DELHI — Air India is strengthening its transcontinental footprint with the addition of a fourth daily service between Delhi and London Heathrow during the Northern Winter 2025/26 season, a move that underscores the Tata Group-owned carrier’s ambitions to regain market share on one of its most lucrative international routes.
The expanded schedule will run from October 26, 2025, through March 28, 2026, and positions Air India as the largest Indian carrier operating into the United Kingdom’s busiest airport. The airline had previously filed plans for three daily flights but has now increased frequencies to four, reflecting sustained demand on the India–UK corridor.
Modern Fleet Mix
The route will be operated with a combination of the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, aircraft that form the backbone of Air India’s long-haul strategy. Two of the flights will be served by the newly inducted A350-900, which features redesigned premium cabins and enhanced fuel efficiency. The remaining two frequencies will be flown with the Boeing 787-9, a proven performer in the airline’s international network.
This dual deployment highlights the airline’s effort to balance efficiency with passenger experience. “The A350-900 is Air India’s newest long-haul aircraft type, featuring upgraded cabins, while the 787-9 remains a core part of its international fleet,” the airline said.
Revised Timetable
The updated schedule provides travelers with a wide spread of departure and arrival times, catering to both business and leisure traffic:
Delhi–London Heathrow
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AI161: DEL 0125 – 0635 LHR | A350-900 | Daily
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AI111: DEL 0615 – 1130 LHR | A350-900 | Daily
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AI2017: DEL 1410 – 1925 LHR | Boeing 787-9 | Daily
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AI2015: DEL 1515 – 2030 LHR | Boeing 787-9 | Daily
London Heathrow–Delhi
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AI162: LHR 0845 – 2345 DEL | A350-900 | Daily
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AI112: LHR 1300 – 0400+1 DEL | A350-900 | Daily
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AI2018: LHR 2105 – 1205+1 DEL | Boeing 787-9 | Daily
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AI2016: LHR 2200 – 1300+1 DEL | Boeing 787-9 | Daily
Strategic Importance
The Delhi–London Heathrow route is among Air India’s most strategically significant, connecting two global hubs with heavy volumes of corporate travelers, international students, and those visiting friends and relatives. London also serves as a vital European gateway for Indian travelers.
By ramping up to four daily flights, Air India is boosting both passenger and cargo capacity on the corridor, supporting robust trade and tourism flows between the two countries. The airline’s timing is also strategic, as competition remains intense. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both operate multiple frequencies on the same sector, and Air India’s expanded presence places it in a stronger position to capture market share.
Industry observers note that cargo uplift is a growing factor on the route. By adding a fourth service, Air India gains additional belly-hold space, which can be used to transport goods between India and the UK — a market that has seen resilient growth even during periods of softer passenger demand.
Balancing Network Adjustments
The Heathrow expansion comes amid a broader recalibration of Air India’s global network for the upcoming winter season. While Delhi–London is being boosted, several intercontinental routes are facing frequency reductions.
Flights from Delhi to Chicago O’Hare will drop from daily to four weekly, while Delhi–Newark and Delhi–New York JFK each see slight reductions. Services from Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Mumbai to certain European gateways are also trimmed, aligning with seasonal demand patterns.
At the same time, the airline is making aircraft swaps to better match capacity with route performance. For example, Delhi–Denpasar will shift from the Boeing 787-9 to the smaller Airbus A321neo, while Mumbai–Frankfurt will move from the 787-9 to the 787-8.
Not all changes involve cutbacks. Air India is expanding its Mumbai–Mauritius service from five to seven weekly flights, underscoring the importance of regional markets in its growth strategy.
Competitive Landscape
The India–UK aviation market is among the busiest international corridors for Indian carriers, and Heathrow ranks as the world’s second-busiest international airport. With the additional daily service, Air India is signaling its intent to solidify a leadership role on this vital link.
By offering more frequencies and diverse departure times, the carrier is better positioned to attract premium passengers, improve onward connectivity, and leverage its renewed fleet. The move also aligns with Air India’s broader transformation under Tata Group ownership, which has emphasized modernization, operational efficiency, and enhanced passenger experience.
As the airline prepares for another winter season, the fourth daily Delhi–Heathrow service represents not only a response to market demand but also a strategic statement of intent in one of the most contested long-haul markets in aviation.
