New Delhi30 Nov 23 1 Traveller Economy
Showing International Flight from Mumbai
About Mumbai
Mumbai is to India is what New York is to America, a city of dreams. The place with its rich heritage and urbane culture has since forever brought forth people from all walks of life together. It is also recognised as the commercial capital of India with over millions of migrants flocking over from different parts of the country and even world! Mumbai is the second big city in India after Delhi and has a busy airport as well as an active lifestyle. The city has far too many beautiful places to visit and culture to take in. Mumbai has been named after Mumba Devi and is the state Maharashtra's capital. The flight connectivity of Mumbai is splendid with various major cities in the world, making it one of the most important cities.
Best time to visit Mumbai
Fixing an ideal season to visit Mumbai can be tricky as the city is always bustling with energy and travellers. The winters in Mumbai are pleasant as the temperatures drop, and the city's festive spirit takes over. Even though the atmosphere is humid during winter, the city life would not cease to amaze you. Mumbai's monsoon is legendary as everybody loves and hates the city's rains at the same time. From June to September, the city of Mumbai experiences heavy rain which could be cumbersome for travelling but beautiful nevertheless. Flight tickets to Mumbai are often a little pricey as the city is an important commercial hub. The living expenses and accommodation has a range from cheap to extravagant. You can book a hotel in Mumbai or pick the hostel life.
Places to visit in Mumbai
The city is full of vibrant places and heritages to explore. The top attractions of Mumbai include the Gateway of India. Located right at the Colaba bay is the beautiful gate-like structure build by the Britishers. The structure continues to attract tourists to this day as it faces the beautiful Arabian Sea on one side and the Taj Mahal hotel on the other. While you're exploring South Mumbai, you should check out the ancient Asian Library which is located at Horniman Circle. The steps of the library is a prime spot for concerts hosted by Kala Ghoda Festival. You should also visit the Taraporewala Aquarium which has some beautiful marine life, including the remains of an enormous whale. The Nehru Planetarium located in Worli is an interesting complex where you will be blessed with some fabulous mysteries of the universe.
Beaches
Located on the coast, Mumbai's shores touch the Arabian Sea. The crowded beaches might not be clean as compared to some of the pristine blue shores of Goa or Kerala, but the vibrant energy of people enjoying the sunset on the beach is a wholesome experience. You can check out beaches such as Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, Girgaum Chowpatty Beach, Gorai Beach and Aksa Beach, to name a few. A little away from the city centre lies this untouched beach called Rajodi Beach, where you can actually learn how to surf.
Pilgrimage
Mumbai is also famous for its love for Lord Ganesha. The famous Siddhivinayak Temple is interestingly located at the heart of the city, in Dadar. The temple sees a staggering footfall regularly as many devotees worship the power of Lord Ganesha. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the pandals built around the temple looks exquisite. Another important pilgrimage is the Haji Ali, located on the Arabian Sea and connected to the city by a narrow bridge. Close to the Haji Ali is the Mahalakshmi Temple, also nestled by the edge of the sea. You should also visit Mount Mary in Bandra. Other important temples include Mumba Devi and ISKCON.
Things to do in Mumbai
Walk on the promenade popularly known as Marine Drive
The much-hyped Marine Drive, also known as Queen's Necklace, is a promenade constructed by the city. Many movies have been shot with Marine Drive as the backdrop. There is literally no reason yet every reason to check out this place, sit over the promenade and stare at the wide sea.
Shop at Colaba Causeway Market
Colaba Causeway is another prominent marketplace in the city that is forever crowded. Causeway's collection of accessories, clothes, chappals and the area, everything is a vibe that you'd want to be a part of. Plus, famous cafes such as Mondegar and Leopold are also located here.
Spend a day at Goregaon Film City
Mumbai's biggest highlight and gift to the world is Bollywood. Home to one of the biggest film industries in the world, the Goregaon Film City is one such place you simply cannot miss when in the city. Watch the actors play their roles in a make-believe set that you've always watched in the comfort of your couch at home.
Explore the Sanjay Gandhi National Park
A little away from the city centre is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, also known as the city's lungs, is a vast expanse of lush green forest. You can rent cycles and explore the national park, opt for trekking and trek the trails leading to Kanheri Caves or simply just pack a lunch and indulge in some picnic at the park.
Food and Restaurants in Mumbai
The list of places with the best food in Mumbai is exhausting. The city, with its urban lifestyle, has a type of restaurant and food for every kind of crowd. For the ones who want to get their hands dirty (literally) with Mumbai's street food culture, Khao gallis is the place to be at. There are many Khao gallis in the city, starting from Churchgate to Ghatkopar. These lanes are dedicated spots for hawkers and street food owners to sell their speciality. You'll find vada pavs, pav bhaji stalls, chat corners, Anna with his slew of South Indian dishes like idli, vada, dosa, guys selling small street pizzas, frankie rolls, etc.
For the ones who wish to indulge in some pricey lounge setting, you should head to Masala Library, Gaylord, Hakkasan, The Bombay Canteen, Olive, The Clearing House, Bastian, Wasabi, to name a few. These places are celebrated and have been founded by renowned chefs from the culinary field. If you do not have any preferences as such, then you should visit some of the popular cafes and restaurants that have been part of Mumbai for a long time. These include Kyani's, Britannia & Co, Bademiya, Cafe Madras, Cafe Mondegar, Sardar Pav Bhaji, Cafe Gulshan, Cafe Leopold, O Pedro, Imbiss, to name a few.
How to reach Mumbai
By Air
Mumbai is one of the busiest cities in India, as is the city's domestic and international airport. As the commercial capital of the country, the city's domestic and international airports are admirably connected to big cities in the country and globally. Flights to and from Mumbai fly to various big cities in India such as Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Guwahati and basically most of the cities in the country. Formerly known by the name Sahar International Airport, the airport was re-christened to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminal 2) while the domestic airport has been named Santacruz Airport (Terminal 1). It is important for you to know from which terminal you'll be boarding the flight from Mumbai as they are located in two diverse sides of the city.
The airport has major Indian and international airlines stationed at the airport. These include IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Etihad Airways, Emirates and more. Mumbai's international routes are crowded too as there are multitudes of flights flying to global cities namely, New York, San Francisco, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Tokyo and more. Travelling from the airport within the city is quite convenient as there are taxi cabs, Ola and Uber services, rickshaws and buses that can be found right outside the airport. In fact, 1 km away from the airport is the Mumbai Metro which connects the city's varied geography.
By Rail
The railway network of Mumbai is touted to be one of the best in the city. It has direct train connections to various cities in India. These cities include Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and more. The city has two main terminals namely Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Mumbai Central, from where you can take outstation trains. However, much recently, they opened the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, which also connects to various parts of the country. There are mail trains and express trains that travel from the Mumbai city, including Mumbai Rajdhani, Duronto, Konkan Kanya Express and more. The excellent connectivity of Mumbai with other cities makes it easy to traverse.
By Road
Major national highways connect Mumbai to various parts of India. You can literally take a road trip to anywhere you want from Mumbai without any hassle. In fact, you can travel from any part of the country and reach Mumbai with its impeccable roadway connections. Not to mention how there are several buses run by the state and private owners that travel from the city regularly. Many travellers often opt for road trips as the roads leading up to Mumbai are beautiful. Travelling by buses is quite economical as well.
About Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) or formerly referred to as Malaysian Airline System (MAS) is primarily recognised by its brand name Malaysia Airlines. It is the national flag carrier of Malaysia and is also one of the members of the Oneworld airline alliance. The airline has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In fact, the airport is also the main hub for the airline with Kota, Kinabalu and Kuching being the secondary hubs. The airline was predominantly owned by the Malaysian government's sovereign wealth fund called Khazanah Nasional. It owned about 69.37 per cent of stakes in the airline. However, in 2014, the fund further expressed interest to purchase the remaining ownership from the small-time shareholders and to even de-list Malaysia Airlines from Malaysia's stock exchange. Their eventual aim was to renationalise the airline by primarily taking over the entire venture. The airline has catered to a slew of destinations sprawled across Asia, Europe and Oceania. It currently operates two subsidiary airlines under its wing, namely, Firefly and MASwings.
Malaysia Airlines' Firefly operates from its two designated home bases in Penang International Airport and Subang International Airport. It has scheduled flight operations and focuses majorly on tertiary cities. Meanwhile, MASwings focuses on inter-Borneo flights. Along with the passenger-flying airline subsidiary, Malaysia Airlines also has a cargo carrier fleet called MASkargo. The freighter fleet enables cargo carrier services and caters to the aircraft cargo-hold capacity for all the dedicated passenger flights of Malaysia Airlines. The history of the airline traces back to the time when it was founded as Malayan Airways Limited. The airline was founded in the 1930s, in Singapore and chartered its first commercial flight in 1947. In 1963, the airline was rebranded as Malaysian Airways following the formation of Malaysia. As Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1966, the airline was once again renamed as Malaysia - Singapore Airlines. Eventually, the assets were divided, and in 1972 two diverse airlines, namely Malaysian Airline System and Singapore Airlines, were formed.
Over the years since its formation as a dedicated national flag carrier to Malaysia, the airline has received tremendous recognition by Skytrax, including the titles of The World's 5-Star Airline and Asia's Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards. They have actually won these accolades on multiple occasions. However, despite the recognition and accolades, Malaysia Airlines has struggled to cope with the costs that have accumulated with the rise in the low-cost carriers prevalent in the region. After incurring huge losses, the airline did announce a turnaround plan by cutting a few routes prominent yet unprofitable long-haul international destinations. These included Los Angeles and Buenos Aires in North and South America as well as cities in South Africa. Internal restructuring of the management and operations in Malaysia Airlines also kick-started as they planned to sell off some of the engineering and pilot training units. Malaysia Airlines currently owns about 28 subsidiaries, of which 25 of them are wholly owned by the company. Further, the airline has also diversified into various sectors that are pertinent and related to the aviation industry. These include aviation engineering, tour operator operations, aircraft ground handling and aircraft leasing, to name a few.
Fleet size of Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines' current fleet size accommodates 81 aircraft in total. The airline majorly has Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It has a total of 48 Boeing 737-800 narrow-body aircraft, 15 Airbus A330-300s, six Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-900 and Airbus A380-800. Meanwhile, the airline has already placed an order for 15 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 10 Boeing 737 MAX 10. Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 flights cater majorly to the high-demanding medium-haul and long-haul routes. These flights also accommodate business class and economy class cabins. Meanwhile, they started accepting deliveries of six Airbus A350-900 in 2017 and replaced them with the ageing Boeing 777-200ER fleet.
With the inclusion of Airbus A350-900, the airline received its first aircraft fleet with provisions of first-class cabins. With a view to replacing the ageing Boeing 747-400 fleet with Airbus A380s, Malaysia Airlines also signed a contract in 2003 to purchase six of the new fleet. Although the flights were expected to be delivered in 2007, there were some delays that cropped up due to manufacturing concerns. Malaysia Airlines did announce to purchase 25 Boeing 737 MAX jets in 2016, the aviation authorities put the deliveries on halt, following two fatal crashes that took place in less than five months.
Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance in Malaysia Airlines varies depending on the ticket type and class cabin. For passengers who are travelling from the business class cabin, the maximum weight for checked baggage allowed is 40 kg. The passenger will be charged extra if the weight exceeds the set allowance weight. As for the economy class cabin, the airline allows 30 kg of checked baggage. The checked baggage dimensions should also not exceed a sum of 158 cm. While extra baggage weight can be purchased, the same cannot be done for the dimensions as it is a mandatory clause. For hand baggage, the airline allows two pieces to be carried in the cabin. The weight of the two bags should not exceed 14 kg. As for the economy class cabin passengers, the airline allows baggage weight to be 7 kg and not more than that.
Passengers also need to make a note of the dimension of the baggage which should be within the total dimension of 115 cm. Should your baggage weigh more than the free checked baggage allowance allotted by Malaysia Airlines, the airline would charge in US dollars per kg. It will also depend on the passenger's point of departure for the tariff. For example, if the passenger is travelling from India, the set airline charge for the excess baggage would be USD 20 per kilo. Medicines and toiletry items such as perfumes, toothpaste, creams, etc., can be carried in hand luggage, provided they are in 100 ml/mg containers. The airline also expects the passengers to put the said toiletries in transparent plastic bags, and the total dimension should not exceed 80 cm. Special reservations are made for passengers who are travelling with infants. Details of the same can be found on the official website of the airline.
In-flight services
Malaysia Airlines is recognised for its immaculate in-flight services that range from world-class hospitality to well-equipped flights. The airline offers a slew of exquisite in-flight services such as comfortable seating arrangement, reclining seats made of leather, decent legroom, personalised in-flight entertainment systems, in-flight meals for medium and long haul flights, and more. These facilities are available on all the class cabins to enable a comfortable journey for the passenger.
Popular routes and top cities for Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines initially catered to about 118 domestic routes and over 114 international routes that sprawled over six continents. However, following the announcement of the turnaround plan in 2006 to accommodate more profits to the venture, the airline terminated several flight services to destinations that didn't yield profit. Some of the routes whose flight operations were reduced include Vienna, Manchester, Kolkata, Zurich, Chengdu, Fukuoka, Xi'an, Cairo, Ahmedabad and Nagoya. The airline did commence services to South Africa with flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg, to name a few.
However, these services were also suspended following the cost-cutting plans. Malaysia Airlines has played a pivotal role in introducing the Kangaroo Route, which has direct connections to Australian and New Zealand destinations from Europe via Kuala Lumpur, in less than 5 hours. As of 2020, the airline caters to top cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Phnom Penh, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, Jakarta, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Kathmandu, Jeddah, Medina, Seoul, Colombo, Bangkok, London, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to name a few.
Why travel by Malaysia Airlines?
Malaysia Airlines has witnessed tremendous trials and tribulations over the years since it rebranded and became a new aviation entity. Despite all the concerns with respect to losses and debts, the airline continues to offer world-class facilities and amenities that manage to attract travellers to choose the said airline. Over the years, the airline has terminated a few of its international routes and domestic routes to accommodate better in-flight services and enhance the travel experience of the passengers.
Further, they have also started online booking facilities as well as ensured to keep their website up to date. Passengers can book a Malaysia Airlines ticket online without having to worry much as it is available on all travel portals. The airline's phenomenal connectivity with major Southeast Asian destinations has added to its reputation for being a sought-after choice to travel in the Asian continent. Plus, their newer and more comfortable international routes with direct flights have also put them on the map. Passengers can do web check-ins as well as get updates on the flight status. They can also get hold of Malaysia Airlines' flight schedule on their official website to help plan a trip.
About Mumbai Airport
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which was acknowledged as Sahar International Airport, is a prominent international airport that serves the Mumbai metropolis. It is deemed to be the second busiest airport in India, after Delhi, with respect to international passenger traffic and cargo traffic. Recently, the airport crossed London's Gatwick Airport to become the world's busiest airports to operate a single runway at a time. The airport is sprawled across 1,850 acres and takes care of about 950 aircraft movements in a day. The airport has been awarded various titles including, "Best Airport in India and Central Asia". Mumbai airport is also recognised as one of the three airports to implement Airport Collaborative Decision Making in India. A-CDM has been implemented to ensure that the efficiency in terms of takeoffs and landings, along with other necessary facilities.
About Mumbai Airport Terminals
Initially, the Mumbai Airport, also previously known as Sahar International Airport, had both the international and domestic terminals located in the same airport. With the introduction of T2, the terminals were divided into dedicated domestic and international airports, sharing the same runway and airport complex. The domestic airport, also called the Santacruz Airport, served flights to primarily operate domestic airlines and low-cost carriers. Meanwhile, the international airport focussed on international airlines and flights flying out of the city. However, much recently, all the domestic and international flight activities have been shifted to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Terminal 2 has many provisions, including multi-level parking for 5,000 cars, 192 check-in counters, 60 immigration counters for departure, 14 baggage carousels and 76 immigration booths for arrival. There are many numerous lounges, including the GVK lounge, which is a luxury lounge. There are lounges for Business class travellers and first-class passengers as well.
About airport authority
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is owned and served by MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Private Limited). MIAL is a consortium of GVK Industries Ltd., Bidvest, Airports Company South Africa and Airports Authority of India. While the consortium holds 74 per cent ownership, the other 26 per cent is owned by the Airports Authority of India. Ever since the MIAL venture has come into existence, the international airport has witnessed tremendous infrastructural growth. There are tremendous improvements in terms of the aesthetics, passenger convenience, design and refurbishing of the domestic terminals 1A&1B as well as the international terminals 2B & 2C. A new domestic terminal 1C has also been introduced in Terminal 2. MIAL has also undertaken projects to improve the taxiways, aprons and rehabilitation of both the runways.
Facilities at the Mumbai Airport
Child care centres: To make travelling with young ones easier and convenient, special child care rooms have been created at the Mumbai Airport. The room is reserved to cater to the needs of young kids ranging from changing diapers to feeding and many such necessities. It is well-sanitised and is well-maintained to ensure that the mother feels safe. Baby strollers have also been made available at the airport
Smoking zones: Enclosed smoking rooms have been arranged for at the Mumbai Airport. The smoking lounges are facilitated to ensure that the atmosphere of the airport is smoke-free. You can also purchase packets at the airport.
WiFi and Telecommunication Services: WiFi and telecommunication services are also available at the Mumbai Airport. There are free WiFis and Premium WiFis available. This way, you wouldn't have to compromise on your business and professional obligations. You can also find SIM card facilities at the airport for a temporary SIM if you have come for a short period of time.
Medical Centre: The Mumbai Airport is well-equipped with medical services to cater to emergencies. There are ICU ambulances and medical centres catering to medical emergencies 24/7. They are spread out in the airport's vicinity.
Luggage services, cloak room and baggage trolleys: Special storage services have been accommodated where you can keep your luggage and other items. Other luggage facilities include depositing of the baggage at the domestic terminal and receiving them at the international terminal. You can also find baggage trolleys outside the airport as well as in the terminal.
ATMs and Currency exchange: The airport also has provisions for foreign exchange. The airport also has ATMs and other money-related facilities to make travelling more convenient for passengers. The airport has a bevy of foreign exchange counters, ATMs and banks.
Valet parking and other parking facilities: Mumbai airport also has valet parking and other parking services. You can pay a nominal fee and keep your car at the airport's parking zone. You can also avail from their valet parking services.
Play zone, prayer and meditation rooms: If you are travelling with kids, you can actually take them to the play area that has been reserved for kids. They are safe and child-friendly. The airport also has special rooms for multi-faith prayer rooms as well as meditation halls. While you wait for your flight and are nervous, you can use this time to relax and calm your nerves.
Restaurants and cafes: The airport has a slew of restaurants and cafes that you can check out. From classic local establishments such as Shiv Sagar to globally recognised joints such as Burger King, McDonald's and KFC, you can find them at the airport. There are provisions for restaurants serving liquor as well.
Automated buggies: To make commute within the airport convenient, you can also take the buggy services. They will pick you up from the security check and drop you at the boarding area. The services are especially recommended for people with medical conditions and disabilities. The airport also has wheelchairs and other services to commute within the terminal.
Postal services: The Mumbai airport also has provision for postal services. Postal services are located at the exit of both the terminals of Mumbai airport. If you have any last-minute document that needs to be mailed, you wouldn't need to worry about it.
VIP lounge: The airport is also host to many VIP lounges and upscaled restaurants and food establishments. If you are a premium member at any of the airlines with airport lounge as one of the perks, you will be able to benefit the privileges of the VIP lounge as well as the services provided by them.
Top airlines flying from the Mumbai Airport
Mumbai airport is excellently connected to major domestic and international cities. Unsurprisingly, it is known to be the second busiest airport in the country due to its phenomenal ability to accommodate a slew of international and domestic airlines. In fact, the airport witnesses approximately 950 aircraft activities on a daily basis. Mumbai airport connects domestic cities such as Rajkot, Dehradun, Madurai, Lucknow, Kannur, Leh, Ranchi, Jabalpur and more. Thanks to the brilliant connectivity Mumbai has with other cities in the country, it doesn't require any connecting flights too. In fact, the Mumbai airport has a majority of airlines operating from the city. Airlines such as Alliance Air, Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara operate from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
The city also harbours a plethora of international cities and flights. The international airlines operating from Mumbai airport are quite similar to the ones that operate from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. International airlines such as Air Asia, Air Arabia, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania, Bangkok Airways, Bhutan Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, IranAir, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Uzbekistan Airways, operate from Mumbai airport. Thanks to the immaculate connectivity, the city sees a lot of crowd flocking over from various other cities and towns to take international flights.
How to reach the Mumbai Airport
The domestic and the international airport of Mumbai have separate gateways to enter. While the domestic airport, Terminal 1, also known as Santacruz Airport, is located in Santacruz, the international airport, T2, is located in Andheri. To reach Mumbai airport, it is imperative that you know which terminal you need to catch your flight from. Depending on the same, you can travel to the airport.
By Rail
To reach Mumbai airport Terminal 1, the closest railway station is Ville Parle railway station which falls on the Western and Harbour Line of the Mumbai railway network. Meanwhile, to reach the international Mumbai airport, Terminal 2, you should get down at the Andheri station lying on the Mumbai railway network. From here, you can take a rickshaw and reach the city. Mumbai's metro line is perfectly connected with Airport Road and Marol Naka stations while T1 is close to the Western Express Highway station. Both the terminals are very close to the Mumbai Metro. The city is currently expanding the Mumbai metro line further by adding more lines to connect to the airport. An underground network from Cuffe Parade to SEEPZ is in the works which have one stop at the Santacruz airport and the other close to the GVK SkyCity terminal.
