Jammu to Port Blair Air India Flights

  About Jammu

Jammu's second name is 'City of Temples' as it is a city which boasts pristine pilgrimage. Nestling on the banks of the Tawi river, the gorgeous city of Jammu sees an astounding number of travellers thanks to the slew of temples and Hindu shrines that are present in and around the city. Surrounded by the Shivalik range, Jammu witnesses beautiful climate and is one of the fewer places in India that is open almost throughout the year.

Tourism has a significant contribution to the city's economy. The focal point for many tourists and pilgrims remains the Vaishno Devi Temple as well as the Kashmir Valley. The state also sees international tourists come over to relish the serenity of Jammu. You can book hotels in Jammu which faces the calm Tawi lake and the Shivalik range.

The city is well-connected with the rest of the country. Since there are numerous flights to Jammu from major metropolitan cities, travelling becomes less cumbersome. If you're in luck, you might actually even get great flight deals for Jammu, depending on the airlines and their plans.

Best time to visit Jammu

Jammu's pleasant weather all-year-round makes it one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in India. The sheer beauty of the city which is snuggled up on the banks of the Tawi river and surrounded by the Himalayas makes Jammu a holiday destination. One of the biggest perks of Jammu's weather is how it remains pleasant and inviting throughout the year, except for the monsoon months. The period between September to April is ideal for visiting Jammu. This basically includes two varied seasons, winter and summer. Depending on which kind of activity appeals to you, you can accordingly book flight tickets to Jammu and pay a visit to the lovely city.

For winter sports such as skiing, cable rides and indulging in other such activities, the months October to February would do you good. The temperatures might go super low, but it would be pleasant and appealing to travellers who like the cold weather.

The spring season is between March to May when the town's vibrant green expanses start dancing under the rays of the sun. With various festivals that take place during this time, the city has a whole new lively vibe that you shouldn't miss. It would be nice to explore the dense green forests with Deodar trees enveloping the lands of Jammu. The Tawi lake also looks pristine under the summer sun.

Although monsoon season doesn't see humid weather or the kind that would annoy your travel itinerary, most of the sightseeing places are shut. Even if you do visit the city, there is not much that you can do. Hence, it is best to avoid going to Jammu during monsoon even if the cheap flight tickets tempt your souls unless you're okay with just hanging out in the city without indulging in tourist activities.

Places to see in Jammu

Temples

Jammu has a plethora of temples including the famous pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi. It is one of the most-visited shrines not just in India but globally as well. Millions of pilgrims go on an expedition and offer prayers to Goddess Mahalakshmi. Since the temple is within a cave and requires the pilgrims to trek to the summit, provisions for helicopter services and palanquins have been made available. Aside from this, the other shrines of gods that you can visit in Jammu are Raghunath Temple, Mahamaya temple, Bhairo Baba Temple and Dudhadhari Mandir. The city sees a surge in travellers every year as many flocks over to seek the blessings of Vaishno Devi.

Forts

The city also has a few century-old forts that were built in the time of princely ruler. The Bahu Fort is one such fort that comes from the Dogra Empire and was constructed under the rule of Raja Gulab Singh. The fort holds a historical significance while the structure's architecture is beautiful. You can also visit the Akhnoor Fort and Poonch Fort, which is a little away from the city centre.

Palaces

Jammu is a city that doesn't just boast impeccable pilgrimage but also numerous castles. The famous landmark of the city is the Amar Mahal Palace. Commissioned by Raja Amar Singh of the Dogra Empire hired a French architecture to design and constructed the palace. Today, it serves as a museum to the city and rakes in a lot of visits from travellers. There are beautiful artefacts and art collections on display. While you're on a palace excursion, do not miss the Mubarak Mandi Palace and Sheesh Mahal as they too have intriguing backstories.

Things to do in Jammu

Visit the Surinsar Lake

The sparkling Surinsar lake with its's crystal clear water and picturesque landscape attracts tourists to experience its peace and tranquil environment.

Dogra Art Museum

The impressive Dogra Empire has shaped much of Jammu's history and culture. You can actually witness some of the alluring paintings sketched by artists of the Dogra Empire.

Explore the Bhimgarh Fort

To reach the Bhimgarh fort, you can choose trekking or hiking as a means to reach the top. As the fort is perched on top of a hill and is 150 meters above ground, it easily becomes a delightful endeavour. Thanks to the aesthetic attractions within the fort with temples, pond and lavish rooms, the place sees excessive travellers. The view from the hilltop is another reason why it receives so much love.

Food and Restaurants

From galgal pickles to gorging down biryanis and kebabs, Jammu sees not just magnificent pilgrimage but also a diversity of cuisines coming together. Interestingly, as the city is a pilgrimage, much of the restaurants promote vegetarian food. However, there are some places which contribute to the biryani parties and chicken kebab clans. You will not miss any food that you've grown up with as Jammu has a variety of delicious Indian spread with Tibetan and Chinese touch.

You can indulge in some scrumptious vegetarian food at Pehalwan's Food Court and Balgotra Vaishno Restaurant. To enjoy food with some pristine view of the Himalayas and the Tawi lake, visit Falak. As for those who simply cannot do without some lip-smacking Mughlai food, Billu Di Hatti and Mughal Darbar are restaurant suggestions for you. There are some options reserved for those who indulge in international food such as Tibetan or Continental, which you can find at RMP Restaurant and The Imperial Grill Restaurant and Bar. But, to round things off, Ahdoos is the one place that will serve you with Kashmir's delightful cuisine.

How to reach Jammu (Transportation)

By Air

The Jammu airport is located at a decent 8 km distance from the city centre and has excellent flight connectivity to and from other major cities in the country. Air is usually considered to be the best mode of transport to choose when travelling to Jammu. The airport receives regular services from major airlines as the flights shuttle between Mumbai, Delhi Leh, Srinagar and more. In fact, Jammu also caters to the international audience as there are flight to and from international destinations. The domestic route for Jammu chosen by a majority of cities within the country passes through Delhi. Not all flights require layovers at the capital.

From the airport, there are shuttle services by hotels, if you have prior bookings. There are many taxi cabs and other modes of transport that would take you to the city centre or wherever you have booked your hotel in Jammu. The peak season sees a lot of crowds, and you might not be able to find good flight deals for Jammu. Hence, it is recommended that you book flight tickets to Jammu beforehand if you wish to snag some cheap flight tickets. Travelling to Jammu by flight is exceptionally comfortable and convenient.

By Rail

Jammu's very own railway station called the Jammu Tawi railway station has excellent connectivity with the rest of the cities in India. There is one train that actually starts at Jammu and ends at Trivandrum in Kerala. Basically, it's the story of two polar cities being joined by a convenient mode of transport. From regular mails to express trains, all kinds of rails will reach you to Jammu effortlessly. Further trains from cities like Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, Amritsar, Delhi and Trivandrum have trains that go to and come from Jammu. Travelling to your booked hotel room from the railway station is also not tough as there are many taxi cabs available right outside the premise.

By Road

Delhi is a popular route for Jammu and travellers often opt to travel to the capital and take a bus for the Jammu pilgrimage. As the capital has various inter-state buses that go to varied places in the North such as Manali, Shimla, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, etc., they have dedicated buses going to Jammu as well. There are state-run buses from Chandigarh too that you can choose to travel from. Many motorcycle enthusiasts take this as an opportunity to cruise through the Himachal Pradesh to reach Jammu. Depending on the domestic routes selected by motorcyclists, the said pass would lead them to Jammu.

  About Port Blair

Port Blair, famously known to have been a prison during the British era, is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is the only city in the archipelago with airport connectivity. The beautiful city of Port Blair has a significant history and culture that you should definitely explore. Not to mention the stunning beaches and green expanses that envelop the island city. The flight tickets to Port Blair are a little on the expensive side, but you can always opt for ferry or ships as an alternative to reach the city.

Best time to visit Port Blair

Port Blair offers a different vibe in every season, making it one of the most interesting places to visit. The summer season from March to May are perfect for scuba diving. The weather is not too harsh compared to the other places in India. The sky is clear, as are the waters, making it a diver's Shangri-La. The temperatures during summer in Port Blair range between 28 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius, which is quite pleasant and bearable. Besides, the waters would be there to cool your senses.

October to February is yet another stretch of months that sees good weather in Port Blair. The winters are quite mild but pleasant with temperatures dwindling between 15 degree Celsius to 34 degree Celsius. The weather plus the clear skies make it the most favourable season to visit Port Blair. Many honeymooners and travellers choose this season to visit the lovely Andaman Islands and explore its beaches. The city is full of life with bustling markets and beaches. Getting cheap tickets to Port Blair during the peak season is going to be quite challenging. However, if you spend more time online to figure out a good flight deal to Port Blair, immediately take it up.

Monsoon is definitely not ideal for visiting Port Blair, especially if you're planning to visit via the sea route. The heavy rainfall would cause a lot of discomfort during your voyage. Even flights might get delayed owing to bad weather.

Places to visit in Port Blair

Cellular Jail, famously known as Kalapani, is easily one of the top tourist attractions of Port Blair. What makes this place famous is how it played as a gruelling prison during the Colonial era, the memorial celebrates the lives of freedom fighters who were imprisoned on the island. The historical relevance of the place draws a lot of attention, as does the intriguing landscape. While you're here, also ensure to check out the Japanese Bunker, a complex boasting the relics of World War II. The place certainly has made several contributions to the Indian as well as global history and is definitely worth a visit. Aside from historic sites, the place also has one of the biggest pilgrim sites with a massive Murugan Temple. The exquisite Dravidian-style architecture with deities nestled on the gopuram makes for quite an experience.

An interesting excursion would be to check out the Mangkutan village where you will be taken through the rubber plantation, which is the primary source of income for people residing in Port Blair. You should also add the Marina Park and Aquarium in your list of places to visit in Port Blair. It hosts over 350 marine species, including turtles and sharks.

Things to do in Port Blair

As a city on an island, much of the place is surrounded by pristine beaches and azure blue water touching the shores. You can take up beach hopping as a way to visit some of the finest beaches of Port Blair and its surrounding. Do add Ross and Smith Islands, Butler Bay Beach, Rutland Island, Parrot Island, Cinque Island and Karmatang beach in your list. These beautiful beaches will give you the best treatment with open waters and a calming breeze. If you wish to indulge in some water sports, which we do recommend you should, go over to Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex to make the most of your time on the island. From parasailing to banana boat rides, the complex would give you a bunch of water sports activities to choose from.

Corbyn's Cove is quite a sight for sore eyes. The quaint space with its pristine blue waters would keep you engaged. Not to mention how the coconut and palm trees lining the beach would further add more scenic beauty to your pictures. If the beaches have started to bore you and you wish to get an aerial view of the lovely island where Port Blair is located, then you should trek up to the Madhuban Ranges. It is located in the Mount Harriet National Park and is known to offer the best views of the city and island from atop.

Food and Restaurants in Port Blair

Being an island could mean barely any options for vegetarians. However, vegetarians don't have to worry about that in Port Blair. The famous Annapurna restaurant and Kattabomman restaurants, both offer amazing South Indian food at an affordable cost. You will find vegetarian Chinese dishes at these food institutions as well. As for the travellers who cannot wait to check out what the seafood platter in Port Blair restaurants consists, head straight to New Lighthouse restaurant located near Marina Park in the city. You will definitely not be disappointed by the food or the ambience. You also have Sinclair's Bayview resort with its sea-facing restaurant to visit. The place has cuisine ranging from local Port Blair speciality to continental spread.

The city also caters to honeymooners and has some lovely romantic setting to give them a splendid experience. Amaya Lounge Bar is one such place where the location will blow your mind and the food, your senses. The cuisine is friendly to all as it sells experience more than heavenly food. Speaking of a romantic setting, to make things more personal, you can opt to go to Bonova Cafe and Pub, which is located close to the Govind Nagar Beach. The place has an exquisite vibe and food so divine. Mandalay restaurant is also one such restaurant in Port Blair that faces the sea and offers top-rated food. Plus, the price is not too expensive so you can try more for less money.

How to reach Port Blair

By Air

Port Blair, being the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has a domestic airport, commercially known as Veer Savarkar Airport. The airport has great flight connectivity from Port Blair to major cities in India. In fact, there are direct flights from Port Blair to Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Vizag and Delhi. These are the only destinations in India from where you can find flights to Port Blair. As for the other cities, options of connecting flights and layovers would be the only way to reach Port Blair by flight. There are no international routes connected to Port Blair as there is provision for only domestic flights. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir and Vistara have regular flights flying in and out of Port Blair. The closest cities to the Andaman Islands are Chennai, Vizag and Kolkata.

Reaching the island state from these three cities is known to be the easiest domestic route that can be taken. It barely takes 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Port Blair by flight from Chennai and Kolkata. However, if you are travelling from Delhi, the flight duration to Port Blair would easily take you 5 hours. International services to Port Blair are not allowed so travellers flying in from international routes will have to take a connecting flight to Port Blair. It is imperative that you carry your official documents and government papers as an international traveller. The airport conducts strict immigration checks to ensure non-natives do not enter unless the government gives them the green signal.

Interestingly, there are chopper services also available to reach Port Blair from Indian cities. Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd. has dedicated chopper services transporting people to Port Blair from Chennai.

By Water

Various private and government ferries connect to Port Blair. You can find these ferries at the Chennai port as well as Vizag and Kolkata. Although reaching Port Blair from the sea is time-consuming, it does give you a different kind of experience, which is worth it. Out of the ships and ferry options, Chennai port is closer compared to Vizag and Kolkata, so it is recommended that you board your ships from here. Travelling by ship works perfectly if you are planning a long vacation. However, if the trip is time-bound, then you should opt to fly to Port Blair. The ship and ferry services connect to Port Blair and some of its famous islands such as Havelock, Neil Island and more.

For travellers opting ship and waterways as the medium of transport, it is recommended that you book your tickets 15 days in advance. You can make online bookings for your tickets to Port Blair as these government-owned as well as private ships have active online portals. At the same time, be abreast of the challenges that would come with travelling by sea. Many people tend to fall seasick, and this results in the whole trip being ruined. Be mindful and cautious before choosing ships.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.