Air India to Thailand Review – Layovers, Service & Concerns
If you are flying from Thailand to the United States or Europe, one airline with low cost fares is Air India. Having flown Air India twice from Bangkok to Newark/NY in recent years, I thought it would be helpful to offer an objective review of the experience, and why Air India is an airline I often recommend to Thailand expats and travelers.
Air India often has the cheapest fares when traveling internationally from (or to) Bangkok, Thailand. My most recent fare from Bangkok to Newark/NY was 29,750 baht ($850 USD) for an economy class ticket. Despite having the lowest fares, some people are hesitant to fly Air India.
The two main reasons why Thailand-based flyers often choose another airline is the long layover at Delhi International Airport and the mistaken belief that their luggage won’t be checked through to their final destination (thus requiring that they pick up their luggage in Delhi and check it through again).
The reason people think that their luggage won’t be checked through when flying Air India from Bangkok is that websites like Trip.com often say that your luggage won’t be checked through. However, this is a mistake. In most all cases, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination when flying Air India from Bangkok to the U.S. or Europe (or vice versa).
The long layovers at Delhi International Airport when flying from Bangkok to the U.S. or Europe are a potential deal breaker for many travelers. When I first saw that my return flight would include a 14.5 hour layover in Delhi, my initial reaction was to look for another airline.
However, on further investigation, I found that there is a Holiday Inn Express located within the Delhi International Airport, with rooms that can be booked by the hour. So, traveling with 3 family members, I booked two rooms for 9 hours. And at a price (which when added to the Air India airfares) that still gave me the lowest total cost for my return trip from Bangkok to Newark (NY).
The Holiday Inn Express at Delhi International Airport (T3) – Review
Booking rooms at the Holiday Inn Express (Terminal 3) for my long layover at the Delhi airport turned out to be a great decision. The rooms are quiet, tidy, and comfortable — perfect for getting a good night’s sleep after a long 13+ hour flight. This means that instead of arriving in Bangkok all tired, achy, and jet-lagged, you land in Thailand fully refreshed.
When booking your stay at the Holiday Inn Express, you want to be sure to book your stay in the Domestic Wing. Some reviews of this Delhi airport hotel say that it is difficult to get to and quite out of the way, but that’s not true. Here are the simple directions.
When you walk into the departure area for connecting flights (with all the shops and restaurants) keep walking straight for about 125 meters or so, until you see a pharmacy on your right. Turn right at the pharmacy and go down a long hallway. At the end of the hallway is an elevator. Take the elevator up to the Holiday Inn Express.
We were able to get into our room even though we arrived about 45 minutes early, so don’t worry about getting to the hotel prior to your booking time. You can buy food at one of the restaurants in the departure area and bring it into your room, or you can take advantage of the free Indian meal which is included with your room reservation.
Things to Know About Delhi International Airport
When you arrive at the Delhi International Airport on Air India, your plane will be met by a shuttle bus which takes you to Terminal 3, where you’ll be getting your connecting flight to Bangkok, Thailand, the United States, or Europe.
You’ll enter the ground floor of Terminal 3 and follow the signs for travelers who are getting connecting flights. At one point it gets a little confusing. Right before you arrive at passport control, you’ll see a sign for connecting flights that points toward locked glass doors. You want to walk straight ahead toward passport control and then turn right and turn back (in the direction from which you came) toward an escalator that takes you to the departure area for connecting flights.
While Air India has excellent, polite service, the baggage security staff at Delhi International Airport tend be rather gruff, bordering on rude, with poor English skills. Try to pay very close attention to anything they might say to you, because they sometimes get angry when you can’t understand them.
You can avoid having to talk with security by making sure you take off your belt, shoes, anything in your pockets, and removing all electronic equipment from bags. Watch closely what other travelers are doing in front of you and follow their lead.
Air India Service Review
I have zero complaints about Air India’s plane and service, especially considering the price of their airfares and that it is a low-cost airline. Free liquor and beer is provided at the beginning of the flight, and the friendly stewardesses don’t mind if you ask for a heavy pour of liquor or two cans of beer.
The Indian food is always outstanding, whether it is dinner, lunch, or breakfast. Sometimes they do run out of the chicken dishes, but don’t refuse a vegetarian dish! I almost passed up a vegetarian offering, only to be given one of the most delicious Indian dishes I have ever had: Samosas with potato and chick pea filling.
The seats on Air India are not luxurious and only go back a little ways, but they are perfectly fine for most people, and the slight recline prevents you from having your flight ruined by the person in front of you. The pillow and blanket are very soft, helping you to relax.
There are both classic and new films available to watch on the small screen in front of you, as well as TV shows. My only disappointment during my last flight was the lack of bilingual (or majority English language) Indian films, as I enjoy many Bollywood movies, and Air India used to include these films among their choices.
Early Check-In
When flying internationally on Air India from Thailand, you can check in early by downloading the very useful Air India mobile app, which provides timely information about your flight, updates, and reminders. I highly recommend downloading the app, and checking in early, as you can check your seat assignment, and if other seats are available, change your seat.
Early check-in on Air India begins 48 hours before your flight leaves. Note that even if you check in early, you still have to check in at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and hand over your luggage to Air India. In other words, you can’t avoid in person check-in and there is no special baggage drop off for travelers who check in early.
So, all things considered, I can highly recommend flying Air India to Bangkok, Thailand from the United States or Europe, or (if you are an expat in Thailand) using Air India to fly back home. Don’t let the long layover in Delhi discourage you!
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