Across Continents: Air India’s Direct Flights Open Doors for South-West USA

After two years of extensive preparations such as:

• Fleet expansion
• Pilot training
• Inflight meals
• Customer service
• A new corporate identity
• Digital enhancements

Air India is nearing the take-off phase for additional routes in the US-India nonstop travel corridor. If everything goes well, from increased travel demand to regulatory clearances for Air India’s expansion in the United States, Indians in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle, Washington will be able to fly directly and offer the best deals on business class flights to India in the second half of 2024.

After months of studying Bengaluru and Hyderabad as prospective new hubs for international operations out of South India, Air India chose Kempegowda BLR Airport. Air India has declared its strategic ambitions to develop Bengaluru Airport as its second base, marking an important step toward becoming a global airline. Its partnership with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) would not only make Bengaluru the primary gateway to South India. But will also function as a connecting hub for international departures and arrivals.

Tata Airline’s US Network Expansion Targets South and West Coast

Previously, Boston and Los Angeles were the focus of Tata Airlines’ efforts to expand its US network. However, according to airline insiders, direct flights from Boston to India may not become a reality in the foreseeable future of Air travel. Boston may have missed out on the recent increase in the weekly frequency of Air India flights from:

• New York JFK
• Newark EWR
• Washington IAD.

The focus is shifting away from the east coast and toward the south and west coasts of the United States. Texas’ Indian immigrants and the Southern California Indian population have long been significant challengers for nonstop travel to India from the United States.

San Francisco is the city that provides direct connectivity to India for the majority of America, from south to west. Those living in Texas and Washington State cannot take direct flights from San Francisco to India. Undoubtedly, the much-anticipated Air India service to Dallas and Seattle would assist in reducing the demand-supply gap and improve international tour packages for family.

Direct Flights from USA to India

The possibility of direct flights from Seattle to India by Air India has rekindled the aspirations of Indians in Washington who had been frustrated by American Airlines’ continual deferral of Seattle – Bengaluru nonstop service. At the same time, a fare battle between Air India and Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines) offering one-stop flights from Seattle to India is not surprising. The introduction of nonstop service to Seattle would follow the scheduled introduction of Air India’s brand-new A350 aircraft into international operations in mid-2024.

The A350-900 is currently in domestic service in India. This is a widebody aircraft with a premium economy that can fly long-haul for 16-17 hours nonstop. According to reports, Air India may use Boeing 777-9 aircraft. This will be for its upcoming nonstop service from Dallas and Los Angeles to India. As part of the US$34 billion agreement with Boeing, Air India will provide the best deals on business class flights to India and will get a fleet of new widebody B777-9 aircraft commencing in late 2024.