How to Select the Best Airlines for USA to India Flights?

Choosing airlines is the first step of your journey.

However, most of the passengers go with the flow and overlook the importance of the first step.

Selecting the next cheapest airline ticket to your preferred destination is not always the best approach.

Since, you want to book the best-value flight deals and not the lowest-value flight ticket.

Many factors come into play while ascertaining the same.

Therefore, this article will tell you how to select the best airlines for the USA to India flight.

Factors to Consider to Select the Best Airlines:

1. Budget

Your budget is the determining factor. Let’s break it down into three categories:

• Low

If your budget is on the lower side, you have to invest more of your time. Research on the internet. Look for the best deals by following various airlines.

Anyhow, your best bet is air carriers such as Air India. The airline also offers more legroom compared to other airlines’ budget deals.

You may also come across cheap Lufthansa flights operating on the many USA to India routes. So, look for more such airlines that offer budgeted deals.

• High

If you are willing to spend more, you have a lot of options. However, you wouldn’t want to overspend. Therefore, you can compare from a handful of airlines that you prefer before finalizing the deal.

There are plenty of airlines that will offer you high-priced flight tickets. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are getting the best deal possible.

So, go for airlines that have a good reputation in the aviation market. This may include Qatar Airways, Emirates flight deals to India, and so on.

• Medium

If your budget is neither rock-bottom nor lavish, you must make your choice well in advance. Start looking for flight at least a month in advance, and track the pricing trend.

2. Class Type

Also, while selecting the airline, take into account the class type. What section of the plane would you like to fly in? Is it Economy, Business or First-Class?

• Economy Class

Not every economy class is the same. Therefore, you must know what airline suits your needs.

Do you want more baggage allowance, seat pitch or an extra meal? Jot down your preferences, and then work your way around.

For instance, Qatar Airways offers a seat pitch of up to 34 inches, which is incomparable.

Also, the airlines have a smart seat configuration on aircraft that operate between the USA to India.

If you want to carry more baggage, you can check-out airlines such as Air India as it offers up to 55 lbs of free check-in baggage.

• Business Class

While looking for business class fares to India check out facilities offered by a particular airline.

Not just the onboard facilities or inflight entertainment but add on services such as priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and so on.

For example, traveling on business class on Cathay Pacific flights to India will give you access to state-of-the-art entertainment, lie-flat seats, luxury amenity kit, and more.

• First-Class

Some of the best first-class flight experience on the USA to India routes is offered by airlines such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Emirates.

Avail of services servicers such as valet parking, airport transfers, personal assistant, and other services that go beyond the onboard experience.

3.  Check-in and Customer Care

Nowadays, you can check-in for a flight through various different ways like web check-in, and self kiosk check-in.

So, the traditional way of airport check-in is not the only option available to you.

Also, check-in shapes your travel experience to a large extent. And, another service closely associated with check-in is customer care.

Therefore, be mindful that the airline you choose has an efficient customer support and effective check-in services. ANA or All Nippon Airways, for example, has one of the best 24 hours of customer support.

ANA airline baggage allowance is an add-on! Similarly, you can also select JetBlue as the airline has excellent customer support.

Also, before booking tickets to India ensure that you understand the ticketing policies. This is what you want to check out:

• Cancelation Policy

If your travel itinerary is not yet concrete, the cancelation policy can be a life-saver.

Therefore, make sure you book tickets with an airline that has lenient or at least a favorable cancelation policy. The airfare refund will depend on it.

• Ticket Change Policy

Let’s say, you are not sure which one of your friends will accompany you on your trip to India. Such a situation demands a ticket change.

Also, most airlines charge you a fee to make changes in the reservation such as name change, etc. So, look for an airline that has low ticket change charges.

• Route Network:

Connectivity is one of the key factors while selecting the airlines you wish to travel with. An airline with a more extensive route network means that you have a wider choice.

You can not only select the destination of your choice, but also the time that is most convenient for you.

Let’s take the example of Turkish Airlines. It is the largest mainline carrier in the world when you take into account the number of destinations it serves.

Moreover, Turkish Airlines operates nonstop flights to 126 countries from a single airport. It far exceeds any other air carrier in the world.

Also, Air India and United Airlines have many flights that operate from the USA to India. It gives you flexibility in choice.

For instance, if you want to travel to Mumbai, you can book nonstop flights to Mumbai from Newark, the USA with Air India or United Airlines.

You will find it difficult to score the same travel itinerary on any other airline.

4.  Loyalty Programs

Enrolling for a frequent flyer program gives you access to a lot of privileges.

However, if you want to fly from the USA to India, there are some airlines that offer attractive loyalty programs.

• Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan is one of the best loyalty programs to earn free flight tickets from the USA to India.

Once you complete 50,000 miles, you can get a one-way free economy ticket. If you want to score a Premium economy you need at least 65,000 miles.

To travel business class and first class for free, you must have at least 75,000 and 105,000 miles under your belt respectively.

• United MileagePlus

United Airline’s frequent flyer program is also great for the USA to India travel.

Although you need more miles than Aeroplan, you do not have to pay high carrier surcharges.

To fly one-way on first class for free you need 140,000 miles. For business class travel you need at least 75,000 miles.  Moreover, United Airline’s 9 seat configuration for the economy class between the USA to India gives you more comfort.

So, be mindful of the above factors while booking the USA to India flight deals.

Airlines come up with exciting deals and promotions from time to time. It is important that you follow the latest market trends and travel news.