Travel

Air India to Resume Non-Stop Flights to Mainland China; Delhi–Shanghai Route Restarting February 2026


Air India has officially announced the resumption of its non-stop operations to mainland China, nearly six years after services were halted. Beginning 1 February 2026, the airline will operate four weekly flights between Delhi and Shanghai (PVG), marking a major milestone in restoring India–China air connectivity.

The flights will be operated using Air India’s modern Boeing 787-8 aircraft, equipped with 18 fully flat beds in Business Class and 238 comfortable seats in Economy Class. Shanghai now becomes the 48th international destination served by the Air India group.

In addition, Air India has revealed plans to launch a Mumbai–Shanghai non-stop service later in 2026, pending regulatory permissions.

A Major Step Forward for India–China Connectivity

The resumption follows new diplomatic agreements that restored suspended air links between the two nations. Air India originally launched non-stop flights to mainland China in October 2000, and this relaunch reflects renewed confidence in business, tourism, trade, and academic exchanges.

Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson called the move a symbolic reconnection of two ancient cultures and fast-growing global economies.
He stated:

“This resumption is more than a route launch. It is a bridge between two great, ancient civilisations and modern economic powerhouses. We are happy to reconnect one of the world’s most vital air corridors, enabling travellers to pursue opportunities in business, trade, healthcare, education and culture — with warm Indian hospitality that defines Air India.”

Flight Schedule: Delhi (DEL) – Shanghai (PVG)

Effective 01 February 2026

Flight No.SectorDepartureArrivalDays
AI352Delhi–Shanghai1200 hrs2020 hrsTue, Thu, Fri, Sun
AI351Shanghai–Delhi2200 hrs0315 hrs (+1)Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun

Bookings are now progressively opening across Air India’s channels — website, app, sales offices, contact centre, and travel agents worldwide.

The airline expects that the restored route will help strengthen ties in pharmaceuticals, technology, education, finance, and tourism, contributing to deeper socio-economic exchanges.

Travel

Air India Adds 174 Weekly Flights to Domestic and Short-Haul International Network for Winter 2025


Air India has announced a significant network expansion for the Northern Winter Schedule 2025, introducing 174 additional weekly flights across key domestic and short-haul international routes starting 26 October 2025. The new schedule strengthens connectivity between major Indian cities and Southeast Asian destinations, reflecting the airline’s commitment to offering greater convenience and choice for travelers.

Among the international enhancements, flights from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar (Bali) will each increase from seven to ten weekly services, effective mid-November and early December respectively. Domestically, the expansion focuses on high-demand destinations in Rajasthan, with new routes such as Delhi–Jaipur and Delhi–Jaisalmer, along with increased frequencies on existing routes including Delhi–Udaipur, Mumbai–Jaipur, and Mumbai–Jodhpur. Additional flights are being introduced across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and other cities including Varanasi, Port Blair, Guwahati, Raipur, and Amritsar.

This growth follows the near completion of Air India’s comprehensive retrofit program for its legacy Airbus A320neo aircraft, launched in September 2024. Of the 27 aircraft, 26 have been completely refurbished with brand-new interiors featuring Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. With this upgrade, Air India now operates more than 100 A320 Family aircraft with enhanced interiors, serving over 80 domestic and short-haul international destinations.

The expansion is part of the airline’s ongoing transformation plan under Vihaan.AI, which aims to rebuild Air India into a world-class global carrier with an Indian heart. The airline, which returned to the Tata Group in 2022 after seven decades of government ownership, continues to evolve under an ambitious five-year roadmap. With more than 300 aircraft in its fleet and an order for 570 new planes underway, Air India is reshaping the future of Indian aviation through network growth, modern infrastructure, and superior customer experience.

As part of the larger Air India Group, which includes the full-service Air India and low-cost Air India Express, the company is leading the next chapter of Indian aviation by expanding reach, enhancing quality, and strengthening India’s position as a global travel hub.

#TravelwithAllycaral 👒

Air India Launches ‘One India’ Flat Fare Sale for Europe Flights


Air India has launched an exciting new promotional campaign titled the ‘One India’ sale, offering Indian travellers a simplified and budget-friendly way to explore Europe. With this limited-time flat fare offer, customers can travel from any city in India to any Air India destination in Europe at a consistent price, regardless of the domestic origin. This promotion makes it just as affordable to fly from Varanasi to Milan via Delhi as it is to fly from Delhi to Milan.

Under the ‘One India’ sale, all-inclusive round-trip fares to European cities are set at ₹47,000 for Economy Class, ₹70,000 for Premium Economy (on applicable routes), and ₹1,40,000 for Business Class. Special fares for flights to London Heathrow are also available—₹49,999 in Economy, ₹89,999 in Premium Economy, and ₹1,69,999 in Business Class.

Beyond the flat fares, the offer includes one complimentary date change per ticket, adding a layer of flexibility to customers’ travel plans. Members of Air India’s Maharaja Club enjoy additional savings with zero convenience fees when booking through the airline’s official website or mobile app.

To sweeten the deal, Air India is offering additional discounts of up to ₹3,000 per passenger with the promo code FLYAI. For instance, return trips to Europe and the UK qualify for savings of up to ₹3,000, and one-way journeys can save up to ₹2,000.

The sale begins with exclusive early access via Air India’s website and mobile app on 7 September 2025, and becomes available through all booking channels—including travel agents, airport counters, and the airline’s contact centre—between 8 and 11 September 2025. Seats under this promotional fare are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The promotional fares are valid for travel until 31 March 2026, giving customers a wide window to plan and enjoy their European getaways. Air India currently operates direct flights to major European cities including London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, and Zurich.

The ‘One India’ campaign underscores Air India’s commitment to enhancing travel access and affordability for Indian customers. With its Vihaan.AI transformation plan underway, Air India continues to modernize, expand, and offer world-class service while staying rooted in India’s legacy of hospitality. As the airline integrates fleet upgrades, customer benefits, and digital services, promotions like this reflect a renewed focus on customer-centric innovation.

Whether you’re a student, a business traveller, or a family looking to explore Europe, Air India’s ‘One India’ sale offers one of the most compelling deals of the year. Don’t miss this opportunity to travel smarter, farther, and more affordably.

#TravelwithAllycaral 👒

Air India Launches ‘Namaste World’ Sale with Domestic Fares from ₹1,499 and International Fares from ₹12,310


Air India has unveiled its much-anticipated ‘Namaste World’ promotional sale, delivering attractive all-inclusive fares across its domestic and international network.

For a limited time, one-way domestic fares start from just ₹1,499, while round-trip international fares begin at ₹12,310. The offer is valid until 11:59 pm on 15 August 2025 and applies to travel until 31 March 2026. Tickets can be booked through Air India’s direct channels and, after the first day, via travel agents and airport offices.

Web-Exclusive Day 1
On 10 August 2025, bookings were exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app. From the following day, customers can also book through all sales channels, including travel agents and airport ticket counters.

Book Direct Benefits
Passengers booking via Air India’s website or app enjoy zero convenience fees and additional savings:

  • Promo Code FLYAI – Save up to ₹1,000 per passenger.
  • Visa Card Promo Code VISAFLY – Discounts up to ₹2,500 per passenger, depending on the trip type and route.

VISA Card Offers:

  • Domestic One-Way: ₹250 off
  • Domestic Round Trip: ₹500 off
  • International One-Way: Up to ₹1,500 off
  • International Round Trip: Up to ₹2,500 off

Extra Travel Comfort
Air India is also offering up to 60% off on prepaid baggage and 15% off on seat selection, including extra-legroom seats, booked via both direct and indirect channels.

Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip International Fares (Ex-India):

  • India–Sri Lanka: ₹12,310
  • India–Singapore: ₹14,020
  • India–UAE: ₹18,060
  • India–USA: ₹49,635
  • India–United Kingdom: ₹44,500

Seats are limited and available on select domestic and international routes on a first-come, first-served basis. Fares may vary slightly depending on exchange rates and local taxes.

This offer comes as Air India, under Tata Group ownership, continues its Vihaan.AI transformation program, investing in new aircraft, upgraded interiors, expanded services, and enhanced passenger experiences.