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Air India will discontinue its non-stop flights between Delhi and Washington, D.C., from September 1, 2025. The airline attributed the decision to a temporary shortage of aircraft during its Boeing 787-8 retrofit programme and the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, which is impacting flight routing.
The retrofit programme, launched last month, will see 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft undergo extensive cabin upgrades aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and service quality. However, it will keep several planes grounded until at least late 2026. This planned shortfall in available aircraft, combined with the longer flight paths required to bypass Pakistani airspace, has created operational constraints for Air India’s long-haul network.
The closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers has been in place since 2019, forcing flights on certain routes — including those to the U.S. — to take longer, more fuel-intensive paths via the Arabian Sea and Europe. This has affected scheduling flexibility and aircraft utilisation, making it harder to operate resource-intensive non-stop services.
The airline recently emerged from a voluntary “Safety Pause” in June 2025, which it had implemented after the AI171 accident to conduct enhanced inspections and accelerate maintenance programmes. CEO Campbell Wilson has said that all international operations are expected to be fully restored by October 1, 2025, and that safety audits conducted with India’s aviation regulator and IATA have returned normal findings.
The retrofit programme, launched last month, will see 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft undergo extensive cabin upgrades aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and service quality. However, it will keep several planes grounded until at least late 2026. This planned shortfall in available aircraft, combined with the longer flight paths required to bypass Pakistani airspace, has created operational constraints for Air India’s long-haul network.
The closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers has been in place since 2019, forcing flights on certain routes — including those to the U.S. — to take longer, more fuel-intensive paths via the Arabian Sea and Europe. This has affected scheduling flexibility and aircraft utilisation, making it harder to operate resource-intensive non-stop services.
What this means for passengers
If you have booked a non-stop Delhi–Washington Air India flight for travel after September 1, your ticket will no longer be valid for that route. The airline has confirmed it will directly contact all affected passengers. Travellers will be offered:- Rebooking: An alternative itinerary via Air India’s U.S. gateways — New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), or San Francisco (SFO) — in partnership with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, or Delta Air Lines. These arrangements will be on a single ticket with through-checked baggage.
- Full refund: Passengers who do not wish to travel on the revised routing can request a complete refund with no cancellation penalty.
How to proceed
- Wait for Air India’s official communication before making changes on your own.
- Check your registered email and phone for rebooking or refund options.
- If you booked through a travel agent or online portal, contact them for processing changes after Air India confirms your eligibility.
The airline recently emerged from a voluntary “Safety Pause” in June 2025, which it had implemented after the AI171 accident to conduct enhanced inspections and accelerate maintenance programmes. CEO Campbell Wilson has said that all international operations are expected to be fully restored by October 1, 2025, and that safety audits conducted with India’s aviation regulator and IATA have returned normal findings.
