Air India Flying Returns Members Can Now Earn Reward Points on Cruises Worldwide

Air India Flying Returns Members Can Now Earn Reward Points on Cruises Worldwide

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 19, 2024

Air India, India's leading global airline, has joined hands with Arrivia, the world’s largest stand-alone travel loyalty provider, to enhance its Flying Returns loyalty program. Through this exciting partnership, Flying Returns members can now earn Reward Points on cruises with over 40 major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, Norwegian Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruises, and many more, covering over 30,000 itineraries across the globe.

Flying Returns members will now earn 5 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on cruise fares when booked through the dedicated portal flyingreturnsicruise.com. This expansion means that members can accumulate points not just on Air India flights but also on a diverse range of luxurious and exotic cruise experiences. Whether it's an opulent Caribbean escape, a thrilling Alaskan excursion, or a tranquil river cruise, the opportunities to earn and redeem points are now broader than ever.

Sunil Suresh, Head of Marketing, Loyalty & E-Commerce at Air India, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are committed to making Flying Returns a truly world-class loyalty program, and this exciting new partnership with Arrivia is one of the many ways in which we are reimagining Flying Returns. It’s about enriching travel experiences, whether our valued members enjoy those on Air India or anywhere else around the world."

John Williams, Managing Director of Arrivia International, added, "Cruising is more than just a transaction. Flying Returns members have thousands of sailings to choose from, serviced by our expert team of knowledgeable and experienced cruise specialists via our global call centers. Our cruise specialists provide a seamless booking process with personalized assistance and expert advice to ensure that every aspect of the journey exceeds expectations."

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Arrivia's iCruise program, which powers this new offering, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Known for its strong industry relationships, unbeatable rates, and commitment to value, iCruise is now set to help Flying Returns members set sail on their dream vacations. With over 30,000 worldwide itineraries spanning oceans, rivers, and expeditions, this partnership ensures members receive top-notch cruise experiences while earning valuable rewards.

The global cruise industry has shown remarkable resilience and growth, with the CLIA State of the Industry Report indicating a passenger volume of 31.7 million in 2023—a nearly 7% increase from 2019. With projections for 2024 suggesting even greater growth, Air India's Flying Returns program is poised to thrive in this robust market.

The cruise industry’s rapid growth in India further solidifies the importance of this partnership, making every voyage unforgettable and rewarding for Flying Returns members.

About Air India Flying Returns:

Launched in 1994, Air India's Flying Returns program is India’s oldest frequent flyer program. In April 2024, the program underwent a monumental transformation, moving away from the legacy miles-based model to a more equitable, spend-based approach. The revamped Flying Returns offers simplified structures, more customer-friendly features, renamed tiers, and an updated identity. Notable features include Evergreen Points, which never expire, no blackout dates on redemption, and a premium member service center for Platinum, Gold, and Silver members.

About Arrivia:

For more than 25 years, Arrivia has powered travel loyalty and rewards programs for some of the world’s most respected cruise, hotel, resort, and financial brands, including American Express®, USAA®, and Marriott Vacation Club®. Arrivia offers customers exclusive pricing and personalized travel options that inspire loyalty and drive growth. To learn more, visit arrivia.com.

Flying Returns powered by iCruise: flyingreturnsicruise.com
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FLY91 Adds Extra Pune-Goa Daily Flight to Meet Summer Travel Demand

FLY91 Adds Extra Pune-Goa Daily Flight to Meet Summer Travel Demand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 19, 2026

FLY91 has announced an additional weekday daily flight between Pune and Goa for May 2026 to meet increased passenger demand during the summer holiday season. The temporary addition comes as travel activity continues to rise due to vacations, family trips and seasonal travel movement.

The airline already operates daily weekday services on the Pune-Goa route, while weekend operations currently run twice daily. The newly introduced weekday frequency is expected to provide travellers with more options and greater convenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

According to the airline, the decision was taken in response to increased movement from holidaymakers, students, families and business travellers. The Pune-Goa route has witnessed steady demand throughout the summer season, making it an important sector within the airline’s growing network.

By adding another service, FLY91 aims to improve schedule flexibility while increasing seat availability between the two destinations. The move is also expected to ease travel during the peak vacation period and support smoother passenger movement.

Pune continues to remain one of western India’s key educational and commercial centres, while Goa attracts a significant number of domestic travellers during the summer months. The additional service is expected to further strengthen connectivity between the two cities and support increasing regional travel demand.

FLY91 said the new flight also aligns with its broader objective of strengthening dependable and safe regional connectivity across underserved and high-demand sectors in India.

The airline currently operates flights across 12 destinations including Goa (GOX), Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Kochi, Agatti, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Hubballi.


IRCTC Launches Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra from Indore for Pashupatinath Pilgrimage

IRCTC Launches Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra from Indore for Pashupatinath Pilgrimage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 17, 2026

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a special religious journey to Nepal under its Bharat Gaurav scheme, giving travellers and pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions an opportunity to explore important spiritual and tourist destinations in the neighbouring country.

The special 'Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra' will begin from Indore on June 12 aboard a Deluxe AC tourist train. According to IRCTC, this is the first Bharat Gaurav tourist train service designed for passengers travelling beyond India’s borders, making it a significant addition to its tourism offerings.

The journey will run for nine nights and 10 days, covering some of Nepal’s well-known religious and tourist attractions. The itinerary includes visits to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Manakamana Temple. As part of the experience, travellers will also get access to a ropeway ride at Manakamana Temple and a Jeep Safari at Chitwan, arranged by IRCTC.

Passengers can board the train from multiple stations across Madhya Pradesh including Indore, Ujjain, Shujalpur, Sehore, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal), Itarsi, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, and Satna.

Rahul Holkar, Executive Tourism (Indore), said: "Dining facilities will be available for passengers onboard, with two restaurant coaches arranged for this purpose."

He also shared that the train will have 14 coaches and offer three accommodation categories: First AC, Second AC, and Third AC. The package further includes five-night accommodation in three-star hotels, along with local sightseeing through AC buses.

IRCTC has introduced different fare structures based on the selected category. The package covers rail travel, hotel stays, meals onboard and during the journey, local transportation, sightseeing, travel insurance, tour escorts, security arrangements and housekeeping services.

Officials also clarified that the Nepal Darshan Yatra is a guided tourist journey and should be viewed as a specially curated travel experience rather than a regular international tour package. Bookings for the Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra can be made through IRCTC’s official website and authorised offices.


Air India Begins Twice Daily Flights to Ludhiana Halwara Airport

Air India Begins Twice Daily Flights to Ludhiana Halwara Airport

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 16, 2026

Air India has commenced commercial operations to Ludhiana’s newly operational Halwara airport, becoming the first airline to launch services at the airport. The new route strengthens connectivity between Ludhiana and Delhi while also opening access to Air India’s wider international network.

The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs, while the return service departed from Ludhiana at 0800 Hrs. Air India will now operate two daily flights on the Delhi–Ludhiana route using its A320 family aircraft.

The newly launched services have been scheduled to provide passengers with smoother onward connections through Delhi to Air India’s international destinations. Travellers flying from Ludhiana can conveniently connect to cities including London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham through a single ticket and a unified baggage allowance system with through check-in facilities.

Passengers will also benefit from same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport, allowing easier movement between domestic and international flights.

The flight schedule for the Delhi–Ludhiana route includes:

  • AI481: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 05:55 | Arrival: 07:05 | Daily
  • AI482: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 07:55 | Arrival: 09:10 | Daily
  • AI483: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 12:55 | Arrival: 14:10 | Daily
  • AI484: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 14:40 | Arrival: 15:55 | Daily

With the launch of operations at Halwara airport, Air India continues to expand its domestic network while strengthening connectivity between regional cities and international destinations.

Bookings for Air India’s Ludhiana flights are now open across all channels, including the airline’s website, mobile app, and travel partners worldwide.

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