Airlines

Foreign travel for Indians will rise in expense starting on July 1

Booking international travel packages will cost extra for Indians as of July 1, 2023. Except for remittances for education and medical expenses, the government has raised the tax collection at source (TCS) rate for international transfers made under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) from 5% to 20%.

This means that you will be required to pay 20% TCS if you book an international tour package through a travel agent. Similarly to this, there will be a 20% TCS charge if you buy foreign currency on your own from an authorized dealer for your international travel.

Within 20 minutes, airport staff in Bengaluru helps a traveller in finding his lost watch.(Opens in a new browser tab)

It’s crucial to remember that the TCS only affects payments made by banks, meaning that any costs associated with international travel paid for through bank transfers will be affected. Payouts for group tours, for example, are among them. With this plan, it will be possible to track down high-net-worth individuals who send significant sums of money abroad and make sure they pay their taxes in a timely manner.

However, there are ways to control these higher prices. The hike in TCS is anticipated to make international travel more expensive for Indians. Instead of buying a comprehensive travel package, one option is to book individual tour components, such as hotel rooms and airline tickets, separately. As a result, you won’t create a group and be subject to the TCS levy.

Why Flying is So Expensive..!?(Opens in a new browser tab)

“It is mandatory for Indian travelers to consider this additional financial obligation when planning their international trips.” The installation of a 20% TCS is anticipated to increase individuals’ immediate total travel expenditure. However, their travel expenses will not change as they can claim them when completing their tax return.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.