Is the flight to Lukla safe?
Flight to Lukla is definitely more dangerous than any other commercial airport but it is still pretty safe. About 20 or 30 aircraft land in Lukla every day during the peak season & almost every trekker who visit the Everest region go on this flight. There have been several accidents involving passenger aircraft at Lukla Airport in the past. Since then, the flight regulations & conditions for aircraft making a journey to Lukla airport have become more strict which has improved passengers' safety in recent days. While the flight to Lukla can be very nerve-wracking but it still remains the first adventure that one will have to go through before the Everest Base camp trek.
About Lukla's flight delays
Due to the change in weather conditions, altitude & rapid change in visibility, the flight to Lukla is very difficult to schedule & predict. There are a lot of cases where the flight to Lukla is delayed or sometimes even canceled because of unfavorable weather conditions. For the sake of the safety of all passengers, the Airline company doesn’t take any risks with the weather condition. So, delays with Lukla flights are very common which can happen at any time of the year but it can especially happen around monsoon season.
If your flight is delayed then, we will reschedule you for the next quickest possible flight. This can be very soon or it may even take a few days which is totally unpredictable. So, the best way to cope with this problem is to add a few extra days to the end of your trip. We suggest all the trekkers consider this as part of their journey & have patience if they ever have to face Lukla flight delays.
About luggage delays at Lukla
Sometimes it is possible that your luggage will be delayed by the airlines or shifted to another flight. You should make sure to put all your important & emergency things like medications to keep in your handbag. Luggage delays or misplacement of bags isn’t handled by us but we will try our best to get your things to you as soon as possible.
About Helicopters to Lukla
Helicopters to Lukla are easier & flexible than a flight to Lukla. We can immediately shift your flight to a helicopter in case of flight cancellation or flight delay if you want. The helicopter can be a little more expensive than a flight but if you decide to take this route then, we can help you book the helicopter & make the rest of the arrangements for you. In case of flight cancellation & flight delay, we will refund you the cost of your plane ticket.
Lukla Helicopter cost
If you choose to go by helicopter then, you should be ready to pay 500$-700$ extra per person. The cost of the helicopter isn’t fixed as it changes from time to time. The cost of the helicopter will be the most expensive when everyone demands it & cheapest when there are the least demands. Also, the price may vary from the one in Kathmandu & to the one offered in the mountains. But normally, you should prepare yourself to pay around 500$-700$ extra per person if you decide to go by helicopter.
Options to get back to Kathmandu in case of Lukla's flight cancellation
It is always best to plan some extra days while trekking to the Everest region to deal with flight delays & cancellations. You might want to look into other options to get back to Kathmandu if you’re stuck in Lukla. Some of the options are;
– Trekking from Jiri
– Hike out to Salleri
– Helicopter to Paphlu
– Helicopter to Surkhe
– Flight from Ramechhap
