Did You Know

10 Simple Tips To Pack Like A Pro For Your Next Flight!

Even if you’ve travelled only a few times, you know how pivotal packing is!

Forget an essential item and you’re left disappointed and scrambling to find the nearest store in your destination.

Pack too much and you end up being burdened with heavy bags and losing money to pay for pricey airline baggage fees.

To help you pack effectively for your next flight, here are 10 fundamental packing strategies that every traveller should know.

1.Make A Packing List

This is the most basic tip of packing!

Most of us usually procrastinate until the last day to pack for a trip which may cause us to forget a few important items.

Start your packing process days or even weeks ahead of your departure date by making a packing list. This will help you purchase any additional items you might need for your vacation.

Creating a packing list is a fail-safe way to ensure that you never, ever forget to bring something important.

2.Know Your Airline’s Baggage-Fee Policy

Figuring out your airline’s tricky baggage-fee policy is the key to stress-free packing!

Most airlines allow you to carry one piece of hand baggage and two pieces of check-in luggage for free, however, you still need to know the airline’s weight limit levied on luggage.

Before you begin packing, take a peek at your airline’s website and read its baggage policy.

This is something you might even want to do prior to buying your plane ticket. It will help you create a rough idea of what you can or cannot carry and will help you make your packing list.

3.Use Your Personal Item Wisely

It’s standard for airlines to permit each traveller to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard planes.

This personal item is subject to specific size requirements (these vary by airline), but something like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack is generally acceptable.

So rather than bringing just a small purse, you can carry a bigger carry bag, enabling you to pack more.

4.Don’t Fold Your Clothes, Roll Them

Many travel experts including backpackers, who stuff months’ worth of clothing into small bags, agree that rolling is superior to folding.

Tightly rolled clothes take up less space than folded ones. Plus, they’re less prone to getting deep wrinkles from fold creases.

Plus the benefit of this is you won’t have to arrive at your holiday destination and be faced with a pile of clothes that need ironing.

5.Pack In Layers

“Wear Layers & Pack Layers”! This is the golden rule that most frequent flyers follow.

First, your on-the-road wardrobe should feature plenty of layers, which will help you jet set through multiple climates in style and comfort.

Second, the items in your bag should be packed in neat layers for easy screening. You can pack 1 layer of clothes, 1 layer of electronics, 1 layer of shoes and so on. This will help the security agent screen your bag easily and give him/her a clearer picture.

The faster the security agent can screen your stuff, the faster you’ll get through the security line.

6. Never Keep Essential Items In check-In Luggage

It’s very important to keep your valuable and essential belongings in your carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage.

Your passport, identification, money, credit cards, jewellery, electronics, and other valuables should always be brought onto the airplane with you.

7.Fill Dead Spaces

When it comes to packing, make use of every little inch of suitcase space that you can.

Roll tops, underwear, socks and other small items and stuff them into your shoes to make sure every possible space is filled.

Just make sure that you keep the airline’s baggage weight limit in mind, cause you can end up packing more than you need with this hack.

8.Use Zip Lock Bags

How do you usually organise all of your electronics, cables, those fiddly things that take you ages to dig out at security? Stuff them like the rest of Us?

Well, if you want to organise your packing then get yourself a stash of Zip lock bags.

Use them to store electrical items like a phone charger, camera charger, adaptors or headphones, household items like house keys, medication and other loose accessories.

9.Make Your Suitcase Unique

With air travel on the rise, companies such as VIP and American Tourister are mass producing their bags, which makes it difficult for us to have a unique suitcase.

Don’t be faced with a crisis at the airport baggage carousel, when you’re searching for your luggage amidst its identical neighbours.

Label your suitcase with luggage tags and give it a bit of a makeover to help spot it in the crowd. Decorate it with ribbons, stickers or even colourful shoelaces so it’s instantly recognisable.

10.Buy A Lightweight Suitcase

A suitcase is easily one of the most essential travel items that you can own. After all, you rely on it to pack all the things you love.

Juggling between gifts for the family and airline Baggage Allowance can be a tough task. And that is exactly why lightweight luggage is so essential.

They are spacious, mobile, give less strain to your body and helps you save on baggage fees by being lightweight.

Read more about “Why You Should Carry A Lightweight Suitcase The Next Time You Fly

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 and airport amenities along with real-time flight updates to plan your trip on the move.

*Download the AirWhizz app, add your upcoming flight(s) and get up to 25% discount on Swiss Military Lightweight Luggage and other products from the brand.

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Top 10 Richest Airlines In The World!

We all can agree that flying has somewhat become cheaper than it used to be, thanks to, low-cost carriers which dominate aviation markets around the world.

But then there are some airlines which may seem expensive but offer some world class services to its guests.

In fact, a few airlines go as far as offering showers, spas and playing areas to their passengers cause they can afford to.

We did some digging around and found out which are the 10 richest airlines in the world which provide luxurious services like Healthy Meals, Seat Comfort, Spa, Shower, Cabin Staff Service etc.

1.Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is the richest airline service in the world.

Its fleet comprises of one of the most modern aircrafts out there, which provide the best of everything, from comfort to entertainment, as compared to any other airline.

Surprisingly, it hasn’t been in this business for that long but still stands at the number one position of richest airlines in the world.

It’s one of the youngest airlines holding a lot of awards and recognitions from Skytrax and other corporations.

Qatar Airways ensures the comfort, safety of its passengers and provides healthy meals. They do this by providing specially cooked meals made by onboard chefs and provide a luxurious experience with there comfortable seats and inflight facilities.

2.Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airline is the second richest airline in the world after Qatar Airways.

The airline is known to provide spacious and luxurious airplanes so that their guest can travel in peace.

In fact, it is regarded as the best airline in Asia based on the awards it has got and customer reviews. It has won many awards such as “Best Airline In Asia”, “Best airline cabin crew”, “Best first class” and many more.

It has a fleet size of 105 aircraft, which includes the Airbus A380, the largest passenger airplane in the world.

3.Cathay Pacific Airways

Cathay Airlines have been named “Airline Of The Year” on 4 occasions and there is a good reason for that.

Its first class ticket costs $31000 however, it’s completely worth it, due the facilities and luxuries provided to its customers.

The airline is a member of the global airline alliance and has a fleet of 150 airplanes which fly to 200 destinations throughout the world.

In 2017, the airline was awarded with “The Best Premium Economy Class” by Skytrax.

4.Turkish Airlines

It is one of the best airlines in the world in terms of services and amenities provided, be it in the economy class or first class cabin.

Their airplanes have a children’s playroom, library, billiards room, and teleconference rooms. This luxurious airline is very comfortable which provides its passengers with massage beds and showers sections.

The airline has received numerous accolades which include the best airline in south Europe from 2009 to 2016, the best airline in Europe for 5 consecutive times and best business class lounge in 2015.

This airline is valued at more than $3 billion.

5.Emirates

The airline was founded in the year 1985, starting initially with just 2 aircraft, but now it has a vast fleet of about 230 aircraft flying to over 140 sites including 80 countries.

It was considered the richest airline in the world before Qatar Airways took over.

It has received more than 500 international awards, one of which is the “Best Inflight-Entertainment” award, which they have won for the past 12 consecutive years.

It is currently the largest and the best airline in the Middle-East.

6.Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The airlines commenced operations in 2003 and currently has a fleet size of 126 airplanes which fly to more than 116 destinations around the world.

It has a workforce of more than 20000 people and operates a 1000 flights per week.

In fact, it has received the Best Airline in the world award in 2016, amongst many accolades.

7.All Nippon Airways(ANA)

The first-class ticket of this airline costs anywhere between $6500 to $7500 due to its extra seat cushioning, comforts and amenities.

The Japanese airline was founded in 1952 and is ranked as the 7th richest airline in the world.

It’s the only Japan-based airline which has been given a 5-star rating for the past 4 consecutive years.

The airline has a fleet of 221 airplanes and has the best cabin crew in the world, which provide quality customer care services.

8.Eva Air

Eva Air is the second largest airline in Taiwan which flies over 60 international destinations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

It is famous for its customer service and cabin crew all around the world.

The airline is one of the eight airlines in the world who have got a 5-star rating. The airline is currently the best when it comes to Business class seats.

9.Garuda Indonesia

The Indonesian airline, which was on the verge of shutting down due to financial issues, is among the top 10 richest airlines in the world.

It is rated as 5 star by Skytrax for the world-class services and facilities it provides to its clients.

The Garuda Indonesia Airline has been the winner of ‘world’s best cabin crew’ as well as ‘world’s best economy class airline’ award.

It is also known as the “Best Regional Airline In The World”, which flies to 40 domestic and 36 international destinations.

10.Qantas

Founded in 1920, Qantas is the 3rd oldest airline in the world which flies to many international destinations and airports.

It is Australia’s best airline and has won many international awards for its world-class facilities and services it provides to its customers.

In fact, the airline was awarded the ‘Best Premium Economy Airline’ and “Airline Excellence Award” in 2015.

The above-mentioned airlines are also the best airlines in the world in terms of cabin crew services based on Skytrax ratings. So before you fly with an airline, it is important to check its Skytrax rating.

There are currently only 8 airlines in the world who have been provided with a 5 star Skytrax rating. Airlines with a 3 or more star rating are known to provide a pleasant flight experience

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Top 10 Airports In The World For A Foodie!

Stuck with a long layover at the airport and a hungry tummy?

Figuring out what to eat is often a dreaded task for many air travellers. Between the salty fast food, stress and struggle to find a seat, airport dining isn’t typically known for its desirability.

Thankfully, airports around the world are changing this and adding more world-class restaurants to cater to all types of foodies and weary flyers.

To give you some idea about how far good airport dining has come, here are the top 10 airports in the world to satisfy the foodie in you while you travel

1.Hong Kong International Airport

The third busiest international airport in the world has some amazing food to offer to its guests!

Hong Kong International Airport has won many awards for giving travellers a dining experience that they never forget.

From “Caviar House & Prunier” to “Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao”  the consistently positive dining reviews here speak for themselves.

And if you’re craving for some delicious dumplings/authentic street food and are on a budget, try Tian Xia Dumplings which is located in Terminal 2.

2.Singapore Changi International Airport

The world’s best airport offers a number of authentic and quality dining options to travellers from around the world.

The rows of street food stalls on your way to the boarding gate will surely stop you in your tracks by offering you authentic dishes like fish-head curry, spiced pork-rib soup and mutton noodles.

The best part about this airport is that it offers a variety of different cuisines which are delicious and not very expensive.

Do visit “Imperial Treasure” for some lip-smacking Cantonese food, which is located at the airport’s Terminal 3

3.Seoul-Incheon International Airport

This South Korean airport has a lot to offer to its travellers. Casinos, spas, a premier golf course, museum and of course, authentic food.

The airport has many options for foodies but it is particularly famous for ‘Bon Bibimbap’ which is located at Terminal 1 F.

Bibimbap is a warm Korean dish that mixes rice with mixed vegetables and seafood, beef or chicken which is pretty spicy but soul fulfilling.

A comforting bowl of bibimbap is the best way to prep for a long-haul international flight.

4.Tokyo Narita International Airport

Even though Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport is one of the more famous airports from Japan, Narita International Airport is known for its fantastic selection of Japanese food all around the world.

Yakitori, sushi, udon, tonkatsu, you name it! The high-quality dining experience at Narita makes it one of the best airports in the world for authentic food.

And the best part, it suit’s every travellers budget!

5.Taoyuan International Airport

This Taiwanese airport lacks in choice when it comes to food but, more than makes up for it with food quality and price.

Even if you’re here in transit, you’ll get to try a number of local Taiwanese dishes that are quick and delicious such as bubble tea and handmade noodles.

You should surely visit the “Chun Shui Tang” café which is famous for its Chinese and Taiwanese food.

6.Munich Airport

Like the country itself, Munich Airport is very famous for its in-house breweries and authentic Bavarian delicacies.

The only shortcoming for a foodie travelling through this airport is that restaurants offer food almost 40 % above the average rate. But if you have no budget restrictions then there shouldn’t be a problem.

Plus passengers are spoilt for choice for restaurants which offer high-quality food.

Visit  “Airbräu”, a Bavarian restaurant that has a large indoor beer garden, live music, and its own on-site brewery. Enjoy a glass of their house-made beer alongside a selection of tasty Bavarian treats.

7.Hamad-Doha International Airport

Apart from an amazing shopping experience, Hamad Airport in Doha has a lot to offer when it comes to food.

You can find both gourmet and on-the-go bites at the airport.

Its food court has everything from Indian and Arabic cuisine, pasta/pizza to organic sandwiches on display for passengers to eat.

If you’re looking to indulge in some hearty Italian dishes visit celebrity chef, Massimo Capra’s restaurant, “Soprafino”.

8.Vienna International Airport

The city of Vienna is famous for its coffee houses and its airport is the perfect representation of this.

The airport has different cafes and restaurants that offer a wide selection of delicious tortes, cakes, strudels along with some coffee at an affordable rate.

These hand-made delicacies are the perfect pre-flight snack for those with a sweet tooth.

9.London Heathrow Airport

More than 75 million hungry travellers have passed through Heathrow’s gates, making it the second-most travelled international airport.

Its one of the most top rated airport in terms of food quality, thanks to restaurants owned by celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsey’s “Plane Food”.

“Wagamama” is also another crowd attractor which offers Asian comfort food like gyoza, soba, udon and ramen.

The only drawback of this airport is that even though the quality of food is top-notch at its restaurants, it is pretty expensive.

10.Amsterdam -Schiphol Airport

Schipol Airport has a bit of everything, from fine dining to more budgeted options, for different travellers.

Price and choice wise, food at the airport is very traveller friendly, however, when it comes to quality it’s not as good as London Heathrow or Singapore Changi.

Schiphol has “Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar”, the best airport bar in the world. It offers a wide selection of bubbly Champagne, plus dozens of other wines along with tasty and fresh seafood.

Want to Grab A Bite Before Your Flight? Simply download the AirWhizz App and get information about airport eateries & lounges along with real-time updates for your flight on the move. Fly Stress-Free!

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Everything You Need To Know About Mumbai Airport!

Mumbai is famous for many things, the Gateway Of India, the Elephanta Island, the Marine Drive and of course Bollywood.

But, amongst all these things, there is one which stands out and is the first thing that most tourists and foreigners visit, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport(CSMIA)!

Mumbai airport has been the second home to most frequent flyers in India and has made air travel easy for passengers passing through the city.

With its efficiency and infrastructure quality, CSMIA has become one of the best airports in India and a recognised name globally.

Yet, many of us are unaware of the years of dedication and planning that has gone in making this modern marvel.

So, let’s take a look at this airport’s journey and what it has achieved over the years.

History

‘Juhu Aerodrome’ was India’s and Bombay’s (now called Mumbai) first airport which was built in 1932. It was used by mail delivery airplanes and was located less than 2 Km from the actual site of CSMIA.

In 1940, authorities decided to find an alternative site and a spot was chosen at Santa Cruz where Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport was born.

Used by the military during World War ll by the British Royal Air Force, Mumbai Airport was managed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after Independence and in 1958, a new terminal was opened.

In 1972, the operation of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) was taken over by the International Airports Authority of India and expansion plans were soon implemented over the next three decades.

By the turn of the new millennium, the airport had grown to become one of the busiest airports in India and the world.

Awards & Recognition

Mumbai airport has transformed into a world-class airport over the years. For its efforts to modernize and upgrade the airport to meet world standards, CSMIA has won many national and international accolades. Here are a few honourable mentions:

  1. It won the ‘Best Airport In India’ Award by Air Passengers Association of India in 2007 & 2008
  2. It was the first international airport to win the prestigious ‘Airport of the Year’ Award by Frost & Sullivan Aeronautical Excellence in 2008
  3. It won the “Autodesk Hong Kong Building Information Modelling (BIM) Award” for its unique Air Traffic Control tower in 2009
  4. It also won the ‘Best Managed Airport’ award from CNBC AWAAZ in 2009 & 2014
  5. It bagged the prestigious Golden Peacock National Quality Award 2012.
  6. It received “Gold rating” in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for energy efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable terminal building design.
  7. It received the Forbes India Art Award under the “Corporate Commitment to Art” category in 2014 for its unique and beautiful airport museum “Jaya He”
  8. It bagged the prestigious ‘Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award’ in 2014 for its ‘Pranaam GVK Guest Services’.
  9. CSMIA’s Terminal 2 has been awarded the “Platinum Design Award” in 2015 for Architecture, Building and Structural Design.
  10. It has been awarded the prestigious ‘National Tourism Award 2014-15’ under the category of Best Airports in Class X (metro) Cities.
  11. It was rated as the best airport in the 25-40 million passengers per year category by ACI in the Airport Service Quality Awards 2015.
  12. It has been voted as the ‘Best Airport in India and Central Asia’ by Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2016 & 2018.
  13. It has been awarded as “Best Metro Airport 2015-16” by Air Passenger Association of India.
  14. It has been in the Top 10  ‘Best Airport Terminals’ and was awarded the ‘Best Airport Staff’ award in India & Central Asia at the Skytrax Awards in 2017.
  15. It received World’s Best Airport at the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards 2017.

Interesting Facts About Mumbai Airport

  • Majority of the people won’t know this but, Mumbai Airport is also known as the Sahar International Airport.
  • The airport is the 2nd busiest airport in the country on the basis of a total number of international passenger traffic.
  • Mumbai Airport is the primary hub for many airlines. This includes airlines like Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, GoAir, Blue Dart Aviation, JetConnect, and IndiGo
  • The airport is named after the 17th-century Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji
  • You will find 4 levels in total at Terminal 2 of the airport. It includes the first level as the ground transport, Level 2 for arrivals, Level 3 for domestic departures, and Level 4 for international departures
  • Mumbai Airport’s art museum ‘Jaya He’ is the largest art project in the world which consists of more than 6,000 artworks in total
  • The Terminal 2 area of the airport supports more than 2300 CCTV camera and over 70,000 detection devices for fire. The airport also has a multi-level car park which can support more than 5,000 vehicles
  • It is one of the best airports for shopping. The retail space in the airport is about 21,000 sq. Meters, which has many national and international branded stores in it
  • The airport has achieved a lot in the field of environmental sustainability. In fact, it was the 1st Indian and 2nd Asian airport to be accredited with the prestigious ISO 14064 certification for Carbon Emissions Accounting

If you want to know about things to do at the Mumbai Airport, look no further. Download the AirWhizz app and get information about different places to eat, shop & relax at CSMIA along with real-time flight updates the next time you fly.

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Airfares: How Airlines Price Your Flight Ticket!

Looking for flights can be great fun, especially when you land a good deal. But sometimes it’s rather frustrating.

You can spend hours on the internet, trying different websites, but reasonable airfares are nowhere to be found.

Trying to figure out an airfare pricing system can seem completely random. But what seems random, is actually the airline’s dynamic pricing, using a strategy called Airline Revenue Management.

The system uses an algorithm that adjusts fares by using information like past bookings, remaining seats, average demand for certain routes and the probability of selling more seats later.

But before we get into the details of how exactly your ticket is priced, let’s take a look at how this system came into being.

The Evolution Of Airfare Pricing

Today’s pricing system is a far cry from the initial years of commercial airline pricing which was tightly regulated by the government.

Most international routes were operated by a single national carrier and the lack of choice resulted in uncompetitive fares for consumers.

Deregulation, however, changed all that, removing government controls over routes, airfares and market entry for new airlines.

As years went by, technology started coming into play and eventually, all airlines started using it to price their tickets according to the data available.

Artificial Intelligence is today the major driving force that airlines use to price tickets, based on the buying behaviour of different types of air travellers (Leisure Travellers & Business Travellers).

Basic Price Of Your Ticket

The price of your ticket consists of a number of things:

  • Base Fare
  • Taxes and airport fees
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Service fee to issue
  • Food
  • Seat selection
  • Baggage

The last four are sometimes optional (especially for low-cost airlines) where you pay for them on top of the ticket price if you want them included.

With the traditional airlines, and for long-haul flights, these things are usually included in the ticket price.

Factors Affecting Your Airfare

1.Time

If you’ve travelled a few times by air, you must have noticed how airfares are usually at the low end, 3 to 4 months before the flight’s departure.

However, that price increase as the departure date approaches.

Leisure Travellers are flexible on dates but not on prices, while it’s the complete opposite for Business travellers.

Airlines try to attract leisure travellers by pricing the ticket at a cheaper rate so that they can fill up as many seats as possible.

The airline knows that as the departure date gets closer, business travellers will buy tickets at the last moment regardless of the price because they have to reach their destination at a specific date and time.

This is where airlines play it smart and price the seats higher.

For example, A Delhi-Mumbai flight ticket that normally costs Rs 6,000-8,000 could go up to nearly Rs 15,000 if you purchase it two days from the date of departure.

2.Competition

Fares to smaller cities with little airline competition are typically more expensive than fares to big cities with lots of different carriers.

3.Distance

The distance between two places plays a major part in deciding the airfare. The farther you fly, the more you’ll pay!

This is often true in most cases, however, on some routes this may be applicable.

The popularity of the route plays a huge part in this.

4.Demand/Supply

Airlines know when people want to fly, such as summer and major holidays. Which is why they raise prices during these peak travel periods, knowing people will pay.

Also, since there are more seats available in the start the prices are cheaper. But as the seats fill up , the supply of the seats reduces and the prices are kept high.

5.Load Factor

Airlines want to fill their planes and maximize profits. They do this by calculating a plane’s load factor.

Essentially, this is the percentage of seats sold on a flight!

Airlines don’t want to fly empty seats so they’ve become extremely efficient in calculating this load factor which helps them determine the price of a ticket.

They exactly know when and where we will fly, round the year.

6.Day/Timing Of The Flight

You’ll usually find a cheap ticket on the days when people are less likely to travel during the week. The least popular days to fly are usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Using the same concept, airlines price their tickets at a lower rate at not peak timings. Which means that if you want a cheap ticket you should choose a flight taking off at dawn, during meal times or overnight flights.

7.Flight Route

Sometimes, a connecting flight can be a lot cheaper than a nonstop flight.

For the airlines, nonstop routes are a gamble, as they require a consistent demand for travel on that exact route.

This isn’t a problem on popular routes or for flights to major cities, but usually on less compelling routes where demand could be an issue.

However, connecting flight routes solve this problem by funnelling all that traffic.

Instead of flying a half-empty plane, airlines fly a full plane to the connecting cities through the connecting flight, where they either join other passengers to fly to their destination or board a tiny regional jet for a short flight.

8.Oil Prices

As oil prices rise, so do jet fuel prices.

30% of the airline’s cost goes on fuel expenditure, which airlines cover by adding  ‘fuel surcharge’ on our airfares.

For now, it hasn’t affected us that much (Due To Competition From Low-Budget Carriers) however, airlines do feel the sting of rising oil prices.

Now that you know how air tickets are priced, Read more about “How To Save On Your Airfare”!

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10 Best Airports In The World For Shopping!

For some travellers airport shopping may mean discounted foreign liquor or high-end chocolates and sweets, but frequent international fliers know well that hubs around the globe are stepping up their retail game.

A little retail therapy can make hours spent waiting at an airport fly by.

Why waste valuable time dragging heavy bags around the city when all of your shopping needs can be fulfilled at the airport on your way home?

To intrigue the inner shopaholic in you, here are the 10 best airports in the world for shopping

1.London Heathrow Airport, England

Europe’s busiest airport boasts of a 42000 square feet shopping space which is spread over 4 terminals.

You will find everything from pocket-friendly goods to premium products from world-renowned brands.

Things like perfumes, skin care products, alcohol and chocolates are available at all terminals but if you’re looking for items from brands like Burberry, Dior, Gucci and Cartier visit the airport’s Terminal 3.

Terminal 5 of the airport showcases the best of British design and craftsmanship with brands like Mulberry, Paul Smith, Links of London, and Smythson showcasing their products to departing passengers.

2.Singapore Changi International Airport, Malaysia

Singapore’s Changi Airport has been awarded the best airport in the world for the past 6 consecutive years, thanks to its beautiful architecture, efficient operation, luxurious amenities, dining and shopping.

You’ll get to enjoy products with prices which are comparatively cheaper than most airports around the world.

If you have time to spare, you can indulge yourself at the duty-free shops which are located in Terminal 1.

It has the widest range of beauty and skincare products amongst Asia Pacific airports, with more than 190 international brands on display.

You can buy electronic items like printers, laptops ,computer accessories from renowned brands and is a paradise for gamers with an extensive range of software and hardware from Sony PlayStation on display.

A wide selection of the world’s most premium wines and spirits is available, with an alcohol sampling bar where you can taste and buy.

3.Hong Kong International Airport, China

The city has a culture of shopping, which you can experience at the airport as well.

‘SkyMart’ in Terminal 1 and ‘SkyPlaza’ in Terminal 2 have the kind of retail space which would make any shopaholic jump with joy.

SkyMart has a “Downtown Pricing Guarantee,” so the price you pay at the airport will not be higher than what you would pay in the city.

The airport is not only about high-end products either. There’s a good mix of both premium and locally branded products on display.

4.Hammad/Doha International Airport, Saudi Arabia

If you have a long-haul flight with a layover in Doha, time will fly by thanks to the wide array of restaurants and shops in ‘Qatar Duty-Free’ located inside the airport.

It consists of a shopping plaza spanning over 40.000 square meters and comprising more than 30 fine dining establishments and 70 luxury retail stores.

Products like leather goods, designer bags, watches, jewellery, perfumes, souvenirs, travel gifts etc are available apart from the usual tax-free tobacco and liquor.

Luxury brands like Burberry, Carolina Herrera, Giorgio Armani, Godiva, Harrods, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren & Rolex have their goods displayed for passengers.

It’s a bit on the expensive side but the experience is defiantly worth it!

5.Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Netherlands.

Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is the perfect paradise for shoppers on a tight budget.

It is regarded as one of the best airports for shopping because of its unique offers which run mostly round the year.

With discounts and promotions such as ‘Buy 2 Get 3 Free’ on premium products, it can make any passenger think twice before moving to the boarding gate.

You can check out the latest offers and discounts at Schiphol Airport’s Official Site.

6.Incheon International Airport, South Korea

South Korea’s main international gateway in Seoul, the Incheon International Airport, is most popular for items such as perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol and cigarettes.

It’s regarded as the best one-stop shopping place for world travellers.

The shopping plaza is located in Terminal 1 and has more than 200 popular brands located in one place.

It offers reliable products at reasonable prices and the best quality services.

7.Dubai International Airport, UAE

Dubai International Airport has been one of the top three (based on total sales) duty-free retailer for a couple of years now.

Alcohol, perfumes and gold are the must-buys in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal (also known as the Concourse) which is home to majority of the shops.

Open 24/7, there’s 58,125 square feet of retail heaven with products from premium brands up for grabs.

8.Zurich International Airport, Switzerland

Zurich Airport calls its shopping area ‘Paradise’, and it might well be, based on the reviews from frequent flyers around the world.

Switzerland is one of the last places in Europe where fliers can still buy duty-free goods.

Perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco and, of course, fine Swiss chocolates can all be pre-ordered via their website if you’re all about the bargains.

If you’re in the mood for browsing, you’ll be in for a treat, with various Swiss brands displaying their products.

Also, if you purchase stuff worth 250 Swizz Franc or more, you can check-in through their ‘Fast Track’ security queue.

9.Vancouver International Airport, Canada

Vancouver International Airport has often been voted the best airport in North America.

And one of the main reasons the airport is so highly regarded is the nearby designer outlet mall – McArthurGlen Designer Outlet.

Fashion savvy travellers can browse designer names like Armani, Coach and Banana Republic along with world-famous brands which are situated alongside top-notch restaurants and stylish coffee houses.

Prices are also reduced (up to 70%), making Vancouver Airport all the more attractive to the savvy spender. The outlet is currently being expanded to house another 35 new premium lifestyle brands.

10.Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France

Being one of the largest airports in Europe, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport may not be the most attractive, but it does house a sea of shops.

And this being Paris, the fashion capital of the world, exclusive brand names and designer boutiques that can be seen on the streets can also be found on the airport’s three terminals.

However, Terminal 2 is perhaps best if it’s luxury you’re after. It is home to upmarket brands such as Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo and Longchamp.

Now that we’ve got you excited about shopping at the airport, why not install the AirWhizz App. Get all the information about different airport shops along with real-time flight updates, airline information and much more on your fingertips and Fly Stress-Free!

 

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New Visa Rules Every Indian Passport Holder Must Know!

If you have an Indian Passport and travel abroad frequently, chances are that you’ve had to go through the, troublesome but compulsory, visa process for more than once.

As of 2018, 59 countries offer visa on arrival or visa-free travel to Indian passport holders. But that is hardly any consolation, given that most countries in Europe and North/South America still require you to get that visa stamped on your passport.

However, in what comes as slight relief, visa rules have been relaxed for some major countries where many Indians often like to travel to or live.

There is a new set of visa rules in place and if you hold an Indian passport, this might ease your travel a bit.

Let’s Take A Look At The New Rules:

1.Japan

Japan is one of those Asian countries whose visa rules for Indians used to be at par with probably the US or European countries.

But Japan has now relatively eased travel to the country for holders of Indian passport.

Travellers who want to visit ‘The Land Of The Rising Sun’ for a short while or are applying for a multiple-entry visa, you don’t need to show an employment certificate or explanation letter stating the reason for your visit.

You need your visa application form along with a valid/recent photograph and proof of your financial stability if you are travelling for tourism.

If your trip to Japan is business-related, you need documents to prove your affiliation to the enterprise.

2.France

You do not need to apply for an airport transit visa if you’re travelling through any of the international airports in France.

What this means is that if you have a connecting flight from India to somewhere via an airport in France, you do not need to apply separately for a French visa.

3.Oman

If you are travelling to Oman, you can now get a month-long tourist visa on arrival in the country for an amount of 20 Omani Riyal (Rs 3,700).

However, this rule holds only if you reside or hold an entry visa to the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan or Schengen states.

Your spouse and children accompanying you can also get a visa on arrival.

4.United Arab Emirates (UAE)

If you are a specialist in medicine, science and research, or even an exceptional student or investor, the UAE will grant you a 10-year-long work visa if you want to visit the country.

UAE wants to encourage highly skilled professionals and potential investors to visit them so that they can boost their economy.

Travellers will also be allowed to fly between India and the rest of the world through Dubai and Abu Dhabi on a free transit visa valid for 48 hours. This validity can be extended up to 96 hours by paying a small fee.

Another ruling is, that between July 15th and September 15th every year, dependents under the age of 18 can get free visas.

5.Myanmar

You can now drive into Myanmar without any hassle, as Indian travellers don’t need a special land route permit to enter into the country.

You can apply for an e-visa prior to your departure and present it at the check-post, which you will receive, in less than 24 hours and is valid for 28 days after your entry.

6.Kazakhstan

Travelling to a country on Kazakhstan‘s national carrier Air Astana or any other Kazakh airline?

You can get a 72-hour transit visa for Kazakhstan, that too for free. If you plan to stay in Astana or Almaty, book your hotel in advance and make sure to inform the airline before departure.

They have also started issuing 30-day e-visas to Indian travellers.

7.Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia will issue tourist visas to women aged 25 and above, even if they visit the country without being accompanied by a man.

This is thanks to Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, who wants a ‘moderate, open Islam’ system in his country.

This is the first time Saudi Arabia has relaxed visa rules on this front.

Other New Visa Rules You Should Know About:
  • Israel has now cut down its visa fee for Indian passport holders from Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,100. You need to apply for a visa in the B2 visa (business, tourism or meeting or conference) category in order to avail the new price.
  • Travelling to Uzbekistan from India is also easier now. Submit your e-visa application three days before your trip. You can get a single-entry e-visa for a 30-day period.
  • Indian passport holders can now get a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe. India is among the 28 countries that Zimbabwe has relaxed visa rules for.

*The next time you’re travelling abroad, Download the AirWhizz App! Upload your flight details within the app itself and get Flight Information, Airport & Airline Information, Purchase Travel Insurance And Much More!

It is the only App you need when you Fly!

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10 Tips To Save On Your Next Flight Ticket!

Air travel has become really cheap in India if you compare it with the international market.

We can appreciate the government of India for its efforts in making flights economic and taking initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), which has led to the reason for flights becoming inexpensive.

All seems good but, there is another side to all this.

The tickets are expensive on major routes and are super expensive if you need it urgently. So, let’s check out some tricks that can help you land a cheap ticket the next time you fly.

1. Decide The Days You’ll Fly

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the three most important days in a week for most of us. After all, Friday marks the beginning of our much needed weekend breaks!

However, things turn upside down when it comes to booking flight tickets on these three days.

Usually, most people fly on these three days, which obviously causes the airline to raise those airfares.

However, travel experts say that if you travel during mid-week, say between Monday-Thursday, you can easily get a discount of Rs 500 – Rs 2,000 on your booking.

2.Book Your Flight In Advance

Booking a flight ticket has become easy these days. A few minutes on the internet and your booking will be confirmed in seconds!

But have you ever thought about the best time to book a flight?

Ideally you should book a domestic flight 7 weeks prior and an international flight around 12 weeks prior to your date of travel.

This can save you as much as Rs 3000 on your next flight ticket.

3.Keep A Track Of Your Flight Schedules & Fares

Airlines often use the term ‘Airfares are subject to change’. So why not make the most of it!

Before making your next booking, keep a regular track on the flight schedules and fares.

Since the airfares are subjected to change, there is every possibility that you might get your tickets at the best possible price.

In fact, you can even get it at half of the actual price.

4.Keep Your Travel Plan Flexible

Sometimes taking a direct flight is much more expensive than taking a flight to an airport near your final destination and then travel by land or water.

It is observed that the flights to the major cities or the airports usually comes with a hefty price tag.

If you aren’t too rigid on traveling on a direct flight to your destination and are ok with a little detour then you should definitely try this.

This will not only help you save on your flight ticket but will also allow you time for a trip within a trip.

5. Try Different Airlines

Most frequent flyers prefer this, especially those who fly internationally.

As mentioned above, direct flights might be very expensive, however, if you break your journey into multiple parts, your flight cost might reduce to a certain limit.

For instance, if you’re travelling to New York from New Delhi, a direct flight might cost you more than taking a detour to a European country and booking a flight from there to New York on a different airline.

Also, considering the fact that not all the airline carriers offer the same price from a particular destination, you can always opt for the most reasonable flights and complete your journey.

6.Split Your Travelling Group Into Multiple Small Groups

It’s a common myth that booking flight tickets in bulk always results in low cost or an added amount of discount!

But sometimes airlines do offer group booking discounts on certain occasions, that too for smaller groups.

In case, you’re travelling in a large group, split it into smaller groups and book tickets individually for those groups.

Sounds a bit complicated, but it definitely does the trick and helps you save money.

7.Use The Right Website/App To Book your Flight

With the evolution in the digital world, things are now only a click away from us.

Even when it comes to booking flights, a small application in your mobile phone can help or guide you through the entire process.

On top of this, these applications and websites not only help you in booking, but also analyses the cost of the flights from different airlines and offer you the most reasonable price.

Sites and apps such as Skyscanner, MakeMyTrip and GoIbibo can get you the best flight deals from across the globe.

8.Subscribe To An Airline’s Newsletter/Website

Airlines, quite often come up with some early-bird offers, off-season sale and discounts.

Though these offers come for a short duration, they do allow the flyers to book their tickets at a discounted price.

Do subscribe to all these promotional offers and newsletters, and get the right offers at the right time!

9.Use The Right Card To Pay For Your Ticket

Debit or Credit Cards have  replaced the common trait of dealing with cash. Even while booking flight tickets online, we now prefer using our cards.

In case you didn’t know, now a days credit/debit card companies offer special travel offers exclusively to their customers.

So keep an eye out for this or you can simply ask your bank’s representative what all offers do they have for frequent flyers .

10.Join Frequent Flyer Programmes

Whether you are a frequent flyer or fly just twice a year, sign up with different frequent flyer programs.

Join rewards programs with different airlines. You can use your accumulated points to save up on your airplane seat or better, upgrade it.

Airlines always have discounts and promotional offers for their frequent flyer program members.

Use those saved up miles to travel to that destination in first class or a business class seats on long, expensive flights and fly stress-free.

If you want to know more about different airline policies, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get all the information about you airline and airport, along with real-time weather and flight updates on the move.

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