Generally speaking summer vacation period is expensive as is Christmas and Thanksgiving. Also weekends tend to be more expensive(Friday departure and Sunday return). Try non-vacation, non-holiday periods and during the middle of the week for both-- onward and return travel.



Have you tried Turkish Airlines? Service is good. Two piece baggage allowed. Hindu meal option(vegetarian) is also provided. Call them and see if they can provide seats with extra leg room(first row).


You can also book directly(online) from them, although it may be cheaper if you buy from a travel agent from India.


https://online.turkishairlines.com/internet-booking/schedule.tk





Here's a sample adult fare that I could directly retrieve from their online booking site:

https://online.turkishairlines.com/internet-booking/availabilityInt.tk



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Selected Dates

Departure

Delhi, Indira Gandhi International - Toronto, Lester B. Pearson International

Wednesday 02 April 2014

Return

Toronto, Lester B. Pearson International - Delhi, Indira Gandhi International

Wednesday 13 August 2014
Round trip

From

1,092 €

1 Adult, all included
Round trip from 1,092 €
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------







On a side note: I know this query is for your parents and not sure if they'd be interested. As a bonus, internal flights(within Turkey are free) if you book with their international service. So you can combine your visit to Canada (or India if you are going outbound) with a trip to a few Turkish cities.

So I have 3 options now : can some one advise on which one to prefer for senior parents air travelling for 1st time.

--------------------------------------------
Air India : Delhi to London 32" seat pitch
Air Canada : London to Toronto 31" seat pitch

Similar for return as well.

Price CAD 1340/-

Concern : If wheelchair is requested will staff transport passenger between gates @ Heathrow.

------------------------------

Emirates : Dubai to Toronto 14 hr flight but flying double decker A380-800 . 32 - 34 " seat pitch

CAD 1500/-

--------------------------------

Cathay Pacific : Premium Economy : DEL-HK (6 hrs) HK-Toronto (15 hrs) 38" seat pitch

Return Journey is longer (30 hrs + ) but Premium Economy all the way .

CAD 1515/- ..Looks enticing as it is Premium economy ...38" seat pitch

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fido.

Fido any particular reason to opt of Jet Airways . From my personal experience it seems to the BEST and most convenient flight especially for parents and people travelling with kids .

Hi Newdes ,

Thanks for your response .. When I was checking yesterday , I found that most of the sets on Jet Airways flight were already booked for that flight .... Not sure if thats the case with all but while booking itself it was showing 'Preview Availability' only for Jet Airways ... But I will check again ...

My preference is comfortable sitting . They say that Airbus 380 is a huge aircraft and very comfortable ... That was the reason for choosing Emirates ..... Cathay Pacific is offering premium economy in the same price ..Hence the reason for short-listing.

Will review Jet Airways as well ...

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fido.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Fido

Hi Newdes ,

Thanks for your response .. When I was checking yesterday , I found that most of the sets on Jet Airways flight were already booked for that flight .... Not sure if thats the case with all but while booking itself it was showing 'Preview Availability' only for Jet Airways ... But I will check again ...

My preference is comfortable sitting . They say that Airbus 380 is a huge aircraft and very comfortable ... That was the reason for choosing Emirates ..... Cathay Pacific is offering premium economy in the same price ..Hence the reason for short-listing.

Will review Jet Airways as well ...

---

-----------------------------------------------------------------
DELHI INDIAN

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Fido

So I have 3 options now : can some one advise on which one to prefer for senior parents air travelling for 1st time.

--------------------------------------------
Air India : Delhi to London 32" seat pitch
Air Canada : London to Toronto 34" seat pitch

Similar for return as well.

Price CAD 1340/-

Concern : If wheelchair is requested will staff transport passenger between gates @ Heathrow.

------------------------------

Emirates : Dubai to Toronto 14 hr flight but flying double decker A380-800 . 32 - 34 " seat pitch

CAD 1500/-

--------------------------------

Cathay Pacific : Premium Economy : DEL-HK (6 hrs) HK-Toronto (5 hrs) 38" seat pitch

Return Journey is longer (30 hrs + ) but Premium Economy all the way .

CAD 1515/- ..Looks enticing as it is Premium economy ...38" seat pitch

---

-----------------------------------------------------------------
DELHI INDIAN

Fido,

Do not choose mix of airlines (like Air India/Air Canada). You have many options for Toronto and choose any depending on how much time of stop over is convenient for you.

Some of the good options are http://www.expedia.ca/Flights-Search?trip=roundtrip&leg1=from%3ADelhi%2C+India+%28DEL-Indira+Gandhi+Intl.%29%2Cto%3AToronto%2C+ON%2C+Canada+%28YYZ-Pearson+Intl.%29%2Cdeparture%3A16%2F06%2F2014TANYT&leg2=from%3AToronto%2C+ON%2C+Canada+%28YYZ-Pearson+Intl.%29%2Cto%3ADelhi%2C+India+%28DEL-Indira+Gandhi+Intl.%29%2Cdeparture%3A12%2F10%2F2014TANYT&passengers=children%3A0%2Cadults%3A2%2Cseniors%3A0%2Cinfantinlap%3AY&options=cabinclass%3Aeconomy%2Cnopenalty%3AN%2Csortby%3Aprice&mode=search :
Jet/Lufthansa/Austrian/British Airways/Cathay/Emirates.

Jet is a good option as Brussels stop over is convenient and small airport as compared to others and if I remember correctly BRU-YYZ flight go from same or nearby gate usually.

By the way Cathay from HKG to YYZ will take 15 hours not 5 hours.

2" of extra space should not be huge consideration as it just does not make much difference.