Airline Policies

Arrival Card and Customs Declaration for India: What to Fill (2026)

Foreign nationals arriving in India are generally asked to fill an arrival card, and any passenger carrying dutiable or restricted goods must file a customs declaration and use the red channel. Passengers within the duty-free allowance, currently ₹75,000 for eligible travellers, may use the green channel. Gold beyond the personal jewellery limit and large amounts

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Paid Seat Refunds: When You Can Get Your Seat Money Back (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

A paid seat fee should normally come back when the airline, not you, breaks the arrangement: the flight is cancelled, the aircraft type changes and your seat no longer exists, you are moved involuntarily, or you are downgraded. Voluntary changes and no-shows usually are not refunded. Policies are airline-specific, so claim in writing with your

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Consumer Court for Flight Disputes in India: Is It Worth It? (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

A consumer commission can hear a flight dispute when the airline’s service was deficient, for example a refund that never arrived or baggage that was lost. Cases start at the district level and move up by claim value under the Consumer Protection Act 2019. You can file online through e-Daakhil, usually without a lawyer. Updated

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AirSewa: How the Government Grievance Portal Works (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

AirSewa is the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s grievance platform, available as a website and a mobile app. You register a complaint against an airline or airport, it is routed to that operator for a response, and the record is visible to the ministry and DGCA. AirSewa is not a court: it cannot order compensation or

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How to Complain to an Airline in India and Actually Get a Reply (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

Complain in writing to the airline first, quoting your PNR, flight number, date and what went wrong, and attach your receipts. If the reply is slow or unsatisfactory, escalate to the airline’s nodal officer and then to its appellate authority. DGCA requires scheduled airlines to publish both contacts. AirSewa and a consumer commission come after

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How to Read an E-Ticket: PNR, Ticket Number and Coupon Status (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

An e-ticket carries three identifiers that do different jobs. The PNR, or booking reference, is the short alphanumeric code that opens your booking. The 13-digit ticket number is the financial document behind it, issued by the airline. Coupon status shows what has happened to each flight segment: OPEN FOR USE, CHECKED IN, USED, EXCHANGED, REFUNDED

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Sports and Mobility Equipment: Free Allowances You May Not Know (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

Mobility aids are the free allowance most travellers never hear about. Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes and prosthetic supports are generally carried at no charge and do not count against your checked baggage limit, in line with DGCA requirements on the carriage of persons with disability. Sports equipment is different: it is usually chargeable unless your

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Buying Extra Baggage Online vs at the Airport (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

Buying extra baggage online in advance is almost always cheaper than paying at the airport counter, because airlines price prepaid allowance at a discount and set a higher walk-up rate. Prepaid excess is usually sold per passenger per sector, in fixed blocks of weight, and the online window normally closes a few hours before departure.

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How Airlines Weigh Cabin Bags and When They Actually Check (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

Indian airlines can weigh a cabin bag at three points: the check-in counter or bag drop, the airline desk before security, and the boarding gate. Enforcement tightens on full flights and small regional aircraft. Most economy fares here allow about 7 kg plus stated dimensions, though the exact limit depends on your airline and your

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Overweight Baggage at the Counter: Your Options in the Moment (2026)

Airline Policies / Team HappyFares

If your bag is over the limit at the counter, you usually have five moves: shift weight into another bag or a fellow traveller’s allowance, wear or carry heavy items, buy prepaid excess online if the airline’s window is still open, courier the extra separately, or pay the counter rate, which is typically higher than

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