Air India continues to operate some exceptionally long services to North America. This is due to not flying over Pakistan and, due to the ongoing war, not being able to fly over Iran either. The result continues to be an array of one-stop operations to North America, mainly stopping en route to refuel and change crew.
In August, Air India operates seven routes to the US and Canada. Some of the links that currently stop en route are scheduled to operate nonstop from September. This is highly ambitious and unlikely to materialize. While unconfirmed, the same situation may also apply to the upcoming new route from Mumbai to Toronto, which is set to start in October.
Air India’s Longest North American Flights In August
As usual with such analysis, the maximum block time is used, with this figure taken from Air India’s schedule submission to OAG. Reflecting slot possession, block time is measured as stand-to-stand or gate-to-gate. It includes taxiing at both ends of a route, the flight time, and a short period for delays.
Notice the first entry: Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) via Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). The maximum block time of 21 hours and 20 minutes takes effect on August 31, which is when the route resumes. In contrast, the maximum time from BOM to EWR via FCO in August is much shorter because the detour is far smaller.
A word about directionality. Several routes operate nonstop back to India. Usually, these are from the Eastern US/Canada, as they have tailwinds. However, flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) back to DEL are also nonstop. Until very recently, Air India stopped in Vienna en route to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), but that has now stopped. More on this development later.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) back to DEL via Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (CCU)
DEL to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) via FCO
Air India’s DEL-YYZ Flights No Longer Stop On The Way
From August 1, Air India shelved its stopover in Vienna International Airport (VIE) while flying between DEL and YYZ. This reduces the maximum block time by nearly three hours. This is, of course, a significant development, as it helps to increase the carrier’s competitiveness (which is something that it often struggles with), while reducing operating expenses.
The reintroduction of nonstop flights coincided with the route shifting from the 777-300ER to the 787-9 for the first time. It marked Air India’s inaugural North American operation with that 787 variant. It uses frames delivered directly to Air India, rather than those inherited from Vistara. They have the carrier’s latest cabins and premium economy.
Without the equipment change, flights would still run via Austria. Indeed, some will do so again soon. From September, when Air India’s DEL-YYZ frequency jumps from daily to ten times weekly, the additional three weekly departures will operate via VIE. They’ll be on the 777-300ER.
It is the largest unserved market between Australia & the US. Find out more here!
As discussed at the start of August, Air India will introduce a winter service from BOM to YYZ. The local market is of a very good size (128,000 round-trip passengers). The traffic volume is much greater than, say, between Sydney and Las Vegas, which is a route that Qantas will begin soon. Of course, these markets are far from being like-for-like comparisons. They have considerable differences, not least in terms of average fares. Despite covering similar distances, Las Vegas’ average base fare is 119% higher than the average base fare between BOM and YYZ.
The first departure from BOM is set for October 25, with three weekly flights on the 777-300ER. The cessation of Air Canada’s winter operation, which most recently flew via Heathrow, contributes to Air India’s decision to begin flights to YYZ.
As service between DEL and YYZ is now nonstop in both directions, will flights to BOM be the same? Given that the 777 will be used and that no other BOM-to-North America route is currently nonstop, this is unlikely. With a maximum block time to Canada’s busiest airport of 16 hours and 30 minutes, flights are currently scheduled to be nonstop. It’ll be good to see what materializes in late October.
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