<p>DS has received noticed that he has a fellowship to Bangalore. From the Northwest States, which way to go: East or West?</p>
<p>Of course he’s old enough to make his arrangements.</p>
<p>go via singapore</p>
<p>In general: Try to go all the way on one airline, with as few stopovers as possible. You can get to Bangalore from Seattle with just two stopovers. San Francisco to Bangalore, can be done with just one stop.</p>
<p>If leaving out of SeaTac, going through Singapore isn’t as practical as heading East through Europe. </p>
<p>If there is going to be sightseeing on the return trip- obviously pick the route that has an easy stopover in a country your son wants to visit.</p>
<p>If using frequent flier miles is something your family does, pick an airline that is partners with the domestic airline you use the most.</p>
<p>I think you will find the most options and best pricing going via Paris/London etc. Especially if you are flying out from Seattle or somewhere up there.</p>
<p>My daughter did Bangalore to Dubai to NYC on Emirates Air. Very nice airline, by all accounts.</p>
<p>Ooohh, yes, from what I hear, one of the very best to fly on.</p>
<p>I would search around for tickets on engines like cheaptickets or travelocity and compare flight costs with travel time and number of layovers. It’s more complicated than just “go West vs. go East”.</p>
<p>Bangalore? Who is beeing outsourced? Expedia sometimes does a better job with obscure destinations.</p>
<p>Californians head west to India (eg Bombay/Mumbai), and Singapore airlines has an excellent reputation.</p>
<p>Yes, Singapore Airlines is fabulous. My favorite airline to fly from Asia to California. And the Singapore airport is lovely.</p>
<p>But, if you are going from Seattle to Bangalore, it will take four flights on SingAir. Only two flights on BA, three flights on United, Lufthansa, and others. </p>
<p>Be aware that when looking at all the different options, flights with good connections don’t fly everyday. It is more complicated than you would think.</p>
<p>From the SF bay area, people in the know seem to take Luftansa to Frankfurt, and then on to India. Then they come back from the west, in a trip that ends up circling the globe. (And my husband picked up Singapore Air on the way home.) That’s the way the winds blow, so the flights are shorter than fighting the winds. (Note, these are people looking for the shortest air time, if you are looking for cheapest, or most luxurious airline, there are many other options.) Bangalore is a very, very popular destination, so it might be hard to get cheap tickets as there are always more people that want to go than there are seats.</p>
<p>Malaysian Air is nice, and much less expensive than Singapore Air.</p>
<p>No one is being outsourced. Advising prof is on sabbatical and asked son to accompany him, son finished MSc-CS early, there is some $ that prof has that is apparently discretionary, sponsoring Big NW company is picking up airfare, R&B. DS will be at their Bangalore center.</p>
<p>Hi ThisOldman,</p>
<p>I take Lufthansa from NJ with a stop at Frankfurt when I visit my folks in B’lore. Lufthansa goes directly to B’lore now which saves me the hassle of getting down at Bombay and trasferring from the International airport to the local airport. </p>
<p>I like to take about 4- 5 hours gap between my connections at Frankfurt since it gives you a chance to stretch your legs, get some breakfast, freshen up etc before another long flight out to B’lore. Try not to take a shorter gap just in case your flight out to Frankfurt gets delayed leaving from US. </p>
<p>By the way, if you need any pointers regarding B’lore, PM me with specific questions. I will be happy to give you suggestions.</p>
<p>B’lore is so much nicer, cleaner than Bombay and without the heat and humidity of B’bay, your S will like it very much.</p>
<p>I meant to add…sorry I don’t know the best/quickest way from NW though since I generally fly out of Newark.</p>
<p>One last thing- Have your S avoid Bombay (now called Mumbai) at all costs.</p>
<p>thisoldman, friends recommended going with a travel agent rather with an on-line ticket purchase. They use East-West Tours in Seattle, which specializes in tickets to Russia, Eastern Europe and India, and usually this agency’s prices beat Expedia etc.</p>
<p><a href=“Travel to Eastern Europe, European Tours and Holidays, Silk Road Rail Tours. Explore with East West Tours!”>Travel to Eastern Europe, European Tours and Holidays, Silk Road Rail Tours. Explore with East West Tours!;
<p>Looks like Korean Air might have some deals to India. My D flew to China on this airline, and had anly good things to say about their service.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I do not work for this agency and have no vested interest in them :)</p>
<p>Thx for the suggestions. I am taking it down. More please. </p>
<p>Pricing from PDX to India is approximately the same whether DS goes East, West, or over-the-pole. Cost is not too great of an issue, other than being reasonable and typical, since this an all expense paid fellowship. likewise cost from PDX to SEA or LAX or SFO is very minor. </p>
<p>From other people’s experience, what did you/they prefer: KAL, Luth, Air France, BAC, Singapore.? </p>
<p>(I happened to see my niece’s wedding in NYC 5 years ago, and the wedding dinner was at a hotel that the flight crew of Singapore stayed. I can say that the stewardesses were absolutely STUNNING)</p>