to the temporary address. If you are in transit upon arrival into India, lost luggage will be transferred to the next location and couriered (if possible) to the temporary address on file at the final destination.

3. Ask Questions

This is the best time to obtain as much information as possible from the representative as passengers cannot reenter the airport after exiting. Ask for a card and/or any contact information of the representative as well as the local office. Ask for a follow up plan if lost luggage does not arrive on the next flight. Get a copy of ALL paperwork and keep in a safe place.

Now What?

1. Get Some Sleep

You will be given a small kit containing some very essential items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and other misc toiletries. You may be able to obtain further items from the hotel front desk (if applicable).

2. Go Shopping, Save Receipts

Save any receipts for items you bought as a result of lost or delayed luggage. This would include clothing, toiletries, accommodation, food, etc.

3. Retrieve & Check Luggage

Luggage will be delivered directly to the temporary address on file. If staying at a hotel or other accommodation, the courier will drop at the lobby. Ensure all items are inside the bag immediately. You will need to file an additional claim for any missing items.

My luggage was delivered at the time promised directly to the hotel lobby in Delhi. It was shrink-wrapped for security purposes which aided in keeping the contents safe.

4. Get Paid

Once you arrive home you should submit your receipts along with a brief letter explaining any purchases as a result of the lost or delayed luggage. A contact address will be provided with the paperwork as well as a time line for submission.

I submitted receipts for clothing (new undershirt, shirt and socks) plus two nights at a local hotel since my plans were not to stay in Delhi. Within 10 days of submission a letter from Air France was received confirming my expenses. Within 4 days from this letter, a reimbursement check for $197 arrived.

What Can I Do To Prevent This From Happening to Me?

The reasons a bag may be lost or delayed are numerous. The following are suggestions on how to best prepare in case of a delay:

1. Mark Your Bag Well

-Use a baggage strap to help your luggage stick out from the crowd.

-Place a baggage ID inside any checked bags.

2. Pack Smart

Pack any essential toiletries needed as well as a change of clothes in a carry-on bag. Remember to follow the airline security rules for liquids and sharp objects. All prescribed medications should be packed in this bag to avoid any medical complications. All electronics should be included in this bag. Money, credit cards, ID and any travel documents should also accompany this bag. Make a list of all items you must have if your luggage was lost or delayed upon arrival to India. These items should be in a airline size approved carry-on bag.

3. Be Prepared

Have all contact information readily available upon arrival to India. This includes any travel agency contact person, hotel, driver, or onward flight information.

4. Don’t Worry

Really, don’t. It won’t do any good and your bag will most likely arrive the following day.

In-Bound Flight

As you deplane, follow the signs for Customs and Baggage Claim. Unfortunately the new terminal comes with a very long walk to reach immigration services. Fortunately the journey is eased with moving sidewalks, a feature not seen or even needed in T3′s predecessor. Wall to wall carpet dampens the noise of weary travelers as they make their way down the long corridor. Clean, western toilets are available along the way. Escalators bring passengers down into the immigration hall with ample room now for multiple flight overlap. No longer is there an issue of passengers backing up the staircase/escalator as before due to space constraints.

Bright lights mixed with glass ceilings allowing for natural light illuminate the immigration hall, bouncing off the over-sized sculpture hands set in traditional religious Indian poses. Double the immigration agents and desks now welcome tourists into the country. With stamped passport in hand, passengers proceed to the right into baggage claim. Luggage turnstiles line this equally-as-bright hall which can easily accommodate the influx of international flights nightly.

Modern western toilets are more promptly found through this area, a welcome sight after the long search it once took in the former baggage area. Once reunited with baggage, travelers may now exit via one way by following the signs marked Exit/Parking/Taxi. Rental car services, currency exchange services, lost baggage services, food vendors and more are lined along the exit wall. Keep in mind there is no re-entry past this point.

The procedure of handing over the immigration stub received just minutes earlier in the immigration hall is still in practice. Some personal ask for it while others breeze past without a word. Enormous glass walls welcome visitors to India. Waiting drivers, family members or hotel personnel can be found here. As with the old terminal, non-ticketed passengers may not enter this area. Proceed to taxi’s here or to the multi-level parking garage.

Out-Bound Flight

One level above the arrivals exit is the near blinding departures area. Flood lights coat the pavement ensuring a visible way to the entry doors. Cars jockey for position nearest the doorways via two directions. The inner lanes are reserved for taxis and VIP vehicles while the outer lane is for public vehicles. Either way signs clearly mark the correct airline doorways. And as before, only ticketed passengers are allowed into the ticketing hall so be prepared to say farewell from this point. Passengers must show proof of ticket or itinerary to gain access into the airport.

Passengers are no longer troubled with the old system of strapping luggage immediately upon entry. Welcome to a high-ceiling, glass front, brightly lit ticketing hall with impeccably polished floors that is as modern as any IT campus in South India. Flat screen monitors lining the outer wall display airline ticket counters by numbered lanes. The ticketing system is standard from this point.

Passengers proceed toward Immigration and security after ticketing. This is the last chance to exchange and currency. Also no food or beverage items beyond this point. Be prepared for wands, hands and a few questions in security. Remember to get all carry-on item tags stamped before leaving security.

A very well designed Duty Free shopping area welcomes passengers into the waiting area. Aside from this shopping jackpot, travelers will find other boutique shops, sundry stores, cafes and restaurants, recharging stations and more. The color palette for this area was perfectly chosen as passengers seem genuinely comfortable and happy. Carpeting keeps noise within a normal limit. And shop lights dazzle against the glass walls. This is actually a great place for last minute gift ideas bearing in mind the pricing is a tad higher.

Lounges are located on the second floor but require either payment or coupon provided by the airline upon check-in. The new layout is more open then in the previous terminal. If privacy is key, passengers should love to the far end of the lounge. Cushy leather chairs are situated in organized lines with individual tables and light for reading or working convenience. One laptop charging outlet is provided on either side of the 4 chair pod. Self-service refreshments including bottled water, soda and fresh espresso are available next to a very generous buffet. Warm and cold Indian fare is offered on an all-you-care-to-eat basis. Adjacent to the food and drink counter is a fully stocked bar. WiFi, toilets and newspapers round out the relaxing experience.

Keep in mind the long walk to gates from the shopping/lounge area. Time management is highly encouraged.

Access and Other Services

New roads have been built to link T3 to Delhi city in as little time with the easiest of effort. A gorgeous multi-lane highway, complete with flyovers and blinking lights cautioning hard turns ahead, allows tourists to quickly leave upon arrival as well as hassle-free drop off for departures.

To and From T3

Metro

Bus

Taxi

Parking

Pro’s

Far more toilets are placed throughout the entire experience at T3. And not just that. Passengers no longer have to cringe as they walk into the toilets. The new design is modern (western) so no more waiting on one single toilet as before. Also the cleanliness issue appears to have been addressed. In fact the toilets were cleaner in Delhi compared to Paris CDG. Truly amazing!

Ticketing took a cue from the old terminal, post extensive remodel back in 2008. Large bright monitors easily display the most pertinent information for travelers. Finding airline counters is an easy undertaking as well as moving on to Immigration/Security.

Food. Finally there are cafes and stalls to get neat and clean, “safe” food. The only option years ago was prepackaged sandwiches which made your stomach turn just at the sight. Espresso, chocolate, desserts, western and Indian favorites are all on site.

Shopping. As with the food dilema, finding a last minute gift proved nearly futile in the past. Passengers now have plenty to choose from.

Con’s

The long walk on arrival between plane and Immigration, and vice versa on departure, seems excessive. Moving walkways help but the sparse hallways after the shopping/eating area makes for a noticeably long journey.

Construction may have been hurried in advance of the Commonwealth Games. Cracks in wall plaster, faulty wiring, missing ceiling tiles and in some cases open gaps between the floor and walls draws some concern on the stability of the building. Polish can make anything look great.

Green Bay, WI, USA

Destination:

New Delhi, India via Minneapolis & Amsterdam

Flight Duration:

Domestic 1 Hour, International 8 Hours (each leg)

Seating:

First/Business Class

Check-In

Departing from a smaller regional airport such as Green Bay avoids many of the hassles of larger metro airports. Wait times are close to nil and ticketing was issued straight through to New Delhi, via Minneapolis and Amsterdam. Friendly faces and a bit of surprised conversation about my final destination, set me in a great mood for the long haul ahead.

Lounge:

Minneapolis was the home city for the now defunct Northwest Airlines, but prior to the merger with Delta, they poured big money into sprucing up their airport lounges. For $50, or complimentary with First or Business class tickets, travelers can spread out on oversized chairs while watching TV. Pick up any number of complimentary newspapers, connect to free WiFi, and grab unlimited beverages along with meal service in-between flights. The lounge in Amsterdam (home city of KLM Airlines) has also recently been upgraded. Clean and quiet toilets can be found inside the lounge. This perk alone pays for itself when you’re needing extra time and space to refresh and recharge.

Gate:

No problems getting out of Green Bay. Meeting up with my travel partner in Minneapolis also proved to be unproblematic. We arrived within a few minutes of each other from opposite ends of the country and walked to our departing International gate. From here on in, it was smooth sailing through Amsterdam into New Delhi.

Flight:

Delta for years now has been lax on service and presentation. Their version of business class is my least favorite of the 3 different airlines flown to India (Continental and Air France being the other 2). While amenities are numerous versus sitting in coach, the overall feeling of flying with Delta is that of being yet another irritant in a flight attendant’s daily routine. Smiles are hard to come by, questions are barked out and finding any extraordinary service is rare.

As expected a toiletry bag is supplied to enhance the flight. Personal video players with larger monitors play the most recent movies and TV shows. In flight meals are actually quite decent. For those with special dietary needs you can request a meal during the ticketing process online or over the phone. KLM puts more effort into meal service; portions are generous (not that I eat much) with little touches such as cheese and fresh fruit platters.

Pillows and blankets are within hands reach. The best part is the monstrous amount of leg and elbow room. Fill it up by adjusting your seat into a lay flat bed or spread out belongings to feel relaxed. Bathrooms on Delta are sketchy while KLM crew actually take time to spruce them up during the flight. Even little details such as 4 different kinds of lotion can be found in the KLM bathrooms.

Once we switched to KLM, the overall mood far surpassed that of the previous flight. A professional feeling flowed through the plane as well as sincere interest on behalf of the flight crew. “Hey, I just may fly with you again if you keep this up!” was my feeling. Of course the best part of traveling KLM Business is the long standing tradition of sending their passengers off with a token, ceramic Dutch house.

Years ago these small, handmade blue and white houses were filled with alcohol. But, since 9/11, security checks often left your houses emptied upon baggage retrieval. Now the houses are sealed as always with wax over the chimney but purposely left dry inside. Frequent fliers often bring a list from home of the numbers needed to add to their collection of homes. The collecting of KLM houses is big business. A check on eBay at any time includes several listings of people buying and selling needed or unwanted houses to add to their personal collection.

And then there is me. One house is provided to each passenger. On each flight I have sweet talked the flight crew into letting me pick an extra house after every other passenger has chosen from the tray. And after the other passengers have deplaned, I walk through the cabin and pluck the unwanted or left behind houses off the seats. My collection now stands at 9.

Overall Impressions:

Because my frequent flier program is held with Delta, my options for award travel is limited to a few airlines. My preference would be to patronize Air France over Delta, however in the end they both get you to the same place. Although, KLM does have those collectible houses!

Roadside dentist in Mandawa, Rajasthan

Knowing which of the roughly 15 companies offering travel insurance is right for you can be a time consuming process. Some travelers may be covered by individual health care, auto, home owners or employer policies. However, be sure to read the fine print or make the appropriate calls to verify coverage abroad.

For the rest of us, we will need travel insurance. Insurance companies cover a variety of categories such as lost/stolen luggage, trip delays, trip cancellations and more. Package plans typically include all the services offered by an individual company while others offer their services in an a la carte fashion.

Check with your airline when booking travel as many partner with specific carriers. These carriers sometimes offer discounts when insurance is purchased within a time period linked to your ticket purchase.

What does a reputable insurance company cover?

• Medical Emergencies and Evacuation
• Trip cancellation
• Personal belongings
• Personal liability
• Resumption of your journey
• Coverage in most countries of the world

What isn’t typically covered?

• Preexisting medical conditions. Some companies offer a 180 day or shorter window of coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Deliberate acts of life endangerment
• Alcohol or drug related accidents
• HIV/STD contraction

What does a reputable insurance company offer?

• Online insurance purchase
• Online claim service
• 24 / 7 emergency assistance
• Extend your policy online while traveling
• Helpful traveling tips and alerts based on your destination(s)

Tips

• Keep receipts and documentation for any possible claims that may be filed
• Have contact numbers handy as you’ll need to call for authorization on major medical needs
• Insurance companies, no matter how reputable, move at a certain speed. Do not expect a fast reimbursement.
• Keep thorough records including names, dates and times of contact persons at both your insurance company and medical offices.
• Document everything with pictures if possible

After extensive research of multiple insurance companies I recommend WorldNomads. Their website is fact filled, easily laid out for purchasing a policy online, fast response to inquiries and recommended by several top notch travel publications. A 4 week policy covering myself 34 yo and my travel partner 54 yo, cost us $191. The coverage limits were higher than any other company quoted with a lower policy cost. And, they’ll cover actual activities like elephant riding versus the competitors that expect you to stay in your seat pointing out the window.

Travel Insurance: simple and flexible.

What you need to know

• Recommended by Lonely Planet
• They’ll cover your Adventure
• You can claim online
• Extend your policy
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The latest professional travel advice on hundreds of destinations.

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In the past I relied on the airline’s website to purchase my tickets to India. With the push to move customers online, airlines were charging $15 or more to speak with a representative. As my plans for my 2009 trip were coming together, I decided to call for help finding tickets regardless of the extra fee. The merger of NWA and DAL was creating roadblocks with their online booking when flying on alliance partners. Unless I was to fly into BOM (Mumbai), an alliance partner was required to Delhi or Bangalore.

What I found by calling in, was a hassle, and, a really great deal. For just 120,000 miles, round trip, I found myself flying in First Class within the US and Business Class Internationally on Continental & Air France. This was half what I had been “paying” when booking online. For my recent 2010 South India trip, I called in again for help finding the best deal. This time, 100,000 to fly outbound to Bangalore in Coach, return in Business Class all on Air France. Amazing!

How do you find these deals?

• Don’t have your itinerary set in stone yet. Wait until you have your flights locked up before confirming with a travel agency as your arrival and departure dates may vary. Agencies love to charge cancellation or change fees.
• Arm yourself with your available travel dates. Be flexible within a few days on both ends.
• Call initially to gather background information, such as dates outbound and return flights available. Ask for the best options up front explaining you are flexible with your travel times.
• Be open to flying into a different major city.  Sometimes it’s worth flying into a neighboring airport and jumping on an internal connecting flight at $100/ticket.
• Open Jaws: Fly into one airport where you could start your journey ending in another major city where you could depart from. Example: Fly into Mumbai for a 2 week itinerary, end in Delhi and fly home from there.
• Don’t take the first choices offered by the airline representative unless it fits within your travel dates. You can generally get a feeling up-front if the agent is working for you, or for themselves.
• Be prepared to call over several days at different times. As you gather more information on available flights, destinations and dates, you’ll be in a better position to receive the great deals.
• Play dumb, ask nicely. When I have a good “feeling” of an agent based on their greeting, using a kind, humble tone of voice always gets the agent on my side. Give your dates of desired travel, explain you are very flexible and would like to spend as few miles as possible.

If you still don’t find the deals or flights you’re hoping for, Expert Flyer might be worth trying. An article in WSJ last month gave this service a nice mention which I checked out. For a small fee, either one time or recurring, you can use their website to help snag the available seats and deals. It appears to work on most major airlines and alliances.

I’ve sometimes had to work for several days before booking the perfect ticket. Be patient and you might just be rewarded.

Newark, NJ, USA

Destination:

New Delhi, India

Flight Duration:

14 Hours

Seating:

Business Class

Check-In:

A little sketchy. My origin flight came from Minneapolis with a brief layover in Newark. The airport was under construction forcing me to leave the secure gate area I flew into and making a fresh pass through Newark security. This was not an issue so much as confusing; most airports allow you to fly into one gate and walk directly to your departing gate.

Lounge:

Passed on this as my layover was short and I preferred to stretch my legs.

Gate:

As the departing time grew closer, I made my way to the gate. An overhead announcement to have my passport, visa and boarding pass checked by the gate attendants was made. I checked in with at the desk, had my boarding pass signed off and told to re-queue. As the plane was open for seating, my boarding pass was rejected by the gate attendant. My only choice was to go back to the gate desk. The attendant quickly changed my boarding pass out for a Continental branded ticket from my original Northwest/Delta. This time it worked.

Flight:

This was my first time flying Continental to India. The plane was a newer 777, very spacious and clean. The usual amenities were waiting for me as I found my seat; blanket, pillow, headset and toiletry bag. Continental’s toiletry bag is hands down the best of any airline I have flown in Business Class. The bag unzipped to an open face position and included a hook on one end to allow the user to hang the bag against a bathroom door. Very nice touch. The bag itself was packed with the usual goodies but the personal care products were especially nice.

In-flight meals were particularly good for airline food. There was never a chance to become truly hungry as the meals were constantly being offered and snacks were available at all times.

With this being my longest flight to date, I was concerned I might find myself a little stir crazy mid-way through. When the in-flight entertainment monitors stopped working right after take off, things were not looking good. For several hours the monitors were reset until finally in hour 4 they become operational.

The cabin crew was friendly and attentive, more so than my usual Northwest experiences. Cleanliness was apparent in both the cabin and bathrooms.

Overall Impressions:

Continental is definitely the way to travel into Delhi in the future. Unfortunately they recently opted out (November 2009) of the Sky Team Alliance and joined the Star Alliance. Due to the fact my Airline Miles are with Northwest/Delta (Sky Team), my experience in October 2009 will most likely be my only using Continental for international travel. With clean, comfortable seats and a direct non-stop from the US into Delhi, you can’t beat it. Plus, the flight arrives 2 hours before the competitors start clogging up IGI. After arriving, clearing customs and collecting my baggage, I arrived at my hotel by 10:30 P.M. Normally this is closer to 2 or 3 A.M. the following morning.

Departure City

Layover: Paris, France

Destination: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Flight #1 Duration: 9 Hours

Seating: Business Class

Check-In: Smooth. Indira Gandhi International Airport is in the process of a long remodeling project which has greatly enhanced the check-in area. It did take a bit of time finding the Air France desk given it was tucked away in a corner at the very end of the building. A Customs form was handed to me right as I walked up to the line. Within 5 minutes I was checked in and directed to the lounge.

Lounge: Vastly improved from just a few years ago. An espresso machine and a well stocked food buffet are provided. Toilet facilities are easily accessible once inside the lounge. TV’s are scattered throughout, WiFi is available for laptop devices. Representatives from individual airlines come through and announce flight boarding status to direct passengers through security at the right time.

Gate: The gate # was changed from the original gate printed on my ticket. PA systems are not the norm at IGI so pay attention to the door for boarding instructions.

Toiletry bag / water holder in side of seat

Flight: This was my first time flying AF. The seats were comfortable, about average with competitors. The toiletry bag was not as well stocked as competitors but it did offer the basics. The food was very disappointing. Most of my meals were pushed aside. The in-flight entertainment was standard, movies, TV shows, games and music. The service was disappointing only because I had heard so many great things about this airline. Flight attendants were polite and efficient, but not above and beyond as I had expected.

Overall: Not better or worse than it’s competitors but slightly disappointing based on my expectations. The small attention to detail touches not found on other airlines were nice but not enough to lift the whole experience.

Layover: Charles de Gualle, 8 hours. My expectations were pleasantly exceeded when I arrived at CDG. There were a large amount of stores to browse but I opted to go to the business lounge where you can find free WiFi for laptop devices. A very balanced breakfast buffet with espresso was provided as well as a nice selection of morning newspapers. Cozy and quiet seating nooks were around every corner in this very well kept area. A light lunch was available before my second flight, just as tasty as breakfast. TIP: Stock up on extra bottled water and juices here for your next flight

Flight #2 Duration: 8 Hours

Gate: Strangely, there was no overhead boarding message called. Boarding was a first come, first through line experience.

Flight: Seating was the same set up as the previous flight, clean and stocked for my arrival. The flight attendants were more outgoing, very helpful. Although the flight was turbulent for the first 2 hours, the attendants were very gracious in calmly my nerves. Again the food was not good for which I was grateful to have filled up in Paris.

Overall: Had it not been for the flight attendants, this flight would have ranked right in the middle of the pack.

Normally I fly Northwest / KLM Airlines into New Delhi, however, seats were hard to come by when trying to arrange my flight. Searching online for options,  Air France consistently had great round trip rates from the US to Bombay/Mumbai and New Delhi, India. In the end, I dumb lucked into a great ticket that included the above return flights via AF.  Given the experience I had and their pricing, I would consider them for future travel.