Air Travel

10 Ways You Can Upgrade Your Seat To First-Class!

AirWhizzJun 08, 2018 No Comments

10 Ways You Can Upgrade Your Seat To First-Class!

Travel Like a Pro

Personalized service, free-flowing champagne, specially prepared cuisines by Michelin star chefs and enough leg room to stretch your tiredness away.

These are some things that come to mind when you think about first-class travel on an airline.

Flying first-class is a luxury, no doubt about it, but it’s often expensive and not worth the money if you are travelling a short distance.

But, you’ll be happy to hear that, like most things, there are some loopholes you can use to your advantage.

So, if you want to travel in luxury, follow these simple travel hacks that can help you jump to the first-class cabin for FREE!

1.Travel At Non-Peak Days

If you have a flexible travelling schedule, try to book your flight on a day when people are less likely to travel.

For instance, try to book flights during the middle of the week and fly during dawn or dusk.

First-Class seats are usually empty during this time and you have better chances of scoring an upgrade.

Also, if you travel on holidays such as Holi or Diwali, most of the seats on the flight will be empty and if the cabin crew is in a festive mood they will upgrade you to the first-class.

2.Arrive Early

Airlines encourage you to be at the airport 45 minutes before the scheduled flight departure.

But if you have some spare time on the day you’re travelling, reach the airport early. It will give you ample time to chat with the gate agent.

The agent will have no queue or angry passengers to worry about and you can sweet talk your way to first-class.

3.Join The Frequent Flyer Program

Be loyal to one frequent flyer program of an airline and you will see what wonders it will do.

It may seem costly at first, but if you stack up your miles with one airline, it will help you get free upgrades to the first-class in the future.

4.Book Through The Airline’s Website

Try to book tickets on your airline’s official website, rather than using online travel agents.

During check-in, the airline system will know that you have booked on their website.

When its time to ask for your upgrade, chances are you’ll be treated as if you’re loyal to that specific airline.

Also, airlines send huge discount offers via email to people who book their tickets on the official site.

5. Check Your Emails

Building on the above point, many of us don’t check the follow-up emails that airlines send, once we book a ticket.

Airline companies know well ahead of time that the flight is going to be overbooked and try to offer huge discounts via email.

Since they don’t send these offers to people who book with online travel agents, chances are you’ll be part of a small minority of people receiving these emails for your specific flight.

So, the closer an overbooked flight gets to departure time, the more offers you get including first-class upgrades.

6. Use Your Connections

Know the pilot or a cabin crew member who works with the airline you are travelling with?

If so, then use that connection for all it’s worth.

Airline employees get amazing perks which they can share with their family and friends.

7.Travel Solo

Since you’re just one person, the airline will have a much easier time moving you up to first-class than they will with a couple or a family.

If you’ve got a preference and are travelling alone, it’s worth asking about an upgrade for any empty seats that might still be available in first-class.

Travelling by yourself may seem lonely at first but all that will go away when you’re flying first-class.

8.Fly On An Occasion

Whether it’s your birthday or your anniversary, let the gate agents know about it.

With competition increasing these days, airlines want their guests to have the best possible experience.

You may have a very good chance of getting a free upgrade to the first-class if you travel on or around the time of your special occasion.

9.Dress Up Smartly

Leave the cargo shorts and tank tops at home. Dress as if you’ve reached the airport from a business meeting and have been waiting for the flight in the executive lounge.

Chances are slim, but if you dress the part, business suits have done the trick for many people in the past.

10. Try Your Luck

Don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade, of course they could always say no but what have you got to lose?

Dress well, be nice, talk sweetly and a “please” might just do the trick.

Can’t wait to experience the luxury of first-class?

Download the AirWhizz App and get real-time flight updates to track your flights on the move. So go ahead, travel in style and fly stress-free.

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Everything You Need To Know About Airline Baggage Rules In India!

AirWhizzJun 04, 2018 No Comments

Everything You Need To Know About Airline Baggage Rules In India!

Travel Like a Pro

Air travel In India has grown exponentially, and in recent years airlines have started cashing in on this.

Airlines have started charging a fee to bring extra luggage on flights.

With baggage fee rules becoming more complex and the fees getting expensive, It can be quite a task to keep a track of hand baggage sizes and weights for each airline.

To help you understand this, here is everything you need to know about baggage policies that most airlines follow.

Check-In Baggage

A)Baggage Allowance Rules

In line with international regulations, your baggage allowances will either be set by how many pieces or the total weight of luggage you can travel with.

The rules depend on where you’re travelling to.

1.Weight Concept

Passengers travelling from India to Far East(Except Japan)/Southeast Asia and Gulf/Middle East countries are allowed free baggage allowances based on the weight of the baggage and the class they are travelling in.

Usually, a passenger is allowed to carry up to –

  • 40 Kgs of check-in baggage in First Class
  • 30 Kgs of check-in baggage in Business Class
  • 20 Kgs of check-in baggage in Economy Class
2.Piece Concept

Under this concept, the airline allows free baggage allowance based on how many pieces of luggage you can travel with, its maximum weight and dimension.

Here are the rules-

  • A person can get 2 pieces of luggage checked-in for free.
  • Each bag has a weight limit of 32kgs
  • The total of all dimensions (Length, Breadth &Height) of each bag cannot be more than 158cm (62 inches)

Airlines that fly from India to Europe, North America, South America , Australia & Africa follow these rules for free baggage allowance.

B) Excess Baggage

Airlines charge you Excess-Baggage fees if your check-in luggage weight exceeds the limit. There is no standard price for excess luggage and it’s up to the airline to set the prices.

  • You will have to pay anywhere between Rs 300 to Rs 500 per kg for domestic flights.
  • You will have to pay anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 800 per kg for International flights
  • There is no cap on the number of bags you can check-in, but their combined weight should be below the limit.

You do have an option to pay less for excess baggage. If you join different membership programs offered by airlines, you can carry more luggage with you without paying any fee.

For example, If you are a ‘GOLD’ or ‘MAHARJAH’ member of Air India’s “Flying Returns” program you can carry 20 kg of extra luggage with you.

Carry-on Baggage

A)Baggage Allowance Rules

With the growing emphasis on airline safety worldwide and to avoid overcrowding of overhead bins in the cabin, airlines are becoming stringent with rules regarding carry-on baggage.

Here are the rules for Carry-on baggage in India

  • Most airlines allow only 1 piece of hand baggage per person.
  • You can carry anywhere between 7-8 kgs of hand baggage, depending on the airline.
  • The length, breadth & height of the bag have to be less than 55x35x25 centimeters respectively and the overall total of the dimensions should not be more than 115 cm.
B) Excess Baggage

As mentioned above, most airlines only allow one piece of hand baggage per person, however, some airlines allow you to carry more than one bag depending on the weight dimensions and airline rules.

In addition to your carry-on bag, you can bring along the following items-

  • Handbag
  • Laptop bag
  • Rug/Blanket
  • Camera Bag
  • Collapsible wheelchair
  • Walking Sticks
  • Umbrella
  • Infant’s Carry Basket
  • Duty-Free Items (carry the invoice)

Airlines such as SpiceJet And IndiGo charge you a fee of Rs 350 – Rs 400  if the combined weight of the items mentioned above and your carry-on luggage is more than 8 kgs.

Special Baggage

If your luggage is not of the standard size & weight and if it requires special handling then you might have to pay more depending on the airline. These type of items are called Out Of Gauge (OOG) baggage.

OOG baggage is the luggage that is very heavy, too large, very light, fragile, does not have at least 1 flat surface or can damage or slow down the baggage handling management system.

Baggage that is outside the standard dimensions for airport luggage and cannot be sorted out by normal conveyor belts come under this category.

Here are a few examples –

  • Sports Equipment
  • Flat Screen Television
  • Extra Large Carpets or Blankets
  • Musical Instruments

So, if you want to know more about your airline’s baggage policy, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get information regarding different airline policies/regulations to plan your trip on the move and Fly Stress-Free!

*Please note that all weights, prices and specifications mentioned here are only indicative. They are meant to give you a general idea of baggage policies. For the actual price and baggage allowance details please refer to your ticket or the rules of the airline you are flying with.

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Hundreds Of Passengers Stranded At Mumbai Airport After Flight Delays!

AirWhizzJun 04, 2018 No Comments

Hundreds Of Passengers Stranded At Mumbai Airport After Flight Delays!

Aviation Insider

A series of flight delays at the Mumbai Airport, on Sunday, left hundreds of passengers stranded, which resulted in a huge ruckus.

Here are the details of the flights that got delayed!

Jet Airways

158 passengers of Ahmedabad bound Jet Airways flight 9W-2314 were stuck at the airport after the flight failed to take off at the scheduled time.

The passengers were told by the cabin crew that the flight did not take off because the Ahmedabad airport was closed.

However, the Ahmedabad Airport Director had given a statement saying that a NOTAM(Notice To Airmen) was issued for runway maintenance work from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but the Jet Airways aircraft had been given permission to land.

It was discovered later that the Jet Airways flight had a technical fault in the aircraft which caused the delay.

Air India

Air India Flight AI 625 got delayed for 6 hours which left hundreds of passengers fuming at the Mumbai Airport.

The Lucknow bound flight was supposed to depart from Mumbai at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Lucknow by 10:30 a.m. However, the flight could not take off till 2.30 in the afternoon.

According to one of the passengers, it felt like a hostage situation and were stuck at the boarding counter without food, water or any kind of answer from the airline officials.

The passenger also said that officials kept avoiding them and the ground staff was very rude. A few people got agitated and started protesting. The CISF had to come in and handle the situation.

The airline has not given any official statement as to why the flight was delayed.

Several other flights including those of GoAir And Qatar Airways were delayed by short intervals and diverted as Mumbai witnessed its first Pre- Monsoon showers on Saturday.

So, If you want to know whether your flight has been delayed due to bad weather, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get real-time flight and weather updates on your phone to plan your trip on the move and Fly Stress-Free!

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Singapore Airlines Will Re-Launch The World’s Longest Flight!

AirWhizzJun 02, 2018 No Comments

Singapore Airlines Will Re-Launch The World’s Longest Flight!

Aviation Insider

Singapore Airlines announced this week that they will relaunch the world’s longest flight, from Singapore to New York, in October.

Here are all the details about it –

  • The airline will fly from Singapore’s Changi International Airport to the Newark Liberty International Airport in New York.
  • The aircraft will cover a distance of 16,700 Km in 19 hours, making it the longest flight, by duration, in the world.
  • Singapore Airlines will use the long-range Airbus A350 – 900ULR for this route. The airline has ordered 7 of these airplanes with the first one arriving in September and the rest 6 by end of this year.
  • This aircraft is configured to carry 161 passengers with 67 seats in Business Class and 94 seats in Premium Economy. This flight does not have an Economy Class.
  • The airline will launch their flights on this route from 11th October 2018.

Till 2013, the airline used to regularly operate its flights to Newark Airport but had to stop owing to the rising fuel costs, which made flying their previous jets, Airbus A340 – A550, uneconomical. Since then it has flown to JFK Airport in New York via Frankfurt.

Currently, the record for the longest flight is held by Qatar Airways Flight 921 from Auckland to Doha, which takes 17 hours 40 minutes.

With no economy class on this flight, the airline is looking to tap into the premium market and wants to promote their brand amongst wealthy customers. The airline has said that they have plans of flying non-stop from Singapore to Los Angeles using the same airplane.

This decision will help Singapore Airlines fetch more revenue, since long-haul flights often make more cash than flights with more than one stop and make a mark in the highly competitive international aviation market.

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10 Things To Bring Along On A Long-Haul Flight!

AirWhizzJun 01, 2018 No Comments

10 Things To Bring Along On A Long-Haul Flight!

Travel Like a Pro

In recent years, travelling by air has become really comfortable and the flight crew does their best to keep it that way. But, travelling for long hours, especially on international flights, can get boring and tiring at times.

Long-haul flights are a test of endurance, whether you are a frequent flyer or are new to air travel.

But If you are well prepared and know what to take with you onboard, it can make a whole world of difference to your flying experience.

To help get you through a long flight comfortably, we have come up with a list of 10 essential items you must have with you onboard.

NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES

Airlines these days make sure that there is minimum noise in the airplane cabin, but if you are a light sleeper, noise cancelling headphones can make it easier for you to sleep on the flight.

Also, headphones that the airlines provide are not that great when it comes to quality.

So, if you are going to spend several hours on a flight, might as well get a good pair of headphones to enjoy in-flight entertainment and help you doze off.

MINI TOILETRY BAG

If you’re travelling on an overnight flight, make sure you pack a small pouch of toiletries in your carry-on bag.

These days you get travel sized disposable toothbrush, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and dry shampoo spray so go ahead and take advantage of them when you fly.

SLEEPING GEAR

If you’re on a long-haul flight and want to avoid jet lag when you reach your destination, you’ll need to get some sleep.

Pack an eye mask and bring a travel pillow along with you.

You’ll be able to doze off easily with them and the constant chatter in the cabin or your neighbour’s reading light will not affect you.

TRAVEL WALLET

Use a travel wallet to organize and store all your important documents in one place.

They are deep enough and have various pockets to fit your cash, tickets, immigration forms, ID and passports.

Plus, it’s easier to pull out the whole wallet rather than looking around for different documents in your bag.

SNACKS

The food that is served on flights can make you feel bloated and feeling uncomfortable especially on a long-haul flight.

Fruits, salads, mixed nuts and vegetable sandwiches are all good options to bring on your flight.

Munch on some healthy homemade snacks while you watch an in-flight movie and skip the bland airplane meals!

Here are some tips on How To Eat Healthy When You Fly!

ENTERTAINMENT

It’s going to be a long flight, so prepare yourself to fill every hour with some form of entertainment.

Download some movies, songs, TV series or video games on your mobile or tablet before you leave as backup, in case you get bored of in-flight entertainment!

It will keep you entertained when you are done sleeping and will also keep you alert during the flight.

BOOKS/MAGAZINES

Bring at least one book or a magazine with you!

It will be useful when your airplane is landing/taking off or when you need a break from your device’s screen.

Also, it’s a good option to keep a backup if your tablet’s battery dies.

WIPES/TISSUES

Airplane lavatories are covered with germs and it’s easy to catch an infection.

Make sure that you pack some bleach wipes or sanitized tissues for your long trip.

Also, one more advantage of packing them is that it eliminates the need for liquids in the carry-on, they are easy to carry and don’t leak or spill in your bag.

MEDICINE KIT

Carry a small medical kit with you, regardless of whether it’s a long flight or not.

Dehydration can cause a headache, cabin pressure can trigger sinus problems, the lack of proper cleaning can set off dust allergies and strange food might give you stomach issues.

Be prepared for every situation and pack the medicines you think you will need or consult your family doctor.

*Remember carry only over the counter unprescribed medicines and check whether the destination you are flying to allows them.

SCARF

Avoid using airplane blankets and carry a long scarf.

All seasoned travelers carry scarves with them because they can be used as blankets when your airplane’s AC is at full blast.

Also, make sure you dress comfortably overall, since you will be in the same clothes during the flight and wearing loose clothing in the airplane will help you sleep better.

So, the next time you fly and are looking for travel accessories, headphones, sleeping gear or just a nice book to read, download the AirWhizz App. Avail exclusive discounts on Swiss Military accessories as an app user and get information about airport shops and their location on the move.

Have a comfortable flight and Fly Stress-Free!

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Vistara’s AI Robot “RADA”, Will Soon Assist Passengers At The Delhi Airport!

AirWhizzMay 30, 2018 No Comments

Vistara’s AI Robot “RADA”, Will Soon Assist Passengers At The Delhi Airport!

Aviation Insider

Starting from July 2018, passengers travelling with Vistara will be assisted by an Artificially Intelligent robot at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi.

Vistara, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has developed a robot to help their passengers, address queries and entertain them before boarding a flight.

Here are all the details about the robot –

  • Vistara has named the AI robot ‘RADA’.
  • The robot will be installed in the ‘Vistara Signature Lounge’ at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 from 5th July 2018.
  • It is the first AI robot in India to be deployed at an airport to assist passengers.
  • It is built on the chassis of 4 wheels, which enables it to rotate 360 degrees and has 3 inbuilt cameras to help it interact with customers at the lounge.
  • ‘RADA’ is capable of scanning boarding passes, giving information about terminals & departure gates, real-time flight updates, weather conditions and different products. It also tells passengers about the services offered by Vistara.
  • It will use basic hand movements to greet the passengers entering the lounge and will move around on a predefined path.
  • It is also capable of entertaining kids and adults by playing games, videos and songs.
  • Over a period of time, the AI robot will be developed in terms of functionality and features based on customer feedback.
  • The airline claims that it is one of the most economical AI robots in India, which is completely made from components manufactured within the country.

‘RADA’ has been developed under Vistara’s ‘Innovation Initiative’. It has been designed and engineered by experts from the TATA Innovation Lab with the help of students from reputed institutions.

According to Mr Ravinder Pal Singh, Vistara’s Chief Information and Innovation Officer, the idea behind this concept was to build a simple and extremely cost-effective robot which is capable of basic human interaction to start with. He also said that the robot will further be developed to perform more complex tasks to handle the evolving passenger habits in this technological age.

With this innovation, Vistara will surely enhance its customer’s experience and will further strengthen its hold in the domestic aviation market.

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TRAI Won’t Regulate Prices On In-flight Internet!

AirWhizzMay 28, 2018 No Comments

TRAI Won’t Regulate Prices On In-flight Internet!

Aviation Insider

A few weeks back, the Telecom Commission approved the decision to allow passengers to access internet and make calls while travelling on an airplane.

However, the Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India(TRAI) announced yesterday that they will not regulate the tariffs paid by passengers for In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) services over Indian airspace.

According to TRAI’s Chairman, Mr. RS Sharma, tariffs in the telecom sector are governed by market forces and In-flight connectivity is no exception.

He also said that the manner in which Inflight service is provided will be structured and decided upon by both Indian telecom companies and International telephone operators as per rules. The latter will have to act as an intermediary between local telecom companies and the airline.

What this means is, in order for international flights to start getting signal when they enter Indian Airspace, Indian telecom operators handling local stations will have to make arrangements with International service providers. They will not go to the airline directly.

What Telecom Companies Think!

With the In-flight Connectivity (IFC) initiative, Aircraft companies such as Airbus and Boeing can partner up with Indian telecom operators to install the necessary equipment on flights and allow them to enter into a pact with local broadband providers.

In India, companies such as Reliance Jio Infocomm, Bharti Airtel, Tata Services and Hughes Communications are VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) & CUG (Closed User Group) license holders. They can look forward to tying up with International telecom companies.

However, Indian companies are not enthusiastic about the decision by the Telecom Commission and are rethinking about investing in IFC.

They say that only the airlines will be benefitting from this because they are the ones who will be fixing the prices. Also, the revenue that the telecom companies will make from IFC may not be significant in the initial stages, so it may not be the best plan to invest in this.

They have also asked domestic airlines to rethink about providing calling services.

What Does The Aviation Industry Think!

According to Kapil Kaul, CEO of CAPA for the Indian Subcontinent & Middle East regions, it will cost Rs 125 to Rs 150 per minute for calling, as airlines will have to invest millions of dollars to install the equipment. He also added that it would make no business sense for providing these services on airlines in India since the duration of a domestic flight on an average is 1.5 hours.

Read more about IFC services and what it may cost you!

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Airlines Unhappy About New Air Passenger Charter!

AirWhizzMay 26, 2018 No Comments

Airlines Unhappy About New Air Passenger Charter!

Aviation Insider

A few days back the government proposed a new passenger charter for changes in the rights of air travellers in India.

Airlines in India, however, have shown their displeasure towards these proposed changes saying that if new rules are implemented, it will lead to a rise in airfares.

According to experts, these rules will have a massive impact on air ticket prices since airfares in India are already at a lower level as compared to other countries. They have said that the government has to decide whether they want air travel to be accessible to the common man or treat aviation as a luxury sector.

Airlines are opposed to the rules regarding relaxation in cancellation charges. Currently, every airline has a cancellation policy of their own. For example –

  • IndiGo charges its passengers a minimum of Rs 3000 on cancelling flight tickets
  • In case of GoAir, a passenger has to pay Rs 2950 for cancelling the ticket within 2 hours of the flight’s departure time.

Airlines like Vistara and Jet Airways allow their passengers to modify or make cancellations for free within 24 hours of booking the ticket, but the government is looking to make this a standard rule across all airlines in India.

Airlines have come out strongly against the proposed changes in compensation for loss or damage of passenger baggage as well. According to the government’s proposal –

  • The airline has to pay Rs 3000 Per Kg for loss of baggage.
  • For damaged baggage, the airline has to compensate Rs 2000 per kg.

Airlines claim that the compensation for loss is 10 times that of what a passenger pays for excess luggage and these rules may lead to scams. It may lead to a situation where a passenger can tell another person to pick up their bag and claim it as lost.

This latest development can slow down the government’s plan to empower air travellers and safeguard their rights against flight cancellations, delays or other inconveniences caused by the airline.

The passenger charter has been published on ministry’s website for public consultation. The public has a 30-day window to put in their recommendations and the new norms will be released by 15th July 2018.

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