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Flying with Nepal Airlines(RA) for Dashain via Delhi
fly2nepal.com Aug 27, 2008
Short Version:
We don't normally bring passengers via Delhi, and we seldom connect passengers through Nepal Airlines (RA). Because most seats are sold out for Dashain, this may be the only option available for people wanting to return home. This combination will certainly be several hundred dollars cheaper than coming directly through Nepal, but comes with its share of risks. This information is posted so you can make a better decision.
Despite the surge of airlines to Kathmandu, there is unprecedented demand for seats during Dashain and Tihar (Oct/Nov). As a result, almost every flight flying into Kathmandu – Gulf, Qatar, Etihad, Jet, Singapore/Silk, Cathay/Dragon, and Thai are sold out, and if you should get a seat between now and Dashain, the prices will very expensive. Limited seats are available in business class but these seats are outside the range of most passengers.
For those passengers who are still interested in going home, the Delhi route may be the only option. Even though there are almost 25 flights a week between Jet, Indian Airlines, and Jet Lite, all of them are virtually sold out.
That leaves Nepal Airlines (RA) the only option.
With the exception of flight combinations with Jet Airways, we don’t generally suggest flying through Delhi (Read our older article - Travelling though Delhi) and we are very hesitant using Nepal Airlines because it has a well-known history of flight cancellations and delays. However, if you must come home for this year’s festivities, and you are flexible by a few days, flying through Delhi with a RA combination might be the only option.
Here are a couple of advantages:
· In Sep and Oct, there are huge sales to India, and by taking this route, the ticket prices will be several hundred dollars cheaper if you have a flexible flight.
· There are many flights to Delhi from an airport near you, so you get to fly in an airline of your choice until Delhi.
· For American passport holders visiting Nepal at that time, you have the option of stopping in Delhi for a couple of days at no cost. Nepali passport holders don’t need a visa in India.
· RA’s flights in the past few months have been in time more frequently. Both RA’s planes are in service.
· On several days, RA has a morning flight and that could eliminate the long wait at Delhi airport.
The disadvantages:
· RA has a reputation flight cancellations and delays, and it might be no different at this time of the year. If a flight gets postponed or cancelled, rescheduling is almost impossible.
· The connection flights might not be optimal resulting in a long transit or overnight stay in Delhi.
· Baggage may not be checked all the way to Kathmandu, and it is your responsibility to check in and verify that your luggage is on the RA flight to Kathmandu.
A couple of important points:
· American passport holders need a tourist visa to get out of the airport. Visa on arrival is not possible. No visas are required for Nepali passport holders.
· There have been considerable improvements while traveling through Delhi. However, two passengers have been harassed by the Delhi customs, and one traveler had some of his valuables stolen.
· We are providing this information as a courtesy to our Nepal bound passengers and you are traveling at your own risk.
For more information, you can call us at 202.465.4266 or email us at info@zentravels.com
Relevant Links:
· Blue skies ahead - Nepal's national airline is finally flying out of turbulence (Nepali times, Aug 15-21, 2008)
· NAC to run under public-private partnership (Nepalnews, Aug 21, 2008)
· Goats sacrificed to fix Nepal Jet (BBC, 5 Sep, 2007)
· Travelling though Delhi (fly2nepal.com, 2006)
Posted on: August 27, 2008