Blog · 24 October 2026 · 6 min read

Flying alone from India to the US: a checklist for parents

Long-haul trips are tiring at any age. For a parent flying alone, the hard parts are rarely the flight itself. They're the moments in between: a connection in an unfamiliar airport, a form in a language they don't read easily, a queue that moves without explanation. A little preparation at home makes those moments much easier.

A week before

• Check the passport and visa. Make sure the passport is valid well beyond the travel dates and the visa is in the passport they are carrying.
• Request wheelchair or assistance when booking, or call the airline at least 48 hours before departure. Ask them to note it on every leg, including connections.
• Choose an aisle seat near the front if possible. It's easier to get up, and quicker to get off.
• Print a one-page travel sheet with flight numbers, the full address they're going to, your phone number and a second contact. Put one copy in the handbag and one in the cabin bag.

Medicines and health

• Keep all medicines in hand luggage, in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.
• Pack enough for the journey plus a couple of days of delay.
• Write the dosage times in both time zones, so they know when to take them on the plane.
• If they have a condition that could flare up, ask their doctor whether they're fit to fly and carry a short note.

The phone

• Make sure the phone works abroad: turn on international roaming or buy an eSIM for the destination.
• Save your number as a favourite and set up WhatsApp calling, which works on airport Wi-Fi.
• Charge it fully and pack a small power bank and the right plug adapter.

On the day

1. Check-in: arrive early. Confirm the wheelchair at the counter and ask that it be arranged at the connecting and arrival airports too.
2. Security: passport and boarding pass in hand; phone, coins and belt in the tray.
3. At the gate: sit close to the gate and tell the gate staff they're travelling alone. Assistance passengers usually board first.
4. On the plane: the crew can help with overhead bags. If the airline hands out an arrival or customs form, fill it in before landing, and ask the crew for help if needed.
5. Connections: follow the "Transfers" or "Connecting flights" signs, not "Exit". If unsure, show the next boarding pass to any staff member.
6. Immigration: they'll be asked the purpose of the visit and how long they're staying. A short, practised answer helps: "I'm visiting my daughter for three months."
7. Customs: declare any food they are carrying. Rules on food differ by country and declaring is always the safe choice.

Company makes a difference

Families tell us the single most reassuring thing is knowing someone familiar is on the same flight: someone to sit with at the gate, ask "is this our queue?", or walk to the connection together. That's the idea behind Saathi.