IndiGo, Delta, Air France-KLM Expand Codeshares Linking India Globally

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Key Takeaways

• IndiGo partners with Delta for first US codeshare, boosting access to 30+ Indian cities on single tickets.
• Delta launches nonstop Atlanta-New Delhi flights; Air India increases daily Delhi-Haneda flights from June 15, 2025.
• India’s aviation market valued at $14.47B in 2024, expected to triple by 2033 with 7% passenger growth in 2025.

Aviation Giants Expand India–US–Europe–Japan Connections: What Travelers Need to Know

In June 2025, the world’s biggest airlines made major moves to connect India 🇮🇳 with the United States 🇺🇸, Europe, and Japan 🇯🇵. IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air India, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic announced a new partnership, promising more flights, easier bookings, and better connections for travelers. This comes as India’s aviation market grows at record speed, with more people flying for work, study, and family visits than ever before.

IndiGo, Delta, Air France-KLM Expand Codeshares Linking India Globally

Let’s break down what these changes mean, how they affect travelers, and what to expect as India’s skies get busier.

What’s Happening: The Big Changes in 2025

Who: IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air India, Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and All Nippon Airways (ANA)
What: New partnerships, expanded codeshare agreements, and more direct flights
When: Announced June 1, 2025, with new services and codeshares rolling out from March to June 2025
Where: Major routes between India 🇮🇳, the United States 🇺🇸, Europe, and Japan 🇯🇵
Why: To meet rising demand for travel, make journeys smoother, and capture a share of India’s booming aviation market
How: By increasing flight frequencies, adding new direct routes, and letting passengers book single tickets across multiple airlines

Key Announcements and New Routes

IndiGo’s First US Codeshare: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, will launch its first codeshare with Delta Air Lines. This means travelers can book flights from the US to India on one ticket, connecting easily to over 30 Indian cities.
Delta Air Lines Non-Stop to India: Delta Air Lines will start non-stop flights from Atlanta to New Delhi, making it easier for US travelers to reach India without layovers.
Air India Expands to Japan: Air India will increase its Delhi–Tokyo Haneda service from four times a week to daily flights starting June 15, 2025. This follows Air India’s move from Narita to Haneda Airport, which is closer to central Tokyo.
Air India–ANA Codeshare: Air India and ANA have expanded their codeshare agreement. Now, travelers can book single tickets between India and six major Japanese cities, with smooth connections in both countries.
More Codeshares with Europe: IndiGo already has codeshares with Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, giving travelers more options to reach Europe from India.

What Is a Codeshare and Why Does It Matter?

A codeshare is when two or more airlines share the same flight. For travelers, this means:

You can book a trip on one airline’s website, even if part of your journey is on another airline.
Your baggage is checked through to your final destination.
You get one ticket and don’t have to re-check bags or go through extra security during layovers.
You can earn frequent flyer points and enjoy benefits like lounge access if you’re a premium traveler.

For example, you could book a flight from Atlanta to Chennai on Delta Air Lines’ website. The first leg is on Delta to New Delhi, and the second leg is on IndiGo to Chennai. But you only need one ticket, and your bags go all the way.

Why Now? India’s Aviation Market Is Booming

India’s aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Here’s why airlines are racing to add flights and partnerships:

Market Size: In 2024, India’s aviation market was worth $14.47 billion. By 2033, it’s expected to reach $40.81 billion, growing at over 12% each year.
More Passengers: Air passenger traffic is expected to rise by 7% in 2025 alone.
Big Aircraft Orders: Air India has ordered 570 new planes since 2023. IndiGo has over 900 Airbus aircraft on order, including 60 widebody A350s for long-distance flights.
Rising Middle Class: More Indians can afford to fly for business, education, and family visits.
Government Support: Programs like UDAN are making it easier to connect smaller cities by air.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these factors are driving airlines to form new partnerships and expand their networks to capture the growing demand.

How the New Partnerships Work

Booking a Codeshare Flight: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Cities: Start by picking your starting city and destination, such as Atlanta to Hyderabad or Mumbai to Los Angeles.
Look for Codeshare Flights: On the airline’s website or app, look for flights marked with the partner airline’s code (for example, AI for Air India, NH for ANA, DL for Delta).
Book One Ticket: Complete your booking on one website. Your baggage will be checked through to your final stop.
Check-In: Use the check-in counters or online system of the airline operating your first flight.
Seamless Transfers: For connecting flights, you usually stay in the same terminal, making transfers easier.

What’s New for Travelers

Easier Booking: No need to buy separate tickets for each airline.
More Choices: More flights and better connections, especially to smaller cities in India and Japan.
Better Benefits: Premium travelers get lounge access, priority boarding, and other perks.
Shorter Travel Times: Air India’s move to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport cuts travel time to central Tokyo.

Who Benefits from These Changes?

Passengers

Indian Diaspora: Easier travel for families visiting India from the US, Canada 🇨🇦, Europe, and Japan.
Students: More direct routes and smoother connections for those studying abroad.
Business Travelers: Daily flights and codeshares mean less waiting and more flexibility.
Tourists: Japan saw 233,000 Indian visitors in 2024, up 40% from the year before. More flights mean easier vacations.

Airlines

IndiGo: Gains access to US and European markets through codeshares, without flying its own planes there (yet).
Delta Air Lines: Strengthens its presence in the India–US corridor, a key market as transatlantic demand slows.
Air India: Expands its reach in Japan and connects more Indian cities to the world.
ANA, Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic: Tap into India’s growing market and offer more options to their customers.

Governments and Regulators

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Oversees these partnerships and ensures safety and fair competition. For official information, visit the DGCA website.
Foreign Governments: Work with India to set rules on how many flights and seats foreign airlines can offer.

What Are the Rules? Bilateral Agreements and Restrictions

Even with all these new flights, there are still limits. India 🇮🇳 and other countries have bilateral agreements—official deals that set the number of flights and seats foreign airlines can offer. This means:

Foreign airlines can’t add unlimited flights to India.
Airlines like Emirates and Delta want more freedom to add flights, but need government approval.
Industry leaders, like Emirates President Tim Clark, are calling for India to relax these rules to match its global ambitions.

What Do Industry Leaders Say?

Nipun Aggarwal, Air India: “Expanding our Delhi-Tokyo Haneda service to daily flights reflects Air India’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for travel between India and Japan… Our deepened partnership with ANA opens up Japan like never before for our guests.”
Katsuya Goto, ANA: “This expansion… will provide customers with more opportunities and seamless connections, delivering a satisfying experience for premium customers in particular.”
Tim Clark, Emirates: Urges India to open up its aviation sector further to unlock more growth.
Pieter Elbers, IndiGo: Stresses IndiGo’s strategy of building partnerships with global airlines to expand its reach.

The Numbers: Growth by the Data

India’s Aviation Market: $14.47 billion in 2024, expected to triple by 2033.
Passenger Growth: 7% increase in 2025.
Aircraft Orders: Air India (570 planes), IndiGo (900+ planes, including 60 A350s).
Japan Tourism: 233,000 Indian visitors in 2024, up 40% from 2023.
Flight Schedules: Air India’s Delhi–Tokyo Haneda flights go daily from June 15, 2025, using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.

How Does This Affect Immigration and Travel?

For Immigrants and Families

Easier Family Visits: More flights and better connections mean families can visit each other more often, with less hassle.
Simpler Student Travel: Indian students in the US, Europe, and Japan can book single tickets and enjoy smoother journeys.
Work Opportunities: Business travelers and skilled workers benefit from more direct flights and flexible schedules.

For Employers and Businesses

Faster Business Trips: Daily flights and codeshares allow for quick business travel between India and major global cities.
Better Access to Talent: Companies can recruit from a wider pool, knowing travel is easier and more reliable.

For Tourists

More Vacation Choices: With more flights and easier bookings, tourists can explore new destinations in India, Japan, the US, and Europe.
Shorter Layovers: Direct flights and better connections mean less time waiting in airports.

How to Book and What to Watch For

When booking a codeshare flight, keep these tips in mind:

Check the Operating Carrier: Even if you book on one airline’s website, your flight may be operated by a partner. Check which airline runs each leg of your trip.
Baggage Rules: Baggage limits may differ between airlines. Confirm before you pack.
Frequent Flyer Points: Make sure your loyalty program is linked to the right airline.
Visa Requirements: Each country has its own visa rules. Check official government websites for the latest information. For US travel, visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa page.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for India’s Aviation Market?

More Partnerships and Flights

Expect more US, European, and Japanese airlines to team up with Indian carriers as demand grows.
New widebody planes will allow for more direct long-haul flights, including possible non-stop India–US flights by IndiGo after 2027.

Pressure for Policy Change

Airlines and industry experts are urging Indian regulators to relax bilateral restrictions, which could lead to even more flights and choices for travelers.

Market Growth Continues

India’s aviation market is set to triple in value by 2033, driven by regional connections and international expansion.

Official Contacts and Resources

For more information or to book flights, visit:

Final Takeaways

The new partnerships between IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air India, and other global carriers are reshaping how people travel between India, the United States, Europe, and Japan. With more flights, easier bookings, and better connections, travelers have more choices than ever before. While some rules still limit how many flights foreign airlines can offer, the trend is clear: India’s aviation market is growing fast, and airlines are racing to keep up.

Whether you’re a student, business traveler, tourist, or part of the Indian diaspora, these changes make it easier to stay connected with the world. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the future of flying to and from India looks brighter, busier, and more connected than ever.

For the latest updates and to book your next trip, check with your preferred airline or visit the DGCA’s official website for regulatory information.

Learn Today

Codeshare → An agreement where two airlines sell seats on the same flight under their own flight numbers.
Non-stop Flight → A direct flight between two destinations without layovers or stops.
Bilateral Agreement → Official agreements between countries regulating aviation routes and flight capacities.
Frequent Flyer Points → Rewards earned by passengers for flying, redeemable for benefits like upgrades and lounge access.
Widebody Aircraft → Large airplane with two aisles, capable of carrying more passengers on long-haul routes.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, major airlines IndiGo, Delta, Air India, and others expanded India-US-Europe-Japan flights. Codeshare agreements ease bookings and travel. Passenger growth and aircraft orders indicate booming Indian aviation. New routes include nonstop US-India flights and daily Japan service. This expansion benefits tourists, students, business travelers, and the Indian diaspora significantly.
— By VisaVerge.com