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| An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, like those used on flights to Washington, DC. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images |
Air India is set to halt one of its high-profile US routes, citing a combination of reduced aircraft availability and longer flight times caused by the prolonged partial closure of Pakistan’s airspace. The decision, announced on Monday, will see the suspension of flights between Delhi and Washington, DC, beginning September 1, marking a significant adjustment for the carrier’s North America network.
The move comes at a time when Air India is in the midst of a major transformation under its new owner, Tata Group, which acquired the airline in 2022. The company has embarked on an ambitious modernization drive aimed at making the carrier more competitive on the global stage. This includes significant investments in fleet upgrades, cabin refurbishments, and expanded long-haul service — but also means certain aircraft must be taken out of service for extended maintenance.
Modernization Meets Operational Constraints
One of the airline’s most prominent initiatives involves retrofitting 26 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with upgraded interiors, including new seating, improved in-flight entertainment systems, and enhanced cabin comfort. While this promises a better passenger experience in the long run, it has temporarily reduced the number of planes available for service. With multiple Dreamliners undergoing refurbishment at any given time until the end of next year, Air India has had to make difficult choices about which routes to prioritize.
These decisions have been further complicated by the partial closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian carriers, implemented in late April amid renewed regional tensions between the two countries. The restriction has forced Indian airlines to take longer, less direct flight paths on certain international routes, adding both time and complexity to operations.
The Route That Couldn’t Stay Nonstop
The Delhi-to-Washington route, Flight 103, was among the services most heavily affected. Prior to the airspace restrictions, the flight could take a relatively efficient polar route — heading north over the Arctic Circle — allowing it to cover the distance in roughly 15 hours nonstop.
Since the closure, however, Air India has been forced to reroute westward, skirting Pakistani airspace entirely. This change has pushed the 787 Dreamliner near the limits of its maximum range, making nonstop operations impractical. As a result, the airline began scheduling a one-hour refueling stop in Vienna, Austria, extending the total journey time to about 19 hours.
What was once a seamless long-haul link between the Indian capital and the US capital has now become an endurance test for both passengers and crew. The extended travel time has not only reduced passenger appeal but has also added strain to fleet scheduling.
Passengers Offered Refunds or Alternate Connections
In its announcement, Air India said passengers booked on Delhi–Washington flights after September 1 will be offered the option of rebooking onto other US-bound services or receiving a full refund. The carrier will maintain its remaining four US destinations — New York JFK, Newark, Chicago O’Hare, and San Francisco — all of which can connect travelers to Washington, DC, via partnerships with Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
However, even these alternative itineraries have been affected by the same routing restrictions. Air India’s Delhi–JFK service, Flight 101, which once took around 14 hours, now takes roughly 16. For several weeks earlier this year, that route also required a European refueling stop, although it has since resumed nonstop operations since mid-May.
The Broader Impact on Air India’s US Strategy
The suspension of the Delhi–Washington route underscores the vulnerability of long-haul airline networks to geopolitical shifts. For Air India, the situation is particularly challenging, as its ambitions to grow transcontinental service to North America are now colliding with both aircraft shortages and routing inefficiencies beyond its control.
While the Tata Group’s modernization program is expected to strengthen Air India’s position in the premium international travel market over time, the next year could prove to be a balancing act — maintaining service breadth while juggling reduced capacity and longer flight schedules.
The Delhi–Washington connection, which once symbolized a direct diplomatic and cultural link between two world capitals, will now rely on a patchwork of connecting flights. Until Pakistan’s airspace reopens to Indian carriers, it is unlikely Air India will revisit nonstop plans for this particular route.
