Air India has resumed non-stop operations across all four of its routes connecting Delhi and Mumbai with New York, following the reopening of previously restricted airspace that had required enroute refuelling stops, the airline announced on Sunday, November 15.
The restoration reduces total travel time by up to five hours on affected routes, bringing journey durations that had extended to around 22 hours back down to approximately 17 hours.
Earlier this year, the closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian airlines, followed by airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East amid regional conflict, had impacted flight routings between India and North America. Consequently, Air India’s services from Delhi and Mumbai to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) were operating with a technical stop in Rome for refuelling.
With airspace restrictions now eased, Air India has restored direct flights across all four India–New York routes. The airline currently operates one daily flight from Delhi to JFK, one daily flight from Mumbai to JFK, four weekly flights between Delhi and Newark, and three weekly flights between Mumbai and Newark.
Flights from Delhi to both JFK and Newark are operated with Airbus A350-900 aircraft in a three-class configuration comprising 28 Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 264 Economy Class seats.
Meanwhile, flights from Mumbai to JFK and Newark are operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with upgraded cabin interiors featuring eight First Class suites with privacy sliding doors, 40 flat-bed Business Class seats, and 280 Economy Class seats.
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