Would you reconsider a trip to India in the current situation?

[ajandjjmum]

We are in the middle of planning a trip to India in October this year - everything coming together well. But we are wondering whether we should hold off in view of the current situation in Iran/Israel/US etc.

Trip also includes a couple of domestic flights with Air India (now I know I'm being silly!)

Any thoughts gratefully received!

Erm yes we are visiting family this August. Why not?

Although we did change a couple of domestic flights from Air India to Indigo purely because of my unreasonable irrationality...

Iran is a v long way from India.

While I would avoid going anywhere in the Middle East, I wouldn't think twice about going ahead with a trip to India. And I am a very anxious traveller!

Is your question in relation to the flight paths from UK to India and having to cross Iranian air space? Becuase flights are currently simply avoiding that air space and going other routes. Hundreds a day.

What specifically about India is the issue? Would understand during the Indo-Pak skirmishes lately - but whats this to do with Iran?

I wouldn’t be going there. Certainly not flying with Air India

Some of these paranoid posts are getting silly now

What airlines would you fly with which presumably have never crashed? ANd why would you "not go there"?

The UK is more at risk of repercussions from a US-Iran war than India.

I suppose it is the fact that this would be our first trip to India, which is already outside my comfort zone.

We're flying BA to Delhi and just a couple of internal flights on Air India to Varanasi and Jaipur.

My main concern is the current situation with Iran escalating, and evolving to draw in more of the world. Then again, if that happens, we'll have a lot more to worry about that a cancelled trip to India!

Best start looking for insurers that cover war and terrorism!

We travel regularly and normally plan our own itineraries without concern. This trip just feels a little different. Not normally concerned travellers at all!

Thanks - that's helpful!

I think it probably is the flight paths. Not overly concerned about the recent skirmishes on the Pakistan border, as we won't be in that area. A combination of a country I know little about and have never visited, together with the current unsettled world situation.

No-one said concern was logical!

I'd be more concerned about the heat wave.

@EcrireJust look at the news over the last couple of months, if nothing else

Well, it sounds like you don’t want to go anyway to be honest!

That'll be why I've spent the past month looking at plans for the trip! 😜

We will be going to India this year, or possibly at the start of next year, for a wedding. It hadn't crossed my mind to not go. I actually cannot wait! Iran is not near India.

That’s a bit stupid tbh. Indigo is newer and uses just graduated pilots as a whole to save costs. Indian pilots who aren’t ex-military tend earn their miles on domestic airlines and then move up to Air India so you’re statistically more likely to crash on one of them.

Athens is closer to Tehran than Dehli is so perhaps the OP should make sure she avoids Greece too.

Air India is hands down the shittest airline I have ever flown. I’d rather go long haul on EasyJet than do their business class Heathrow to Mumbai again.

It was like a 1970s timewarp.

OP, I’m sure you’re on top of it, but MY GOD is the visa process a pain.

OP is doing internal flights on Air India.

I read that, yes. Doesn’t stop it being a horrible timewarp experience internally too

I have not had an issue with internal AI flights. Delhi Jaipur will be less than an hour, I think.

My friend has planned a big trip to India for October & no plans to change. She briefly worried when the India/ Pakistan problems were happening & some flights cancelled. She's content now though that they're not near the border where the trouble is (same goes for lots of countries people go to all the time but know not to be near the border, e.g. Turkey, Egypt).

Regarding Iran/ US, India wouldn't pop into my thoughts about that. And regarding Air India, this wouldn't either. My friend is flying Air India from Gatwick, she made a joke about about getting seat 11A but no serious concerns. Really, there's probably no more safer time to fly Boeing or Air India than right after something so crazily rare and terrible. They will be doing their utmost to avoid even non-serious minor issues that the media could pick up on.

So, enjoy your holiday I'd 100% go - as will many others. There is always a problem somewhere or a risk you have to acknowledge, but nothing overly risky here & we all have to continue living our lives 🩷 You'll be pleased with yourself when you return with all the memories & experiences!

Delhi - Jaipur is probably quicker by road by the time you take out the airport transfers at each end, and the waiting around at the airport.