Vistara to start Mumbai-London from January 16; BA doubles check-in baggage for economy flyers – Times of India

NEW DELHI: With England relaxing quarantine norms for overseas visitors from some countries, including India, from December 15, Vistara will starting flights thrice-weekly on Mumbai-London Heathrow (LHR) route from January 16, 2021. In all, Vistara will at that time have six weekly flight to LHR — thee each from Delhi and Mumbai.
While, British Airways has announced that it is doubling check-in baggage for economy class passengers on India-UK flights this winter, in a bid to attract more travellers.
Vistara CEO Leslie Thng said, “We are delighted at the very positive response to our service between Delhi and London Heathrow which has encouraged us to further strengthen the network by adding connectivity from Mumbai as we see considerable demand between the two countries, and remain optimistic about the future.”
The airline will use the two Boeing 787-9 it has in its fleet currently for the LHR flights. It is going to induct the third Dreamliner this fiscal. “Vistara will accept all eligible customers meeting visa/entry requirements in both the countries, as specified by the respective government bodies. Vistara strongly encourages its customers to fully understand these guidelines before making their bookings,” the airline said in a statement.
Meanwhile, British Airways has said: “All passengers travelling in world traveller (economy cabin) will be gifted an extra piece of checked baggage weighing 23 kg for all bookings made on all flights during the winter season from cities British Airways operates from” India and Pakistan. This doubles the current allowance from one to two pieces of hold luggage as well as still offering two additional pieces of hand luggage. The new combined allowance is 46 kg (two bags weighing up to 23 kg each).
Moran Birger, BA’s head of sales (Asia Pacific and the Middle East) said: “2020 has been a difficult year for our customers and during the winter period we want to help relieve the strain, so we are pleased to be able to make a small gesture to allow our customers to carry more, particularly at a time when we know people are visiting their families.”