Maharaja steers clear of queer, flies straight

Air India's Spouse Plus offer is attracting lovers, mistresses. Even gay partners want to slip in, but can't

Maharaja steers clear of queer, flies straight

Air India's Spouse Plus offer is attracting lovers, mistresses. Even gay partners want to slip in, but can't

Air India is breaking many gay hearts. Hearts that want to soar in love and fly a little affordable.

"I have received a number of queries from gay couples who are interested in availing of the scheme. However, as gay marriage is not legal in India they can not be issued tickets under this offer. While Air India officials don't always check the marital status of couples it's not possible for gays to hide their identity," said a travel agent from Mumbai, requesting anonymity.

For gays, it's heartburn all the way. "Gay relationship is not recognised in our society. It is a criminal act. The Air India scheme is good but for gay couples to even hope to be a part of it is like putting the cart before the horse," said leading gay activist Ashok Row Kavi.u00a0

"If caught, a homosexual couple can be handed over to the police," added Ashok Row Kavi.

Under the airline's Spouse Plus offer, couples flying in Executive Class have to pay for only one person. The companion is allowed to travel free. What makes the freebie even more attractive is that along with a free ticket, the couple gets a complimentary stay at a Taj Hotel. However, as per the offer, only a spouse is allowed to travel with the person who has booked the ticket. As per instructions issued by Air India, the couple has to submit a signed declaration of their marriage at the time of booking the ticket.

But that isn't a hurdle for unmarried couples who want to fly free. "We generally check the identity cards of the couple to check if the surnames match. If it does, we issue them tickets under the scheme. If the surnames differ, we enquire a little but avoid asking too many questions as people might feel offended. We give them the benefit of doubt. And as each couple has to sign a declaration, we are safe," said a Delhi travel agent, requesting anonymity.

Air India too is not overtly concerned about the marital status of its fliers. "The scheme was launched on January 6. Though we are yet to calculate the number of bookings, the response to the scheme seems encouraging. Though directions regarding ticket bookings have been issued so that only spouses are allowed, if someone wants to cheat, we cannot check them. We can't sit at the airport with police officials to check whether the couples claiming to be married or actually so," said Jitendra Bhargava, the Air India spokesperson.

Scheme it

Offer allows passenger paying full Executive Class fare to take accompanying spouse free of cost in the same class and flight while travelling within India.

The offer will remain valid til February 28, 2009.

Document: A signed declaration from the passenger indicating the name of the spouse for ticketing purpose.
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Eligibility: Only spouse permitted

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