Tata-owned Air India began operations on its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft from Delhi to Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday. This marks a key expansion of Air India’s A350 service, following the inaugural Delhi-New York (JFK) route launched on November 1, 2024. The move makes the A350 the exclusive aircraft serving all direct flights between India’s capital and New York region destinations, the airline announced.
Air India’s ongoing enhancements to its international route network aim to optimse schedules, boost connectivity, and improve cabin experiences. From 2025, Air India plans to deploy upgraded A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft on key U.S. and UK routes while extending premium services to Southeast Asia and Europe gateways. These updates are designed to offer seamless intercontinental travel options for passengers connecting between North America, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia via Air India hubs in Delhi and Mumbai.
Currently, Air India operates a combined fleet of 298 aircraft, servicing 55 domestic and 48 international destinations. By 2027, the airline aims to add 100 planes, supplementing its fleet with Vistara’s assets and upcoming new aircraft to maintain competitiveness, particularly on metro routes and corporate-heavy international sectors like London and Frankfurt. Despite these ambitions, the airline faces challenges with aging Boeing 777 aircraft impacting its North America operations.
