Air India Expands its Reach in North America Amid Strong Market Competition

Air India currently operates 11 direct routes to North America, connecting key Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with major hubs like New York (JFK and Newark), San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver. Nine of these flights are bound for the U.S., and two serve Canada. Despite this strong network, Air India has hinted at expanding its North American operations with potential new routes to Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Seattle. While these new destinations have been discussed, official confirmations and start dates are yet to be announced. Los Angeles, once served by Air India via Frankfurt, is a prominent candidate for relaunch, and there has been frequent talk of launching a route to Boston, though no official statements have been made regarding this.

According to Cirium data, from October 2024 to February 2025, Air India will account for three-quarters of all non-stop flight seats between India and North America. When factoring in Air India’s Star Alliance partners, United Airlines and Air Canada, the share jumps to 94%. This highlights the alliance’s significant presence in the market. However, Air India holds only a 13% market share of total passengers traveling between India and North America. This relatively small share is primarily due to the abundance of one-stop flight options available through hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. These alternatives offer travelers more flexibility and competitive fares, drawing a substantial number of passengers away from direct flights.

The airline’s current North American fleet includes Boeing 777s and 787-8 Dreamliners. Its Boeing 777-300ER fleet comprises 328-seat planes previously used by Etihad Airways and 342-seat models owned by Air India. The airline also operates Boeing 777-200LR aircraft with 238 and 288-seat configurations, some of which were once part of Delta Air Lines’ fleet. The 787-8 Dreamliners, offering 256 seats, are utilized for select routes.

Looking ahead, Air India’s long-haul operations will soon receive a major upgrade with the introduction of the Airbus A350-900. These planes, configured with 316 seats, will enter service in early 2024. The A350 will provide an enhanced passenger experience, addressing feedback on the aging interiors of Air India’s older Boeing 777s. The addition of the A350 is expected to boost the airline’s competitiveness, improve passenger comfort, and possibly lead to higher ticket prices. The A350 will debut on the Delhi-New York JFK route in November 2024, followed by the Delhi-Newark route in January 2025.

Current Route Timings and Fleet Details

Air India’s schedule for its North American routes showcases its extensive reach. The Delhi to Toronto route operates 10 flights per week, with plans to increase to double daily service in November 2024, using Boeing 777-300ERs. The Delhi to San Francisco route has 10 weekly flights, flown on the 777-200LR. A daily service operates between Delhi and Chicago O’Hare on the 777-300ER, while the Delhi to New York JFK route also operates daily on the 777-300ER, though this will switch to the A350-900 in November 2024.

In addition, the Delhi to Vancouver route runs daily using the 777-300ER. Mumbai’s daily service to New York JFK also utilizes the 777-300ER. The Delhi to Newark route operates five times weekly, transitioning from the 777-200LR/300ER to the A350-900 by January 2025. Delhi to Washington Dulles offers five flights weekly, using the 787-8. The Mumbai to San Francisco route runs four times weekly on the 777-200LR, while the Bengaluru to San Francisco service operates three times weekly on the same aircraft. Mumbai to Newark offers three flights weekly on the 777-300ER.

Among these routes, the Delhi-Toronto corridor is particularly critical for Air India. In 2023, booking data showed that 760,000 passengers traveled between these two cities, averaging over 2,000 passengers daily. Due to this high demand, Air India plans to expand its Delhi-Toronto service from 10 weekly flights to double daily beginning in early November 2024. This increase in service will intensify competition with Air Canada, which operates its own daily flights on the same route. By doubling its flights, Air India hopes to capture a larger share of the point-to-point traffic between Toronto and Delhi, as well as expand its reach to the broader Toronto-India market, which includes other Indian cities.

In 2023, nearly 660,000 passengers flew between Toronto and destinations beyond Delhi, highlighting the significance of this market. Increasing the frequency of flights will also position Air India to attract more connecting passengers from Toronto to key destinations across Southeast Asia. These include popular cities such as Bangkok, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, and Singapore. With connection times as short as 75 minutes in some cases, Air India is poised to offer one of the fastest travel options for passengers flying between Toronto and Southeast Asia. The airline is expected to attract more travelers by providing competitive fares and promotional deals as it ramps up its service on these routes.

As Air India increases its North American footprint, the introduction of more direct flights and the upgrade of its fleet with the A350 will be crucial in differentiating the airline from its competitors. Despite the abundance of one-stop options for passengers traveling between India and North America, the airline’s expansion efforts and improved service offerings are aimed at making it a stronger contender in the long-haul market. Passengers can look forward to a blend of convenience, competitive pricing, and enhanced comfort as Air India moves to capitalize on growing demand in the India-North America travel corridor.