India’s national carrier is suspending one of its routes to a major U.S. city.
Air India said on Monday that it would suspend its route from Delhi to Washington, D.C., effective September 1, amid “increased operational complexity.”
The suspension is due in part to a shortage of aircraft as the airline begins to update its fleet. Air India began retrofitting 26 of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner planes in July. The retrofit program means that multiple 787-8 planes will be out of commission for renovations at any given time, through the end of 2026. Air India is planning extensive upgrades to the jets to provide a more premium onboard experience for passengers.
Another factor for the airline’s long-haul routes is the continued closure of airspace over Pakistan to Indian-operated flights. The closure means longer flight routings for Air India’s planes, complicating how the carrier can deploy its fleet. Suspending the route to D.C. will “ensure the reliability and integrity of Air India’s overall route network,” the carrier said.
The airline will contact any travelers booked on Air India flights to Washington, D.C., past September 1, 2025, and offer them the option to rebook on a new flight or receive a full refund.
Air India will continue to operate flights to its four other gateways in the U.S., including New York (JFK), Newark (EWR)—where flight limitations remain in place—Chicago (ORD), and San Francisco (SFO). The airline also serves two destinations in Canada, Vancouver (YVR) and Toronto (YYZ).
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