Air India is making significant strides in its North American operations, expanding its network and introducing new aircraft to enhance passenger comfort and competitiveness. The airline currently serves 11 routes to North America, with nine flights to the United States and two to Canada. These routes connect key Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to major North American hubs, including New York (JFK and Newark), San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver.
While Air India already boasts a robust network, it has teased plans for additional routes to Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Seattle, though official announcements and launch dates remain elusive. Los Angeles, previously served via Frankfurt, is a strong contender for a relaunch, and Boston has also been discussed as a potential destination. Air India’s commitment to expanding its North American presence is evident in its market dominance. According to Cirium data, Air India will provide three-quarters of all nonstop seats between India and North America from October 2024 to February 2025. This dominance grows to 94% when factoring in Star Alliance partners Air Canada and United Airlines, highlighting the alliance’s strong foothold in this market.
Despite its dominance in direct flights, Air India currently holds a 13% market share of all passengers flying between India and North America. This is primarily due to the availability of numerous one-stop options through hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia, which provide greater flexibility and competitive pricing for travelers.
Air India operates its North American routes with a mix of Boeing 777s and 787-8s. The fleet includes a diverse range of aircraft, such as 328-seat 777-300ERs previously flown by Etihad Airways, along with Air India’s own 342-seat 777-300ERs. The airline also utilizes 777-200LR models with seating configurations of 238 and 288, some of which were previously operated by Delta Air Lines. Additionally, Air India’s 787-8 Dreamliners, configured with 256 seats, serve select routes.
Air India’s long-haul operations are set to receive a significant upgrade with the introduction of the Airbus A350-900. The carrier’s 316-seat A350s will debut on two routes in early 2024, offering passengers an enhanced travel experience. This move responds to customer feedback regarding the outdated interiors of the airline’s older Boeing 777s. The A350’s introduction is expected to boost Air India’s competitiveness, improve passenger comfort, and potentially allow the airline to command higher ticket prices. The A350s will debut on the Delhi-New York JFK route in November 2024 and expand to the Delhi-Newark route by January 2025.
The Toronto market holds significant importance for Air India. In 2023, booking data revealed that 760,000 passengers flew directly between Toronto and Delhi, averaging over 2,000 passengers daily. In response to this demand, Air India is increasing its Delhi-Toronto service from 10 weekly flights to double daily starting in early November. This increase will pit Air India in direct competition with Air Canada’s daily service on the same route.
This expanded service will enable Air India to capture a larger share of the Toronto-Delhi point-to-point market, as well as the broader Toronto-India market, which includes other major Indian cities. Beyond Delhi, nearly 660,000 passengers flew between Toronto and other destinations across India in 2023.
In addition to serving the Toronto-India market, the increased frequency will allow Air India to carry more connecting passengers to destinations across Southeast Asia, including 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 become one of the quickest options for travelers flying between Toronto and Southeast Asia, particularly for growing markets like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.
Passengers can expect competitive pricing and promotional offers as Air India ramps up its frequency and competes for market share in these regions. The airline’s focus on expanding its North American network, introducing modern aircraft, and increasing frequencies signals a clear commitment to enhancing the travel experience and capturing a larger share of the growing India-North America market.
