Air India reportedly plans to increase its international schedule in 2024, with direct flights to seven destinations in the pipeline.
The Indian flag carrier is reportedly aiming to launch nonstop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Jakarta (CGK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Los Angeles (LAX), Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), Seattle (SEA), and Zurich (ZRH).
While not confirmed yet, rumors have been flying around on Twitter/X about the Indian flag carrier’s international expansion, with seemingly leaked infographics of Air India’s route map showing the seven cities above.
For centuries, Indian classical dance and folk-art forms have served as medium of storytelling and instruction. Today, they tell another story, that of inflight safety.
Presenting Air India’s new Safety Film, inspired by the rich and diverse dance traditions of India.#FlyAI… pic.twitter.com/b7ULTRuX1Z
— Air India (@airindia) February 23, 2024
The three nonstop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Seattle from Delhi International Airport (DEL) will particularly interest U.S. customers. These locations, along with Calgary (YYC) and Edmonton (YEG), comprise Delhi’s top five unserved North American markets.
None of the airports have a direct Indian service, so the move would greatly enhance connectivity between the U.S. and India. The Gulf carriers currently serving the airports, including Qatar Airways and Emirates, may take a hit, as they particularly count on Indian traffic to beef up their passenger numbers.
Of three American destinations, only LAX has been served by Air India before, back in 2008, routing from Delhi via Frankfurt (FRA) using a Boeing 747-400. If it does indeed return, it will be Air India’s first nonstop service to the city of angels.
Photo: Delhi, India. Courtesy of Laurentiu Morariu on Unsplash
Categorized as ultra-long-haul flights, the flights from Delhi to Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle take more than 16 hours, and direct options provide customers with added comfort and convenience.
While nothing is confirmed, it is believed that Dallas may put on five return flights a week to Delhi, representing Air India’s third-longest route network-wide.
Industry insiders forecast the routes will be served by Air India’s brand new A350 and 777 aircraft, with the winter schedule of 2024-25 a likely timeframe for the latest schedule to launch.
The new routes would add to Air India’s existing U.S. network, which includes Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington (IAD). Air India also services major Canadian destinations, including Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR).
Other U.S.-India Services
The only other airlines to offer nonstop flights between the U.S. and India are American Airlines and United Airlines, which provide services to Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), and Delhi.
Industry insiders also predict that a raft of services from Bengaluru to London Gatwick (LGW) are on the horizon. Increased demand for passengers seeking passage to the U.K. could mean the service, which would likely be operated with a Boeing Dreamliner, starts as early as next month.
Photo: Boston-Logan International Airport. Courtesy of Philippe Murray-Pietsch / Unsplash
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) could also see Air India flights this year. Indeed, Air India officials said last year that Boston was under serious consideration as a potential new destination.
While expansion is a goal for many major airlines, they are contingent on several moving parts. Complex logistics are involved, including pilot, crew, and runway space availability.
In a positive sign, Air India placed orders for 470 planes with Boeing and Airbus, signaling its intent to enhance its capacity and evolve in an ever-growing aviation industry.
