Air India to Halt Delhi–Washington Flights from September 1 Amid Fleet Retrofit and Route Challenges

Air India has announced that it will suspend its direct flights between Delhi and Washington D.C. starting September 1. The decision comes as the airline undergoes a major fleet upgrade that has temporarily taken multiple Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft out of service.

The Tata Group-owned carrier currently operates five weekly flights on this route, but the ongoing retrofit of 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft means fewer planes are available for long-haul services. This retrofit programme, which began last month, aims to modernise the cabins and significantly improve passenger comfort. However, with the work expected to last until at least the end of 2026, Air India will be juggling its fleet to maintain reliability across its network.

Adding to the challenge is the continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace, which forces flights from Delhi to Washington to take longer routes. The westbound journey currently includes a stopover in Vienna, stretching the total travel time to nearly 19 hours. The return trip, which does not include a stop, still takes around 15 hours. This extra routing adds to fuel costs and operational complexity, making it harder to sustain the service.

Passengers with bookings after September 1 will be contacted by the airline and offered alternative arrangements. These may include rebooking via other U.S. cities like New York, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco, from where connecting flights are available through partners such as Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Customers can also opt for a full refund if preferred.

Air India will continue to serve six North American destinations, including New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver. The airline’s broader transformation plan also involves retrofitting 13 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from early 2027, a process expected to be completed by October 2028.

This suspension is part of a wider adjustment in Air India’s route network, which has seen the withdrawal of services on five international routes in recent months. While it is a temporary setback for passengers traveling directly between Delhi and Washington, the airline hopes that the ongoing upgrades will eventually lead to a more comfortable and reliable flying experience once the revamped fleet returns to service.

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