The tale of two airports – Here’s what taking a flight in India looks like right now

• On June 12, I took a flight from Delhi to Bhubaneswar and saw a stark difference in the way the two airports function.
• Here’s all you need to know about taking a domestic flight within India.
• Airports and flying look very different from what they were in the pre-covid era.

Flying in India is now just like your parents wanted. If you, like me, made fun of their “reach airport three hours before flights” philosophy and reached the airport right before check in closes every single time, well, think again.

As domestic flights in India are operational again, bookings have gone up as many salaried Indians, stuck in different cities because of their jobs, are now going to their hometowns as work from home continues or vice versa.

A tale of two cities and their airports

On June 12, I took a flight from Delhi to Bhubaneswar. Delhi, which has one of the largest airports in India, is currently operational only from the T3 terminal. There are multiple flights operational and there’s actually a rush at the airport. Having said that, while authorities are trying to maintain social distancing, confused passengers end up forgetting all about it.

On the other hand, the Bhubaneswar airport, a much much smaller airport compared to Delhi, is operating at one flight at a time, which has probably helped the authorities be much more efficient. One can just walk from the flight to the airport entrance and several authorities are lined up separating people to ensure distance. On arrival, temperature is checked and passengers are just stamped with the date of arrival for mandatory home quarantine for 14 days.

Here are the takeaways from the trip

First things first, yes one has to reach the airport at least 2.5-3 hours before the flight, even though there is a mandatory web check-in. It's best to wear comfortable clothes and sneakers as there will be a lot of walking, and waiting, and it’s better to avoid taking support of railings or chairs.

At the Delhi airport, expect a long queue outside every gate. Each airline has designated gates. Social distancing is totally absent even though airport authorities are trying their best. Wearing PPE kits and face shields, authorities are continuously reminding people “please maintain distance”, but mostly in vain.

Right before the airport entrance, bags are sanitized by the authorities. The airport police will then check ID cards and tickets before letting passengers enter as always, but now a glass barrier stands in between.

Upon entering the airport, temperature is recorded. Next up is the queue for baggage drop. Once again social distancing reminders are blaring on speakers, and personnel on ground try their best and guiding passengers throughout.

It’s best to carry printouts of your ticket, boarding pass and baggage tag. While there are authorities at the check-in counters, they are not going to carry your bags anymore. Passengers have to tag their bags themselves and place it on the baggage line, while an airline representative maintaining a safe distance will teach you how to do so at the check-in counter.

Security check – a long wait and impatient passengers

The security check has also become a much longer process. Passengers don’t just have to be wary of those cutting lines, but also those who are tired of waiting and shouting at security personnel for not pushing their bags forward from the scanner. Security personnel, for their own safety, have been asked to not touch the bags of consumers.

Once at the boarding gate, the airlines will distribute a kit which includes a mask, face shield, and sanitizer sachets. All passengers in the middle seat will be given PPE kits.

The boarding happens in a systematic manner, according to rows which people actually follow this time around and that takes time.

Inside the aircraft, passengers are allowed to keep their hand baggage under the seat in front and there are minimal announcements. The airhostesses just do the routine check twice – before take off and landing. Food and water is not served during the journey, but passengers are given bottles of water at the boarding gate.

Depending on the arrival state, passengers have to register on the state portal announcing their arrival and be on a mandatory home quarantine for 14 days.

However, nobody asked - Do you have the Aarogya Setu app?

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