Air India to Launch A350 on Delhi–London Route

In yet another milestone in Air India’s ongoing transformation, the airline plans to launch its new Airbus A350-900s on the first long-haul international route.

Beginning September 1, 2024, Air India will begin to fly its Airbus A350-900s between Delhi and London on 14 of 17 weekly flights, as per Aeroroutes.

The upcoming launch marks the first long-haul route its new product will be debuted on, and it’s taking to the skies complete with refreshed cabins and the airline’s new identity.

Air India’s First Long-Haul Route for the A350-900

Air India will launch the new Airbus A350-900s on its first long-haul international route later this year.

Until now, the airline has been flying its growing A350 fleet on a number of domestic routes, as well as on shorter-haul routes from Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) to Dubai (DXB). 

As of September 1, 2024, that’s all set to change when Air India’s A350-900s will operate 14 of the 17 weekly flights between Delhi (DEL) and London Heathrow (LHR), replacing the Boeing 777-200LR/-300ERs aircraft currently in service.

The flight times on which you’ll find the new aircraft in September 2024 are as follows:

• AI161, Delhi (DEL) to London Heathrow (LHR), departing 2:45am and arriving 7:30am
• AI162, London Heathrow (LHR) to Delhi (DEL), departing 9:45am and arriving 10:50pm
• AI111, Delhi (DEL) to London Heathrow (LHR), departing 6:45am and arriving 11:30am
• AI112, London Heathrow (LHR) to Delhi (DEL), departing 1:15pm and arriving 2:05am the following day
• AI165, Delhi (DEL) to London Heathrow (LHR), departing 2:15pm and arriving 7pm
• AI166, London Heathrow (LHR) to Delhi (DEL), departing 8:45pm and arriving 9:40am the following day
• AI165, Delhi (DEL) to London Heathrow (LHR), departing 3:15pm and arriving 8pm
• AI166, London Heathrow (LHR) to Delhi (DEL), departing 9:45pm and arriving 10:35am the following day

It’s the first long-haul route for Air India’s new A350, and the latest move by the airline as it continues its transformation, which includes modern cabin upgrades, the launch of its refreshed in-flight amenities, and more.

For North American travellers looking to fly to or from India on the new planes, you’ll have to look at connecting through London for now, as the A350 hasn’t made the move to non-stop flights to North America just yet.

Passengers can choose…