Air India is significantly expanding its international flight schedule and fleet rostering, offering passengers more travel options and enhanced comfort.
These changes take effect from 30 March 2025, as part of the airline’s Northern Summer schedule.
More Flights to the UK and Europe
Travelers to and from the United Kingdom will benefit from increased frequencies on several key routes. The Delhi-London Heathrow route remains a popular choice for business and leisure travelers. It will see three additional weekly flights, bringing the total to 24.
These flights will be operated by a mix of Air India’s flagship A350-900 and upgraded Boeing 787-9 aircraft, ensuring a comfortable and modern travel experience.
Air India is also boosting connectivity to other UK cities. Flights from Amritsar to both Birmingham and London Gatwick will increase from three to four times a week.
The Ahmedabad-London Gatwick route will see the most significant increase, going from three to five weekly flights, providing greater flexibility for passengers.
Across the Channel, Air India is also enhancing its European network. The Delhi-Zurich route will add one weekly flight, bringing the total to five. Similarly, the Delhi-Vienna route will increase from three to four weekly flights, catering to growing demand.
Expanding Reach in Asia and Africa
Air India’s expansion will extend beyond its European network. The airline is also strengthening its presence in the Far East.
The Delhi-Seoul Incheon route will see an increase from four to five weekly flights. Furthermore, capacity on the Delhi-Hong Kong route will be increased. This will see a switch from the Airbus A321 to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for all seven weekly flights.
On the African continent, the Delhi-Nairobi route will also see an increase in frequency, going from three to four weekly flights, facilitating stronger connections between India and East Africa.
Fleet Modernization and Upgrades
Air India is not only expanding its flight network but also investing heavily in upgrading its fleet. The modernization of the airline’s narrowbody aircraft is progressing well and is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
The first of the legacy widebody aircraft, a Boeing 787, will begin its retrofit in April 2025. This retrofit will include new seats and state-of-the-art entertainment systems, significantly improving the passenger experience.
The aircraft is expected to return to service in October 2025. Following this initial upgrade, two to three Boeing 787s will undergo the retrofit process each month until all 27 legacy aircraft have been upgraded.
Boeing 777 Retrofit and Service Adjustments
While the Boeing 787 upgrades are on track, the retrofit of the legacy Boeing 777 fleet, originally planned for 2025, will now commence in early 2026.
This delay is due to production constraints at the selected seat supplier. However, Air India is taking proactive steps to refresh other elements of the Boeing 777 interiors during 2025, ensuring a more pleasant travel environment ahead of the full retrofit program.
As a result of the retrofit program and the temporary reduction in the operational fleet, Air India will be suspending its non-stop Mumbai-Melbourne service between March 30 and September 13, 2025.
The non-stop Kochi-London Gatwick route will also be suspended from March 30, 2025, until further notice.
Despite these adjustments, Air India will continue to operate 12 weekly flights to London Gatwick from Amritsar, Ahmedabad, and Goa. This ensures continued connectivity to this important destination.
These strategic adjustments will allow Air India to effectively manage its fleet during the upgrade process and ensure a long-term improvement in passenger experience.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
