Hi everybody, As must be known to many here, I am a senior citizen - resident of Bangalore India. I need to travel to USA- urgently,california to be specific. There are too many updates on travel during this pandemic but nothing is clear regarding the actual requirements to be able to travel now. I would like some help from someone who knows the exact requirements and what is safest route/airline to travel now, or someone who has actually travelled during this time. We have been following all the updates on media, etc but have not been able to decifer clear outlines. Thanks in advance if anyone can clarify things in this regard.
Hi Ma’am, There are only limited airline options now. United is one of them. It might be best to call the airline directly and ask what the current rules are, since the situation keeps changing.
Hello mam, There is a group in Face book called SOS Global Indians. It has all layers information of people travelling to India from US and India to US. Please post your query there and you can see amazing responses. As far as I know Air India and United are the only two airlines available. I know that people are Travelling still
But then finally what happened? Could you go and join your sons at calif. concerned because you raised this query at a time when world is gripped with fear psychosis due to COVID 19.
You do not mention anything about nationality, and travel visa. If you are an indian passport holder, with a non-immigrant visa to the USA, please call Lufthansa's local agent in Banglaore, and ask them if you are allowed to land in your USA port of entry. Lufthansa is flying nonstop to Frankfurt, enroute to the US westcoast cities. If you are an immigrant visa holder to usa, or a US Citizen on OCI visa to India, tell that to the airline agent, and they can tell you the pretest requirement for boarding, and quarantine requirements for admittance at your final destination city. Do not attempt to travel with more than one transit stop. This would complicate your already difficult travel. The reason why many people do not know the exact requirement, is that the requirements seem to change frequently, and remain fluid. This is the reason to go with the most trusted airline-transit-country on your possible routes. Even if you learn something from an internet source, call the airline, who will have the final say-so about whether or not they let you get on board their flight.
@Thyagarajan and @ Hopikrishnan, Thank you very much for your response. I agree things were very uncertain when i asked for some clarity. Even now, we are told normal international flights are yet to begin. Yes, we are on non immigrant visa (tourist) to USA of indian nationality requiring to proceed from india. Finally, my son has made arrangements by booking our flight through Air india operating through the air bubble arrangements with USA and other countries. We would be leaving India on the 5th november. Just hoping we have a safe and comfortable journey. Thanks again for the suggestions.
@joylokhi - We travelled back to US few months ago via AI VBM special flights. I do not know if rules have changed or better of if airports are more open in terms of food services. So be prepared to carry some eatables and lots of sanitizers - liquids and sprays. We are asked not to move around much in flights and did not have any food service or entertainment services on screens. Packaged food they left on seats is horrible. You will have to quarantine once you reach. Also check travel insurance etc specially with covid rules. Have a safe journey.
@sanjuruby3 I dont think there is any mandatory quarantine rule in USA after intl flights (voluntary is a different thing).
Thank u @sanjuruby3 and @netflx , nice to get first hand experience. Yes, ill carry light food items. Im told there is no need for quarantine . However we will quarantine ourselves for a few days at home there, as a new born is there.
