Flight Buzz
Air India Now Offers Affordable Flights, But Safety Concerns Make Travelers Hesitant in UAE: What You Need To Know Before You Plan
Thursday, July 31, 2025
While summer air travel to or from the UAE and India continues to surge, with travellers opting for Air India Express and Air India for low-cost flight tickets. Travelers are lining up for cost savings with tickets that are as much as half the price of other carriers. But a string of safety concerns and service disruptions has called into question whether to book with the airline.
Price Disparity Between Air India and Other Carriers has Led to a Spurt in its Popularity
With airfares on the rise in between the UAE and India, Air India low fares have become the talk of the town. Flights between Dubai and Mumbai, for example, can be booked for Dh291 at least, rather than Dh580 on other airlines. Also, fares from Dubai to Chennai have dropped to Dh734 on Air India, a far cry from the Dh1,290 charged by other airlines.
For those looking for non-stop flights to India, Air India Express provides even cheaper air fares, with a Dubai to Thiruvananthapuram flight at Dh403, compared to Dh1,040 with other carries.
Effect of Ahmedabad tragedy on confidence of travelers
However, some UAE residents are hesitant to fly Air India due to its low fares. The unfortunate crash of Air India flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, has shaken the faith of travellers. The flight, which was headed to London Gatwick Airport, crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 passengers aboard, and at least 19 others on the ground.
Since the crash, which killed 157 people, many travelers have been reluctant to book with the airline, choosing instead to fly more established carriers. This narrow escape from disaster continues to haunt the traveller, and cheap fares cannot rebuild Air India’s lost trust, despite being offered for the taking.
Delays, Discomfort and Safety and Operational Concerns Keep Travelers from the Skies
Besides the Ahmedabad tragedy, passengers have taken to social media to complain about frequent delays and technical glitches on Air India and Air India Express. Reports of broken air-conditioning units and passengers sweating through their flight attire on video might suggest otherwise. In one case, a UAE-India flight was delayed by more than six hours, while the aircraft had landed much before the scheduled time.
These upheavals have made a lot of travelers consider other options. Social media posts on the issues have further piqued apprehensions toward Air India though the carrier still operates several flights on busy routes every day.
Air India’s Reply to Operational Hindrances
Acknowledging the issues and expressing concern over the operational deficiency, an Air India Express spokesperson assured that the problems were being taken very seriously and were being dealt with proactively. The airline says it has made reliability and customer service a focus.
Despite Wizz Air’s efforts, many passengers like Subair Thekepurathvalappil, Senior Manager at Wisefox Tourism, informed that Ahmedabad crash incident was still in the memory of the passengers, which is why they were reluctant to fly the airline.
Airline Alternatives: UAE’s Flag Carriers
The Air India disruptions have also pushed some travelers toward other carriers, which charge slightly more but offer better reliability and comfort. Emirates and Etihad are much pricier options, but would be a safe haven for those that want that extra peace of mind. Emirates, Etihad and flydubai provide a superior service and a greater level of operational reliability.
The flights between the UAE and India by Emirates offers a higher standard in travel experience, less delays, better service beefs on-flight etc. and not to mention so here things. And you pay a premium for that, the comfort and liability.
Air India’s 75th Anniversary – Where Does the UAE Stand?
Despite its troubles, Air India also has reached new heights — as the first choice for many fliers because of its affordable fares and new destinations. The airline continues to upgrade its fleet in a bid to upgrade passenger offering. But the Ahmedabad crash and the follow-up operational problems has been a blow to the airline’s image, resulting in a changed preference for some passengers.
Experts in the industry have forecast that Air India’s share of the market in the UAE could take a small hit in the near future because of these problems. Nonetheless, with continuing improvements in its service and its growing fleet, the airline will hopefully win back some of the market’s faith in the longer term.
Passenger Point of View: Why Some Continue to Fly Air India
Despite all this, passengers choose to travel in Air India and AI Express, on account of its cheaper fares and regular connectivity. For residents, cheap fares matter more than the perceived safety risks. They argue that, though there are some frustrations (from inconvenience through mental and physical pain), the cost savings are similarly frustrating but may be worth considering. Ali explained that he opted to fly with another airline after learning about a friend’s delayed flight, but he still finds Air India’s offerings attractive.
Bottom Line: Can Air India Recover Its Costumers’ Trust?
With many UAE residents yet to make a decision, the low-cost fares offered by Air India are likely to continue attracting travellers looking for a good deal. But it is now airline’s onus to regain flight reliability and regain passenger trust in the wake of the Ahmedabad crash. Air India’s handling of these challenges will be closely watched by travelers over the next few months.
A few months ago, my procrastination caught up to me as I tried booking a last-minute flight home from Paris back to the US.
I’m typically a loyal Delta flyer, but I experienced sticker shock when I saw the prices of its last-minute economy flights back home.
So, although I don’t usually fly with budget airlines, I found myself researching flights on Norse Atlantic Airways.
The Norwegian airline is known for having affordable transatlantic flights, and its nonstop options to get me back to the US were hundreds of dollars cheaper than what I’d seen elsewhere.
So, I paid $670 for an eight-hour flight in premium from Paris to New York City. (From there, I’d take a cheap flight home to Texas.)
Although I was skeptical about the low prices — my premium Norse seat was still way cheaper than a similar flight in Delta’s economy section — I ended up being pleasantly surprised.
My ticket came with priority check-in, which I loved
Katherine Stinson
I chose to upgrade to a premium ticket because economy didn’t include amenities I wanted and would otherwise have to pay out of pocket for, like meals and a checked bag.
Fortunately, my premium ticket even came with priority check-in, which I was very grateful to have.
When I arrived at my gate at Charles de Gaulle, the check-in line for my flight looked incredibly long. Instead of waiting with the masses, I used my status to quickly board the shuttle bus to the plane.
I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious my seat felt
Katherine Stinson
Norse doesn’t have first-class cabins — its Boeing 787 Dreamliners are divided into premium and economy.
Walking to my seat didn’t take long, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw how spacious my premium-cabin seat looked.
The seat pitch is 43 inches and the width is 19.5 inches, much larger compared to the 31-inch seat pitch and 17-inch width in economy class.
My seat was so comfortable that I had no issues relaxing. I also had tons of extra legroom, though not having enough is rarely an issue for me at 5’1″.
Katherine Stinson
Still, it was nice having so much space that my feet didn’t even accidentally kick my bag, which was tucked under the seat in front of me.
In premium, the in-flight entertainment screen could be pulled out from the armrest. On it, Norse offered an assortment of movies, TV shows, and music. I opted to watch “Gilmore Girls.”
The screen was easy to maneuver, and I liked that I could tuck it away when I wasn’t using it.
The flight had fairly standard amenities — but I couldn’t reach some of the seat controls
The flight attendants came by and handed everyone in my cabin a complimentary set of headphones, earplugs, an eye mask, and a soft Norse blanket.
I didn’t have to pay for my sodas, water, wine, or two in-flight meals since they were included in my premium upgrade.
At one point, flight attendants even came by the premium section and offered to top off my wine, free of charge. It was such a nice touch.
Katherine Stinson
Although the spacious premium seats provided plenty of room for me to curl up and nap, I couldn’t reach the buttons to control the fans or reading lights.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t have been able to reach the call button from my seat, either.
I also had to ask for help retrieving my carry-on when the plane arrived in New York.
On other airlines, I’ve been able to stand on my tip-toes to grab my luggage, but I would have needed a stepladder to grab my things from Norse’s bulkheads.
None of that was a major issue, but it’s something worth keeping in mind if you’re a similar height.
I’d fly internationally with Norse again — and I’d stick with my upgrade
All in all, the low-cost airline impressed me. I was especially grateful I’d splurged for a premium ticket, even though economy ones were hundreds of dollars cheaper.
The extra space alone (not to mention the checked bag, food, drinks, and priority check-in) made the upgrade well worth it.
Prices may vary (especially for last-minute bookings), but I’m still impressed that my upgraded Norse Atlantic ticket cost me less than what I’d have paid to fly Delta in economy.
Plus, my overall experience was more pleasant than I expected.
My seat felt pretty top-notch for a low-cost carrier, and I commend the entire staff for being so friendly, helpful, and welcoming throughout the flight.
However, I won’t be committing my loyalty to Norse Airlines anytime soon. It has a limited selection of routes, no direct flights to my home airport in Texas, and no frequent-flyer rewards program.
So, for now, I think I’ll stick with Delta and rack up miles for future rewards — but if I end up needing another short-notice international flight, I’d definitely fly premium with Norse Airlines.
Flight Buzz
Air France, British, Austrian, KLM, ITA, Lufthansa, and other Airlines Experience Major Travel Disruptions as Over 60 Flights Are Grounded Across Airports in Russia, UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, and More
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Air travel in Europe has been severely disrupted due to adverse weather conditions, impacting Air France, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, KLM, ITA Airways, Lufthansa and many others. Over 60 flights have been canceled and dozens of other flights have been delayed. Russian, British, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian airports, and many more, have been impacted by storms, heavy rainfall, and low visibility. These conditions have resulted in many people being stuck for long periods of time. These airlines continue to operate in Europe and the constant flow of aircraft is hampered by the current weather issues.
Bad weather continues to wreak havoc on air travel in Europe, with numerous airlines experiencing major flight disruptions. Over 60 flights have been grounded today at various airports across Russia, the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, and Italy. These cancellations and delays have affected several major airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, KLM, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, and many others. Passengers are facing significant disruptions as they navigate through storms and adverse weather conditions.
Today, over 60 flights were grounded across major European airports, with disruptions affecting airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, KLM, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa. At Pulkovo, 18 cancellations (8%) and 2 delays (0%) impacted Rossiya Airlines, while Sheremetyevo saw 14 cancellations (6%) and 76 delays (11%), mostly affecting Aeroflot. Vnukovo reported 10 cancellations (23%) and 13 delays (0%), with Rossiya Airlines and UTair most impacted. Heathrow had 5 cancellations (0%) and 59 delays (5%), while Schiphol experienced 6 cancellations (0%) and 183 delays (15%), with KLM and easyJet hit hardest. Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado had 2 cancellations (33%) and 49 delays (10%), primarily affecting TAP Air Portugal. Other airports, including Barcelona, Nice, Dublin, Brussels, and Venice, also reported significant delays and cancellations due to severe weather across Russia, the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, Belgium, and Italy. The disruptions highlight the ongoing challenges of weather-related flight operations in Europe.
Major Airlines Affected by Weather Chaos
Among the airlines impacted by today’s disruptions, Air France, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, KLM, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa are some of the most notable names. These carriers are among the largest in Europe and operate numerous international routes. However, severe weather has forced them to ground flights, delay departures, and cause significant inconvenience for travelers.
The total number of grounded flights has been substantial, with airports such as Pulkovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, and others reporting major cancellations. In fact, as of today, more than 60 flights have been affected across various European airports. While the primary reason for these disruptions has been bad weather, the severity of the situation has made it clear how vulnerable the aviation industry is to such conditions.
Affected Airports
Pulkovo Airport (Russia)
At Pulkovo, 18 flights were canceled, and two additional flights were delayed. Among the most impacted carriers were Rossiya Airlines, which saw a significant percentage of its flights grounded (18 cancellations), and Aeroflot, which also faced disruptions. Other airlines such as Pegas Fly, Yamal Airlines, and My Freighter were also affected, although their cancellations and delays were lower in number.
Sheremetyevo International Airport (Russia)
Sheremetyevo, one of the busiest airports in Russia, reported 14 cancellations and 76 delays today. Aeroflot, the national carrier, was among the hardest hit, with 58 delayed flights. Other airlines such as Rossiya Airlines and Yamal Airlines also experienced delays, with several international carriers, including Beijing Capital Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines, suffering cancellations and delays due to bad weather conditions.
Vnukovo Airport (Russia)
Vnukovo airport saw a relatively smaller impact with 10 cancellations and 13 delays. Rossiya Airlines again topped the list of affected airlines with 10 cancellations, while UTair, Azimuth, and FlyDubai were also impacted. While the disruptions were fewer compared to other airports, passengers traveling through this hub still faced delays and cancellations throughout the day.
London Heathrow Airport (UK)
Heathrow, one of the busiest international airports in the world, reported 59 delays and 5 cancellations. British Airways faced the brunt of these disruptions, with 37 delayed flights. Other airlines, including KLM, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, also reported cancellations and delays. International carriers like Air Baltic, Cathay Pacific, and Kenya Airways were similarly affected. Weather-related disruptions at Heathrow have led to long queues and frustrated passengers, as several flights were either canceled or delayed for several hours.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (Netherlands)
Amsterdam Schiphol, a major European hub, reported 183 delays and 6 cancellations today. KLM, the national carrier of the Netherlands, was the most affected airline, with over 100 delayed flights. Other airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Air France, Lufthansa, and easyJet, saw a significant number of flights delayed or canceled. Passengers at Schiphol faced a chaotic situation with long wait times and delays, as adverse weather conditions caused havoc on the runway schedules.
General Humberto Delgado Airport (Portugal)
Portugal’s busiest airport, General Humberto Delgado in Lisbon, reported 49 delays and 2 cancellations. TAP Air Portugal was the most impacted airline, with several delays across its routes. Other affected airlines included Air Canada, KLM, and Ryanair, as well as several smaller regional carriers. Portugal’s weather situation resulted in disruptions at this hub as well, affecting both domestic and international flights.
Barcelona International Airport (Spain)
In Spain, Barcelona International saw 83 delays and just 1 cancellation. EasyJet was the worst-hit airline, with several flights delayed. KLM, Ryanair, and Lufthansa also saw disruptions to their schedules. The flight cancellations were minimal, but delays were widespread, affecting travelers looking to make their way to and from Spain’s most popular airport.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (France)
Nice Côte d’Azur, located in the south of France, reported 62 delays and 1 cancellation. The weather in the region caused major delays, particularly with airlines like easyJet and Air France. Other affected airlines included KLM, British Airways, and Lufthansa. While the number of cancellations was low, the airport saw numerous delayed flights, leading to crowded terminals and frustrated travelers.
Dublin International Airport (Ireland)
Dublin International reported 33 delays and 1 cancellation today. Ryanair, a low-cost carrier, was the most impacted, with 10 delays. Other airlines such as Aer Lingus, United, and Eurowings faced some disruptions as well, with a few flights either delayed or canceled due to the inclement weather.
Brussels Airport (Belgium)
Brussels saw 40 delays and 2 cancellations, with Brussels Airlines being the most affected carrier. Other airlines such as Air Canada, Aegean Airlines, and Vueling also experienced disruptions. Though the number of cancellations was low, delays were widespread across various international and regional flights.
Marco Polo International Airport (Italy)
At Marco Polo International in Venice, 26 delays and 1 cancellation were reported. EasyJet and KLM were among the airlines facing significant delays. Other airlines such as Ryanair and Lufthansa also had flights affected. The adverse weather in the region forced several flights to be delayed or canceled, leaving passengers stranded or unable to meet their schedules.
Bad Weather Continues to Disrupt Air Travel
The primary reason for these widespread cancellations and delays is the ongoing adverse weather conditions across Europe. Severe storms, heavy rainfall, and low visibility have made it impossible for several airlines to operate their flights on time. The storms have not only affected airports in major cities but also smaller regional hubs, making it a continent-wide issue.
Airlines are struggling to accommodate affected passengers, as delays and cancellations continue to stack up. While some airlines have been able to rebook passengers on later flights, others are unable to offer alternative solutions due to the scale of the disruptions. With bad weather expected to persist for the next few days, the situation could worsen before it improves.
Passenger Impact and Airport Response
Passengers at affected airports have reported long wait times, crowded terminals, and frustration as they attempt to rebook flights or find alternative transportation options. Airlines are offering compensation, including meal vouchers and hotel accommodations, for passengers stranded overnight. However, many travelers are still left scrambling for answers as the bad weather continues to wreak havoc.
Airport authorities across Europe have been working tirelessly to manage the situation, but the scale of the disruptions has proven difficult to handle. While efforts are being made to clear backlogs, it is clear that the ripple effect of these cancellations will continue for days to come. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updates on their flights and to expect further delays.
The Way Forward
As the weather conditions improve, it is hoped that airlines and airports will be able to return to normal operations. However, it will take time to clear the backlog of delayed and canceled flights. Airlines are working hard to get their schedules back on track, but passengers should expect ongoing disruptions until the storm passes.
In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to remain patient and stay informed about their flight status. While airlines and airports continue to battle adverse weather, it is essential to keep communication open and be prepared for potential changes in travel plans.
The severe weather situations in Europe have prompted more than 60 flight cancellations from major carriers like Air France, British, KLM and even Lufthansa. Airports in Russia, UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland and Italy are still recovering from storms, excessive rain, and low visibility which has made air travel quite difficult.
The unexpected weather changes even today have shown how fragile the aviation industry is and how quickly they can be impacted due to unforeseen weather changes. Air France, British, Austrian, KLM, ITA, and even Lufthansa to name a few airlines are gravely impacted, with more than 60 flights being canceled from major air travel hubs in Russia, UK, Spain, France, and Italy. Weather disruptions like this remind us how important weather predictions are, as they allow airlines and airports to manage operations more smoothly, utilizing proper adaptability.
A record number of passengers flew in 2024.
Izusek | E+ | Getty Images
Southwest Airlines, once known for its first-come, first-served approach to boarding and seating, on Tuesday began selling its first tickets with assigned seats. That change — and with it, new boarding groups — goes into effect for flights in late January.
The move brings Southwest more in line with other major carriers, where travelers need to weigh the value of paying for an early-boarding upgrade.
“The number one reason to buy the early boarding upgrade is if you have a carry-on for the overhead bin,” said Sara Wilcox, an advisor at Fora Travel, a travel agency in New York City.
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Priority boarding is “basically the race to get our carry-on suitcases in the overhead bins,” said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group, a travel industry market research and advisory firm.
Understanding the boarding process
By law, individuals with disabilities who require special assistance must have the opportunity to board a flight first. Depending on an airline’s policy, other groups like active military members and families with young children may also be offered early boarding.
Beyond that, while the boarding process varies by airline, your spot among boarding groups will generally depend on your status with the airline and the kind of airfare you booked, experts say.
Individuals with elite airline status are typically among the first boarding groups, Harteveldt said. If you don’t have status and you bought a discounted or restricted coach fare, expect to be among the last to board.
If you fit an airline’s early boarding criteria, you might not need to pay for the perk.
Look for early-boarding add-on options
Travelers can sometimes buy early boarding as an add-on, either when you buy the flight or as your travel date approaches. Sometimes it’s bundled with other extras, too.
The cost of the add-on depends on the airline, and in some cases, how long the flight is, according to Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet.
For instance, the priority boarding add-on through United Airlines costs a flat rate of $24 per person.
“If overhead space is important to you, you do need to pay for priority boarding,” said French.
How co-branded travel credit cards can help
There are different ways to move up the boarding group ladder. Applying for and using an airline’s travel credit card can help you move closer to elite status, Harteveldt said.
Such cards typically include other perks like free or heavily discounted checked baggage fees. Before you apply, make sure to read and understand the card’s terms and conditions, as some charge high annual fees.
Remember that simply having the card is generally not enough to get the early-boarding benefits. You get the perk when you use the card to book that ticket.
‘You’re also bumped up’ through a premium airfare
Another way to board earlier is by booking a premium economy or main economy airfare, said French.
Doing so typically allows you to book a specific seat, and “you’re also bumped up in an early boarding position,” she said.
Premium economy “is a step up from economy,” but is not as costly as first or business class, according to Skyscanner, a travel site. In addition to more legroom, wider seats and more recline, these seats offer priority services for check-in and boarding.
But this is an expensive way to get on the plane sooner. Price-wise, a premium economy fare will likely be over 50% less expensive than a business class fare, but is at least 30% more expensive than standard economy, per Skyscanner.
If you have enough points or miles with an airline, you might be able to upgrade from economy to premium economy, per Skyscanner.
While “its not the worst use ever,” remember that you might not get more than one cent per mile, said Stella Shon, a senior features editor at UpgradedPoints, a travel site.
“Cash upgrades are where you get the most value,” she said. If not, assess where your points and miles will be the most valuable to you.
While paying to pick a seat can help you get a better boarding group, especially if you’re willing to pay for an extra legroom seat, you can forgo it. NerdWallet’s French said that passengers should not feel obligated to pay the added cost for early boarding.
If you simply paid for a flight — with or without seat reservations — the airline will assign a seat for you.
You’re just more likely to be placed in a middle seat towards the back of the plane, as well as being among the last passengers to board, she said.
“Just hope by the time you board there’s space in the overhead bin,” said Harteveldt.
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