Travel to India - East or West and Which Airlines?
 

Need advice please! I am traveling to India late January-February 2014. I am using a Business Saver award on United. Departing from Denver, I am going east through Washington DC and Frankfurt, arriving in Mumbai. I am flying United to Frankfurt (777-200) and then connecting on Lufthansa for a flight to Mumbai (747-400). On my return, I am debating between the following routings: flying east from Delhi to Tokyo to Denver OR flying west from Delhi to Newark to Denver. The Delhi to Tokyo flight would be on an ANA 767-300 which is NOT lie flat (only 160 degrees - ugh) and then an 8-hour flight leaving at 1:15 a.m., but I would connect in Tokyo onto a United 787 dreamliner. The alternative, if I can get it, would be flying out of Delhi to Newark on a United 777-200 and then connecting through Chicago. The travel times are about the same.

Would love any insights on which direction is best to travel and which carrier(s)/planes are best.

Thanks in advance!

You're coming half-way around the world so I would advise you to fly on whichever route/equipment you'll be most comfortable and can sleep.

Well, that probably speaks against the non-lie flat! I have to say that flying around the world (literally) is kind of cool but I guess I should go for the most comfortable planes and best connection times. Have you been to India, MmePerdu?

You will probably get more answers on the Airlines board, as this is a question about flying, not about India.

I agree, go for the best planes and best connection times. I live in Seattle so flying west through Narita makes the most sense for me. You can fly either way.

Yes, I've been to India several times. I come from California so have always flown transpacific. One trip I went business class and it made all the difference, needless to say. It was not a flat bed but anything is better than coach. So I'd go with the most comfortable you can afford.

Thursdaysd, do you mean Fodor's airlines board or other sites? Also, doe anyone have advice about getting a travel visa? That's been outsourced to a third party (BLS) that is incompressible. The contact numbers don't work.

I should also mention, rather than doing a straight connection I've always (if I remember correctly) stopped in Hong Kong for a few days. Cathay Pacific into HKG. I've found it makes arrival in India smoother for me.

There are a couple of ongoing threads here on Fodor's discussing the difficulties of getting visas in a timely manner from BLS. Several people have reported better success by going to one of their offices in person. There are also articles online reporting an impending visa-on-arrival program but considering the closeness of your travel date going to a BLS office would likely be your best option.

I would probably go for DEL-EWR-ORD-DEN and then hope to change to DEL-EWR-DEN. I would also look to change to LH first class for DEN-FRA.

Thx for all of this great advice. Re BLS, I wanted to go in person to the DC office (where I travel once a month), but I was told by the Indian Embassy that I must deal with the regional consulate in Houston that serves Colorado. Tried to call Houston and the line went to a voicemail box that was "full." Not sure what to now! Appreciate any recommendations.

I'm giving the BLS email service a little test, asking if I need to transfer my 10 year visa into my new passport. This to the San Francisco office.

If I were you, since you go to DC anyway, I'd fill out the form and bring everything into that office just to see what happens. One never knows what the truth is if the reports are any indication and it certainly couldn't hurt to try if you have a few hours to devote to it. I'd be interested to hear how it goes if you do.

I meant the Fodors airline board. However, having flown across both the Atlantic and the Pacific several times, I would always opt for the lie flat seats if avalable. I would also be inclined to stop off for a couple of days if I had to make connections, but I am retired and have the time to do so.

Thanks, MmePerdu. I don't really have time to waste showing up at BLS International if they are not going to process my visa because I live in another "jurisdiction." Maybe I'll call the India Embassy again and see if I get another answer...They sure don't make it easy, do they?

No, they aren't making it easy but I think it's a learning curve for them and likely will get better. That and the possibility of the visa-on-arrival. But I'm sure you know you have no time to waste.

NE 2907 I would go to flyertalk.com where you'll find the most informed audience in terms of frequent flyer routing questions. Personally if I were routing back via Asia I would try to get myself on one of the Asian partners, particularly Singapore. If you do this as a round you could possibly add in a stopover to your trip if you wanted one in Europe. There are a lot of ways to maximize a trip like this and flyertalk is the best way to explore the possibilities.