Air India to Temporarily Halt Delhi-Washington Flights as of September 1.
Air India Suspends Delhi-Washington Service Due to Retrofit Program and Pakistani Airspace Closure
Air India has announced that it will be halting its non-stop flight services between Delhi and Washington, D.C., from September 1, 2025. The suspension is primarily due to a planned shortfall in the airline's fleet, as they commence retrofitting 26 of their Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
The retrofit program aims to significantly enhance the customer experience by upgrading the interiors of the 26 aircraft. This process started recently and is expected to necessitate taking several planes out of operations at any time until late 2026. The retrofit is a key factor in the reduced fleet availability impacting several routes, including the Delhi-Washington service.
In addition to the retrofit program, the continued closure of Pakistani airspace has also impacted Air India's long-haul flights. This has led to longer flight routings and increased operational complexity for the airline.
Passengers on the Delhi-Washington route beyond September 1 will be contacted for alternative travel options. These alternatives include rebooking on other Air India flights or interline partners via hubs like New York, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco, or offered full refunds. Air India will maintain non-stop flights to six other North American cities, including Toronto and Vancouver.
The retrofit program is part of Air India's efforts to modernize its fleet and enhance the customer experience. The airline will allow passengers to travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to the final destination. Passengers will continue to have the option of one-stop flights to Washington, D.C., via four US gateways - New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, and San Francisco - with the airline's interline partners.
The retrofit program is intended to reduce operational disruptions for both Air India and its customers. The first legacy Dreamliner has started its retrofit under Air India's $400 million fleet retrofit program announced in December 2022. The retrofit will significantly enhance the reliability of Air India's 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft.
This operational pause is temporary, aligned with the retrofit schedule and external airspace restrictions. Air India assures its passengers that it is committed to providing a safe, seamless, and comfortable travel experience.
Table:
| Reason for Delhi-Washington Service Suspension | Boeing 787-8 Retrofit Program Status | |---------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Planned fleet shortfall due to Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner retrofits | Started recently; will keep multiple aircraft grounded until end of 2026 | | Operational impact from continued Pakistani airspace closure | Comprehensive interior upgrade aiming at enhanced customer experience | | Resulting operational complexity and longer flight routes | Retrofit affects 26 aircraft and reduces fleet availability |
Travelers planning to utilize Air India's non-stop flights between Delhi and Washington, D.C., should be aware of the temporary suspension starting from September 1, 2025. This decision is partly due to the travel disruptions caused by the shutdown of Pakistani airspace and the airline's continuous efforts to enhance passengers' lifestyle by retrofitting their Boeing 787-8 aircraft, a process already underway.
