Repatriation flight - London to Delhi - Vande Bharat Mission

With international borders closed and Vande Bharat flights being the only respite, I am writing my experience of Vande Bharat flight flew on from London Heathrow to Delhi which I flew in mid-June 2020. I would describe my experiences mention the differences from the usual flights so someone who has to fly in recent future could be prepared in advance. Pardon my mistakes if any, and feel free to get in touch in case you feel that I could be of any assistance.

My flight was to depart from Terminal 2 of the Heathrow airport. At the drop points of the cabs, I found many luggage trolleys. Post borrowing one trolley, I went inside the terminal. I was then told to go to the level-0 of the terminal. The terminal that one enters post leaving the cab-drop point is level-3. So, I took the elevator to level-0.

At level-0, there was a long queue by Air-India. Upon joining the queue everyone was given an undertaking form which was required to be filled and submitted at the check-in counter.

I filled it while waiting in the queue. People from the queue were then sent in batches towards the elevator, using which we had to go to level-5. Although social distancing was made till this point, but inside the lift 5-7 people with their luggage created enough congestion to side-line all social distancing.

At level-5, everyone was sent to the queue for check-in. Here the authorities see if we had luggage as per the norms (2-check-in and 1 hand, I carried 3 check-in but had paid for 1 excess bag online. If you have an excess bag, I would suggest purchasing it online). The check-in process is simple and like usual flight times. Baggage’s and check-in slip (the one’s given in the queue at level-0) were taken and boarding pass was issued.

Then I proceed to the security check. Remember, everyone is allowed a certain amount (check the amount allowed beforehand) of hand-sanitizers in the cabin luggage so feel free to carry it. In the security check shoes, belts and everything else is to be put in the tray. Nothing special here as well, like the usual checks they do for international flights.

And its mostly done now! Next when the gates are displayed, proceed to the gate. Do reach the gate well in advance because it is at the gate where health checks are done. The gate (B44 for me) took around 15 minutes to reach from the security check. After reaching the gate, join the queue for a medical check. Here the temperatures were checked and the boarding passes were stamped indicating clearance to board.

Next, we board. While boarding everyone was given a form like this –

The same form was given again before landing in the flight. One of these filled copy needs to be submitted at the immigration counter and the other one at the health desk later. In the flight, there’s minimum interaction between flight attendants and individuals. There are no entertainment systems working, so arrange for it yourselves. There is enough food, although not enough variety, which is put in poly bags on every seat. There’s a snack – haldiram mixture, cookies, a chocolate bar and a juice box. Then there were two other boxes – snack box and meal box. In both of them, we had bread butter sandwich, juice boxes, samosa (in the meal box), cup-cake. PPE’s were given as well – face shield, couple of masks and sanitizer pouches. 1.5L water bottle was given too. To remind, no headphones, pillows or blankets would be provided by them. Also, since I had heard about some confusion regarding alternative seat bookings, I would like to tell that there’s nothing like this. Every seat in the flight can be booked, there’s no alternative system.

On deboarding, passengers who had to go to Delhi were made to deboard, while the passengers who were to continue to Mumbai were asked to remain in their seats. Every passenger de-boarding were asked to wear face shields. My shield was so hazy that after wearing it I couldn’t see anything. I had to wear it despite, and so I wore it in a way that the floor and the path are slightly visible. This makes me sceptical about the quality of Air-India PPE's.

Anyways, at the airport, firstly thermal scans were done and then every passport was given a number and a group. A sticker containing a number and an alphabet (indicating the group like A, B, C etc) was stuck on the passport. Further in the airport, the lobby was divided into areas for each group. In each area, chairs were kept with their numbers on them. My group was C and number 1, so I went to the area for group C and sat on chair 1. Here a CISF personnel noted my name, phone number and where I was coming from. This group segregation also takes the destination states into account, that is, one of the group was specifically for UP destination people. Now each of this group is assigned a head CISF personnel, who then took the entire group through each and individual stage. Group C had 33 people and our head personnel then took us to the immigration desk. Hereafter my immigration, I and others had to wait until all 33 passenger’s immigrations are done. 2-2.30 hrs had already passed until now since we had landed. Once the group was clear, then we proceeded to the baggage claim. The baggage we're already kept on the floor near the baggage belts. Trolleys were available. Baggage was taken and then the group was taken and made to sit near the exit of the terminal. Here, after the group ahead of us – B, went out the terminal and cleared we were given a signal to proceed. We were then taken outside the terminal, to a building near the terminal where health camp is set up. Here we had to go through the medical screening, where we hand in the slip (duplicate of one filled and submitted at immigration) and other information were taken. No test or anything is done. Next, in this place, a list of hotels with availability and costs are listed. We can choose one and then proceed towards quarantine. Also, if there’s a medical emergency or death in the family, one can submit the required documents here.

Some other relevant points – 

If you have a connecting domestic flight, do get information beforehand regarding the travel norms. I had seen some states do allow direct connections and flying in post international flights, however, some states do require mandatory quarantine at Delhi before being proceeded to those states. For domestic travel, each state has its own rules, for example, some states like mine require an e-pass. The e-pass could be obtained by registering one-self on the official designated webpage of the health and welfare department of the state. Basically, google beforehand what your state requires and be ready before so as to have a smooth journey ahead. 

Also, at the Delhi domestic airport, when I travelled (in late June), there wasn't much of a difference apart from this e-pass thing. Do web-check in. If you don't have printer access, don't worry at all. At the airport, there are sufficient kiosks to print. Just print the boarding pass and take the check-in luggage to the check-in counter. They would do the bag-tagging as well like before. Apart from that, no major change is present for domestic travel. However, some states or airlines do require health-declaration. In nutshell, for domestic travel check with airlines if they require health declaration of any kind. Preferably do a web-check in.  Check what formalities your destination state requires.

Next point is when you call air-India (like I had to for the Vande Bharat flight and regarding some cancellations) customer care to have two things in hand – first time and second patience. They might take 30-40 minutes to pick up the phone. 

A special thanks to the police personnel at the health-checkup point. They had been extremely helpful and extremely generous. They were very kind to assist and explain the procedures. They were so generous that one of the personnel saw me tired and asked me if I wanted tea or some food. While I was waiting, he received his lunch and he was so nice to offer me his own lunch. Some of my fellow passengers who were waiting there with me for some formalities were also offered to have some food by the personnel. Its very kind and generous of them and I want to thank them immensely. All of the passengers including met these personnel for a few hours maybe, but their act of kindness would be in heart forever. Thanks to the entire team! So, if you feel troubled at that point, feel free to reach these kind and helpful people.

I hope you have a safe and happy journey!