Took a flight after 6 months. Here is what has changed. A thread: 1/n

Delhi IGI airport - queue outside was manageable. Not really 3 feet distance though. Two differences: 1. instead of handing over your phone to the guard, you now have to show it through a glass wall. 2. Thermal screening immediately after. Takes just a few seconds 2/n

Checkin at @airvistara was peaceful. Your loyalty status still counts and helps. Two differences: 1. you keep your luggage on the belt yourself (in case you were taking help earlier). 2. Baggage tags reach you as sms (why didn’t we do it before???) 3/n

Security 1: In Delhi IGI, all points have become ATRS (automated tray retrieval systems). People are still struggling though, trying to take the gigantic trays and stay in queue with it. Not much help from CISF 4/n

Security 2: the pat down is still there (only difference is metal detectors with a handle). Problem is that in the absence of a paper boarding pass (your phone is in the tray, remember), you have to pick your name from a list on his screen. Not sure how this is scalable 5/n

Surprisingly (for me), all stores in the airport are open - from Brooks Brothers to Fab India. Not sure who is shopping. The regular credit card sales kiosks are also on! Decent social distancing 6/n

Food court: mostly deserted, but kiosks are quite active. With lounges shutting down I expected to see a lot of people but may be lower crowd because it was a weekday. My big discovery was that Coffee Day now sells beer :) 7/n

If you are scared about visiting a food court, you can also order on your way to the gate. This might be useful for many! 8/n

Seating at the gate is nicely spread out. Not sure how it will be in smaller airports. Middle seats have signage saying ‘dont sit here’. Not that most people are respecting it! 9/n

Airport advertising seems to be normal and activations are on. Found this very interesting company called qua qua which is setting up 360 degree visual experiences to promote travel 10/n

Boarding was smooth. In fact my flight finished boarding 40 minutes before take off. I guess people coming early helps. @airvistara gives you a kit at boarding gate - shield, sanitizer & mask. If you ask, they also give kid size shields. You need to wear them before boarding 11/n

In plane was smooth. In premium economy, we were served a sandwich (cold), biscuits, juice, a salad and a water bottle. No hot beverages. Some people still use the lavatory. Most did not. 12/n

Deplaning was peaceful. But passengers did crowd baggage belts in chennai, even though markings were on the floor. Guess many were just trying to get the hell out asap. Bags come out a bit wet. Was told because of the sanitising 13/n

Uber, etc ply at airports. As does govt pre-paid cabs. Aviation Express was closed though in Chennai. You can get e-pass on arrival. But checking at exit was a joke. The guard saw my phone screen from 10 feet away and waved us off. Taxi drivers mobbing you continues outside 14/14