London-Mumbai

August 4, 2008 5:14 PM

Cheap flights London-Mumbai (Bombay)?

So I'd like to fly to Mumbai around the 18th of August and return around the 1st of September.
I'm in England: where should I fly from, who's the cheapest?
O hive mind help me.
Anony cos this is a surprise for the bf!

posted by anonymous to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Try using something like SideStep. I just got a great deal on Los Angeles to Mumbai by using their 'look at rate by calendar' feature.
posted by rooftop secrets at 5:54 PM on August 4, 2008

A search on ITA Software (which displays prices for virtually all airlines but doesn't allow you to book; you call the airline itself and quote the exact fare code listed) shows me that a variety of airlines (Air France, Northwest/KLM, Qatar with one stop, Virgin, BA, and Air India nonstop) can get you there and back for under 500 quid taxes/surcharges/etc included. Dead cheapest is Northwest/KLM via Amsterdam at 424 pounds, which is frankly pretty cheap for two weeks in advance. If you call them (08705 074074), ask for fare VLPROGB from Heathrow to Bombay. KLM, their partner airline, is two pounds more expensive for the same flights.

Man, a surprise trip to India...lucky boyfriend!

PS: on the page I linked to, change the sales city at the bottom of the search page to "LHR" to get prices in pounds.
posted by mdonley at 6:44 PM on August 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Jet Airways! Cheap but with fantastic service, delicious food, and new planes.
posted by cachondeo45 at 8:00 PM on August 4, 2008

Where's the "look at rate by calendar" feature on sidestep? I don't see it on their home page.
posted by tesseract420 at 1:14 AM on August 5, 2008