Important News and Announcements

 1. Lufthansa baggage policy.

Lufthansa has changed its baggage policy to India, it is now one free checked in baggage from mid november of 2010.

2. Baggage policy on United Airlines from offline cities.

Effective immediately, Free Check-in Baggage Allowance on UA Economy class for traffic between North America and India, will be 1PC when UA is the first check-in carrier (irrespective of plating or overwater carrier).

UA will charge passenger for the 2nd PC as per their applicable baggage fee. However, if the passenger checks-in with QR first, then 2PC will apply on UA sectors as well.

E.g.: For a journey BOM-QR-DOH-QR-IAD-UA-CHI-UA-NYC-QR-DOH-QR-BOM, 2PC will apply on the outbound i.e. BOM-CHI (as QR is the first check-in carrier) and 1PC will apply on the return i.e. CHI-BOM (as UA will be the first check-in carrier).

In simple terms, UA policy is : first operating carriers rules apply.

3. Customers Traveling to the United States from Europe Through American airlines,

Effective immediately, and until further notice, customers traveling on American Airlines from Europe will be limited to *one* carry-on item. The carry-on item must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat and cannot exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height). This limit will apply to customers originating on American Airlines and customers originating on other carriers connecting to American Airlines for flights to the US from Europe. Customers traveling in First Class, Business Class or with PriorityAAccess will be exempt from this restriction as will AAirpass, Aadvantage Executive Platinum. Platinum, or Gold members and oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, or Ruby members. For these customers, the normal carry-on allowance of one bag plus one personal item still applies.

Checked bag charges will not apply for items that customers intended to carry-on and are now restricted and must be checked. For this waiver to apply, the additional item being checked must be within the carry-on bag size limits. This restriction applies on all American Airlines flights to the United States from Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.

It is highly recommended that you refer to AA.com/travelalerts for up-to-date information about airport security, as well as travel policies related to current weather conditions around the globe.

Effective today, December 18, 2009, when customers have tickets issued by Etihad Airways for American Airlines operated flights, they will be charged for the second bag at the American Airlines check-in counter. This is consistent with Americans baggage policy and should eliminate any future misunderstandings.

4.The International Checked Baggage charges (ICBC ) for the 2nd PC is not applicable when the guest checks in at counter and connecting (without stopover) to AA domestic OR international service. However, when the guest checks in at the AA counter and connecting (with or without stopver) to domestic OR international service, he will be charged for the second piece.

Certain examples to give a clearer picture:

1. MAA-DEL-ORD will NOT collect ICBC as long as no stopover in DEL, AA will NOT charge guest in DEL (as he is in transit).
2. BOM-BRU-ORD will NOT collect ICBC, AA will NOT charge the guest in BRU (as he is in transit). However, BOM-BRU-ORD with a stop over in BRU, AA will collect fee for BRU-ORD after the stopover as guest is now boarding the BRU-ORD flight.
3. BOM-LHR-ORD interline journey with no stopover no charge by NOR AA.
4. ORD-BRU-DEL WILL collect ICBC of $50 on 2ndbag and retain the fee collected.
5. ORD-DEL-BLR WILL collect ICBC at ORD.
6. BOM-BRU-JFK-IAD not to collect ICBC IF no stopover. If guest has a stopover at JFK and flies JFK-IAD 2 days later, AA WILL collect the domestic checked baggage fees. (Please check the aa.com/bag for further information).

Reminder: UNITED AIRLINES (tickets issued on/after 30SEP09 and US AIRWAYS(travel on/after 04NOV09) have also implemented the Economy Free Allowance to one checkin baggage on their International connections to/from the US to India. Please check the respective airline websites for further details.

5. Changes in India's Tourist Visa policy

In December 2009, India introduced a new rule that prevents Tourist visa holders from re-visiting India within 2 months after last leaving. That rule has been updated recently to include the following: All Tourist visa holders, including 6 Month visa holders, and Non US citizens holding a Tourist visa are impacted by the new rule. Some exceptions can be made on a case by case basis as decided on by the local Consulates. Exception reasons include sick family members in India.

More details are available here: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/pdf/Tourist_Visa_FAQ.pdf

please check our website from time to time for the changes in travel industry.