The world of air travel in India is a dynamic space, constantly shaped by the preferences and habits of millions of travelers. A recent report by MakeMyTrip, an online travel company, reveals fascinating travel patterns of Indians, on both domestic and international routes.
According to the report, approximately half of all domestic flyers opt for flights between 9 am and 6 pm, showcasing a strong inclination towards daytime travel. Moreover, a nuanced gender divide emerges, with women favoring window seats while men tend to choose aisles.
Delving deeper into the culinary aspect of air travel, the most popular in-flight meal on domestic flights is the Tomato Cucumber Cheese Lettuce Sandwich. Furthermore, Eastern states prefer hotels, with approximately half of travelers choosing room-only bookings for domestic stays. Let’s further dig in into the city-wise trends of travelers –
City-wise trends of travelers
Delhi
In Delhi, popular destinations like Rishikesh and Amritsar dominate the search queries. Travelers from Delhi prefer flights between 12 PM and 6 PM, indicating a preference for midday departures. Surprisingly, travelers tend to book domestic flights less than a week ahead of the travel date. Additionally, there is a higher preference for pre-booking meals among international travelers.
Mumbai
Mumbai travelers show a strong interest in destinations like Goa and Pune. Similar to Delhi, flights between 12 PM and 6 PM are preferred. There is also a high intent for pre-booking meals, particularly for international travel. Maharashtra sees the highest share of domestic hotel searches, with a preference for villas.
Kolkata
In Kolkata, destinations like Digha and Mandarmani are highly sought after. Travelers from Kolkata tend to book flights well in advance, especially for international travel. They also show a high preference for booking in-flight meals for domestic flights.
Chennai
Chennai travelers are inclined towards destinations like Madurai and Pondicherry. They prefer flights between 6 PM and 12 AM and often book international flights 30 days in advance. Travelers from Chennai actively pre-select seats for both domestic and international flights and show a higher preference for in-flight meals on domestic routes.
Bangalore
In Bangalore, destinations like Mysore, Coorg, and Mangalore are popular. Interestingly, travelers from Bangalore prefer flights between 12 AM and 6 AM, suggesting a preference for early morning departures. They also actively pre-select seats for international flights and show a higher preference for in-flight meals on domestic routes.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad travelers are interested in destinations like Vishakhapatnam and Tirupati. Flights between 6 AM and 3 PM are preferred, with many travelers booking domestic flights less than a week in advance. There is also a high preference for pre-selecting seats for domestic flights, and approximately half of domestic travelers prefer room-only accommodations.