Air India reaffirmed its commitment to North American operations, with continued non-stop services to six major destinations
Digital Desk: Air India will suspend its non-stop flights between Delhi and Washington, D.C., starting September 1, 2025, due to the temporary unavailability of several Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The grounds for the suspension is based on the large-scale retrofit programme to the airline status of 26 Boeing 787-8s operated by that airline with the aim of major improvements to customer experience.
The Tata Group-owned airline currently operates five weekly flights on this route using Dreamliner aircraft. In a statement released Monday, Air India cited “a combination of operational factors” for the decision, stressing the need to maintain reliability across its wider route network.
The retrofit project which started last month is projected to be rolled on till the end of 2026. Several aircraft will also be grounded during this time so that they are upgraded and this will culminate into a decline in the ability of the fleet. . Adding to the challenge ,the Pakistani airspace has continued to remain close, which has repeatedly posed a complication to the long-haul flight operations of the Indian carriers.
Nevertheless with the temporary suspension Air India will still provide one-stop services to Washington DC, through its alliances with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The partnerships will enable them to integrate through New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago and San Francisco, and the advantages include the single itineraries and the checked through bags.
Air India reasserted its interest in the North American market, and there were flights in North America with intercontinental non-stops to six major destinations such as Toronto and Vancouver. The airline stressed that the suspension is a strategic decision made out to secure the long-term quality of service and fleet efficiency.
While acknowledging potential inconvenience to passengers, Air India assured that efforts are being made to minimise disruption and offer alternative travel options . The retrofit programme is interpreted by the airline as one of the most important steps towards raising their international competitiveness and enhancing the general passenger experience.
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