Hi,
I did this route on 21st/27th August ( A/C was A340-300)
The LHR clubhouse is excellent ( allow plenty of time there).
There is a full meal service on the plane but if you wish to maximise sleep time then you could have a full meal in the clubhouse prior to boarding.
PJs offered soon after boarding.
Arrival at DEL is around 1100. when I was there in August immigration was dead ( no one but us) so we cleared in 2mins and the prioirty luggage came off around 10mins.
No problem with customs and arrival hall was quiet ( people do approach you offering you a taxi but I had a driver meeting me)
On departure,
Ticket check at entrance to the terminal then
Hold Bags to xray and they get a security wrapper round the case.
Separate UC check in desk ( Remember to get a label put on your handbaggage)
Remember to change any rupees back to £/$ prior to
Filling out the departure card and going through passport control
You will get a Lounge invitation to the CLipper lounge at check in
The lounge is in the departure lounge ( turn right after passort control)
The lounge is ok ( limited snacks) but drinks are free.
You will be advised to go to security about 1hr prior to departure .Security is done before going into the gate area and your handbagage label gets stamped.
no liquids were allowed and DEL has restrictions on loose batteries ( batteries in the camera itself is ok but any extra batteries will be taken and put in a cse ( I think they are handed back at landing at LHR)
The stamp gets checked after your bp is collected.
Another manual pat down on the jet way.
Daylight flight back to LHR so lunch, ice cream and afternoon tea is served.
Priority baggage for UC worked at LHR.
Regards
TBS
PS Remember to get an Indian visa.
DEL is interesting to say the least ( I stayed at the Hyatt- fine hotel)
Regards
TBS