Travel businesses such as Air India use a passenger name record, or PNR, to access a passenger's travel itinerary with a computer reservation system, or CRS. Air India publishes real-time flight updates to your PNR status, but to access any updates or messages, you need some basic information. If you use multiple airlines in an itinerary, all airlines can access your travel data and communicate with you via your PNR. The process for acquiring a PNR varies according to how you booked the flight. Airlines can attach four passengers to one PNR, as long as the group travels together.

Contact Air India (airindia.in) and book a flight to India. Provide your name and the name of the passengers who will fly with you. A parent may include an infant as a passenger on a PNR.

Request the PNR number for your flight from the airline representative or travel agent. Write down or print the number to keep it handy. If you prefer, you can call Air India's toll-free customer service line at 1-800-180-1407 later, and request the PNR number. You need to provide the representative with your name, departure day and destination.

Visit the Air India website and click on the tab that reads "Manage Your Trip," then select "Web Check In."

Select one of the four identification options and click "Continue." By accessing your information online, you can check for cancellations or changes in flights.