Air India to Suspend Direct Delhi-Washington Flights from September 1

Air India has announced that it will discontinue its direct services between Washington, D.C., and Delhi from September 1, 2025. The move is because of a combination of operating issues in pursuit of ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the airline's overall network.

The suspension is largely attributed to a scheduled temporary shortage in Air India's fleet, as the airline started retrofitting 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft last month. This significant upgrade, aimed at improving the passenger experience, will see various aircraft being out of service for extended periods until the end of 2026. The continued closure of airspace over Pakistan has also led to longer flight routes and increased operational complexity for Air India's long-haul services.

Delhi-Washington passengers scheduled to travel after September 1 will be called and provided with options for alternative travel, such as rescheduling on other flights or full refunds, depending on personal choice.

Passengers are still able to travel to Washington, D.C. on one-stop flights from four U.S. gateways Newark (EWR) and New York (JFK), Chicago, and San Francisco operated jointly with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. The interline arrangements enable passengers to purchase a single ticket with bags checked through to their destination.

Air India will keep on having non-stop services connecting India and six other North American cities, which include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.