Air India has restored non-stop flight operations connecting Delhi and Mumbai with New York after previously restricted airspace reopened, allowing the carrier to discontinue technical stops in Rome that had been introduced for refuelling.
The restoration of services across all four India-New York routes will reduce travel time by up to five hours, with journeys that previously took around 22 hours now taking approximately 17 hours, Air India announced in a statement on November 15.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian-registered and Indian-operated aircraft in April last year, and subsequent restrictions across parts of the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions had further impacted flight routings between India and North America. Consequently, Air India's services from Delhi and Mumbai to New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport had been operating with technical stops in Rome for refuelling.
While Pakistani airspace remains closed, the opening of Iraqi skies has helped shorten travel times on these North American routes. Air India currently operates one daily flight each between Delhi and Mumbai and JFK, alongside four weekly flights between Delhi and Newark and three weekly flights between Mumbai and Newark.
Flights from Delhi to JFK and Newark are operated using Air India's Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which feature 28 Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 264 Economy Class seats. Meanwhile, services from Mumbai to JFK and Newark utilize Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with eight First Class suites featuring sliding privacy doors, 40 flat-bed Business Class seats, and 280 Economy Class seats.
Air India stated that the reinstatement of non-stop services, combined with its upgraded aircraft and cabin configurations, will strengthen its presence in the India-US market and provide passengers with enhanced convenience and connectivity.