Air India International Travel Guidelines

By Andrew Lewis on 13 Sep 2023

With flights to 39 countries around the world and 46 domestic destinations, Air India is the country’s flagship carrier. Founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines, this example of civil aviation recently changed hands; once owned by the Government of India, it’s now a private carrier.

Air India’s hub is based in New Delhi, India’s capital city. If you’re traveling to India from abroad or traveling within the country by plane, odds are you’ll be taking Air India flights. Here’s what passengers flying on Air India should know about the carrier’s travel guidelines.

Air India International Guidelines for Travelers

There’s nothing worse than arriving at the airport before your flight, only to find out you’re missing crucial documents or your bag is too big. Avoid this by reading about Air India’s international travel guidelines so you can be prepared in advance.

Air India Visas and Documentation

For incoming international flights to India, arriving passengers will need to carry the following documentation:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid India visa (specific to reason for travel)
  • Any necessary health documents, such as vaccinations against yellow fever

For domestic flights, you’ll also need your passport and visa, as well as a ticket issued in your name. You’ll be asked to fill out a self-declaration form and submit copies to the Health and Immigration Counters.

For some specific cities, islands, or regions, international passengers coming in also need entry permits with prior approval. Current destinations requiring entry permits include: Agatti Island, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India issues tourism visas for different travel purposes, like tourism, business, or medical travel. You can get a standard paper visa or an e-visa. Most international travelers prefer the e-visa as it’s faster and valid for either one month, one year, or five years. The paper tourism visa is valid for ten years, but it generally requires a consulate or embassy visit as opposed to applying for an e-visa online.

Check Air India’s Visas, Documents, and Travel Tips page for updated information.

Air India Baggage Policies

The following is an overview of Air India’s baggage policies for domestic and international passengers, direct flights and otherwise. For specific questions, reach out to us or consult Air India’s Baggage page.

Carry-On Baggage

Air India domestic and international passengers are permitted one carry-on item and one personal item.

Air India Carry-on Item Allowances and Weight:

  • Maximum Weight:6 lbs (8 kg) for Economy; 24.6 lbs (12 kg) for Business and First Class
  • Height: 22 inches (55.8 cm)
  • Length: 14 inches (35.5 cm)
  • Width: 10 inches (25.4 cm)

Total dimensions cannot exceed 45.27 inches (114.98 cm).

Extra baggage charges apply, starting at US$40 for flights from the US, UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia. An extra charge of US$15 applies for all other international sectors, and US$6 is charged per extra kilogram for domestic travel.

For the personal-item allowance, the following examples qualify: handbags, coats, blankets, cameras, binoculars, reading materials, collapsible wheelchairs, walking sticks, crutches, laptops, required medicines, and baby totes for passengers flying with infants.

Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowances vary by domestic and international destination. Air India’s piece and weight concept for checked luggage is:

Economy: Maximum weight per piece, 51 lbs (23 kg); maximum sum of dimensions, 107 inches (271 cm)

Business Class/First Class: Maximum weight per piece, 71 lbs (32 kg); maximum sum of dimensions, 62 inches (157 cm)

Checked baggage allowance on international flights between the US and India:

Economy: Two pieces up to 51 lbs (23 kg) each

Business/First Class: Two pieces up to 71 lbs (32 kg) each

Before you travel, international passengers should confirm the checked baggage allowances per country or region.

Restricted/Banned Items

Carry-on Baggage: Lighters, scissors, toy weapons, sharp objects, sporting goods, guns and firearms, tools, and martial-arts and self-defense items.

Checked and Carry-on Baggage: Drones, e-cigarettes, personal motorized mobility aids, explosive materials, compressed gasses, flammable items, radioactive materials, oxidizing materials, and poisonous or infectious substances.

Batteries

On domestic flights and international flights alike, batteries for electrical and electronic devices are permitted in hand luggage. Lithium-metal batteries have a maximum lithium-metal content of two grams, and lithium-ion batteries’ Watt-hour ratings cannot exceed 100 Wh. Power banks and loose batteries should not be in checked baggage and should be carried in hand baggage only.

Liquids

Liquids, gels, and aerosols exceeding 100 ml cannot be transported in carry-on or hand baggage. Medicines, inhalers with prescriptions, and baby food are permitted and should be stored in a one-liter clear and resealable plastic bag.

Air India Health Guidelines

With travel restrictions and guidelines still changing due to COVID-19, it’s crucial to always stay-up-date on Air India’s health and safety guidelines for international passengers. Please check Entriva or Air India before your flight to ensure you have all the proper health documentation.

COVID-19

According to the latest guidelines, Air India and India do not have any COVID-19 restrictions at this time. International arrivals are no longer required to undergo testing, take a rapid antigen test, or provide a negative RT-PCR report, though vaccinations are preferred.

Medical Requests

If you have a disability or any specific medical needs, such as requiring a wheelchair, check Air India’s Health and Safety page for next steps.

Be Ready Before and After Your Flight

Coming into India on an international flight? Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting an India visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to India, including local laws, health and safety, and banking, money, and currency, visit our India content hub.