(DELHI) Air India will add 174 new weekly flights in its Winter 2025–26 schedule, starting October 26, 2025, with a sharp push on domestic links and short‑haul international routes in Asia plus a fresh boost on the Delhi–London trunk. The expansion mixes new city‑pairs with higher frequencies on busy routes, aiming to meet peak‑season demand and give travelers more choice on times, fares, and connections.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this is the largest network ramp‑up the flag carrier has announced in recent years, reflecting strong travel demand into and within India and steady traffic to the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia.
UK headline: Delhi–London lifts and premium product
The headline move is in the UK market. Air India will raise Delhi–London Heathrow service from 24 to 28 weekly flights—four daily rotations—effective October 26, 2025. The route will be flown by a mix of Airbus A350‑900 and Boeing 787‑9 aircraft, adding 1,196 seats each way per week.
- The carrier remains the largest operator between India and the UK, now mounting 61 weekly flights across India–UK markets.
- All Delhi–London flights will offer complimentary WiFi, an updated entertainment system, and premium amenities in the front cabins, reinforcing the premium push of Air India’s widebody refresh.
International enhancements and UK restarts
Air India’s long‑haul footprint continues to evolve. Some North America routes will see small frequency or aircraft changes this winter, but those adjustments are separate from the 174 new weekly flights, which focus on domestic and short‑haul sectors.
UK network calibrations:
– Delhi–London (Heathrow): 28 weekly from October 26, 2025 (four daily; A350‑900 and 787‑9).
– Mumbai–London (Heathrow): 14 weekly, steady.
– Bengaluru–London (Heathrow): 7 weekly, restored.
– Ahmedabad–London (Gatwick): 3 weekly, returns to Gatwick.
– Amritsar–London (Gatwick): 3 weekly, restored.
– Delhi–Birmingham: 3 weekly, restored.
– Amritsar–Birmingham: 3 weekly, continues.
Southeast Asia increases:
– Delhi–Kuala Lumpur: 10 weekly from November 15, 2025.
– Delhi–Denpasar (Bali): 10 weekly from December 1, 2025.
For UK travel, visa timing is a key planning point. The British government advises visitors to apply well ahead of travel; details on visa types, documents, and processing windows are available on the official UK site for the Standard Visitor visa at https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor. Using official guidance helps set realistic timelines before booking peak‑season flights.
Domestic build‑out for the winter rush
The domestic schedule, effective October 26, 2025, adds frequency where demand peaks and opens new links from both Delhi and Mumbai. Most added capacity will be operated by single‑aisle A320 Family aircraft that have been newly retrofitted to feature Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.
Benefits for passengers:
– More time‑of‑day options (morning and late‑evening) for international connections.
– Better choices for business travelers (lie‑flat or wider seats on some domestic sectors).
– Premium Economy as a middle ground for families seeking extra comfort.
Rajasthan — tourism and small business focus
- Delhi–Jaipur: new route, 3x daily.
- Delhi–Jaisalmer: new route, 2x daily.
- Delhi–Udaipur: increased to 3x daily.
- Mumbai–Jaipur: increased to 4x daily.
- Mumbai–Udaipur: increased to 4x daily.
- Mumbai–Jodhpur: increased to 2x daily.
Madhya Pradesh — day trips and connections
- Delhi–Indore: increased to 4x daily.
- Delhi–Bhopal: increased to 3x daily.
- Mumbai–Indore: increased to 2x daily.
Gujarat — trade and family travel
- Mumbai–Bhuj: increased to 2x daily.
- Delhi–Rajkot: increased to 2x daily.
Other domestic increases
- Delhi–Varanasi, Delhi–Raipur: increased to 3x daily.
- Delhi–Port Blair, Delhi–Aurangabad, Delhi–Guwahati, Delhi–Nagpur: increased to 2x daily.
- Mumbai–Dehradun, Mumbai–Patna, Mumbai–Amritsar: increased to 2x daily.
These changes aim to:
– Reduce long layovers and last‑mile travel times to smaller cities.
– Spread demand across the day to help keep fares more stable.
– Improve same‑day connections from international arrivals into home‑town airports.
Air India Express and Navi Mumbai International Airport
Air India Express, the group’s low‑cost arm, will launch operations at the new Navi Mumbai International Airport with 20 daily flights to 15 cities initially, scaling to 60 daily flights by Winter 2026.
- This should relieve pressure at Mumbai’s main airport.
- It widens choice for price‑sensitive flyers and reduces drive times for passengers near the eastern metro region.
Onboard product and service notes
- Most increased frequencies will use updated A320 Family jets with three cabins (Business, Premium Economy, Economy).
- Delhi–London flights retain the full suite of onboard upgrades: free WiFi, newer entertainment screens, and higher‑end food and drink in premium cabins.
- The product push supports the four‑daily Delhi–Heathrow schedule and targets corporate, diaspora, student, and frequent travelers who value stable schedules and consistent cabin standards.
Operational context and traveler advice
The timing of the Winter 2025–26 buildup matters. October through early January is one of India’s busiest travel periods due to festivals, weddings, and school breaks. Internationally, Christmas and New Year lift demand to and from the UK and Southeast Asia.
- By adding seats, Air India aims to reduce sold‑out flights and last‑minute fare spikes.
- Visa and entry rules vary by destination; increased rotations help travelers align flights with consular appointments, work start dates, and university orientations.
Air India notes that a handful of long‑haul routes, including Delhi–Chicago and Delhi–New York JFK, will see minor frequency or aircraft changes this winter. These shifts are not part of the 174 new weekly flights, which focus on domestic and short‑haul growth. Passengers on transatlantic routes should review bookings for any time changes, especially if they have tight domestic connections.
For UK‑bound travelers planning family visits, university starts, or short business trips:
– Plan ahead even with four daily Delhi–Heathrow flights—peak weeks can still sell out.
– Consider checking fares early, holding refundable tickets when visa timing is uncertain, and choosing itineraries with reasonable connection buffers.
Strategic view: dual hubs and winter challenges
The expansion leans on India’s dual‑hub system:
– Delhi feeds North India and international connections to Europe and Southeast Asia.
– Mumbai spreads traffic across Western India and opens budget options via the new Navi Mumbai gateway.
Raising frequency at both hubs aims to:
– Make onward connections more reliable.
– Reduce missed‑flight risk during winter weather.
– Support migrant workers and students returning home by increasing late‑evening and early‑morning options.
Time‑sensitive dates and key takeaways
- Effective October 26, 2025: Winter schedule starts; Delhi–London up to 28 weekly; many domestic increases begin.
- Effective November 15, 2025: Delhi–Kuala Lumpur rises to 10 weekly.
- Effective December 1, 2025: Delhi–Denpasar (Bali) rises to 10 weekly.
Air India’s message: more flights on the routes Indians use most, at the times they need them most. With retrofitted cabins on the A320 Family and premium perks on the Delhi–London corridor, the airline aims to meet seasonal demand while keeping service quality front and center.
The real test will come in December, when holiday peaks and fog season challenge crews, aircraft schedules, and airport operations across North India. If the plan holds, passengers should see better on‑time options—and fewer “no seats left” screens—through the heart of winter.
This Article in a Nutshell
Air India will add 174 new weekly flights in its Winter 2025–26 schedule beginning October 26, 2025, prioritizing domestic frequency increases and short‑haul international growth across Southeast Asia and the UK. The headline change raises Delhi–London Heathrow to 28 weekly flights using Airbus A350‑900 and Boeing 787‑9 aircraft, adding 1,196 seats each way per week. Key international boosts include Delhi–Kuala Lumpur (10 weekly from Nov 15) and Delhi–Denpasar (10 weekly from Dec 1). Domestic expansions deploy retrofitted A320 Family jets offering Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, increasing frequencies to many secondary cities to ease peak‑season demand. Air India Express will begin operations at the new Navi Mumbai International Airport with 20 daily flights initially, scaling to 60 by Winter 2026. The program aims to reduce sold‑out flights, improve same‑day connections, and support travelers during a busy October–January period, while a few long‑haul routes see separate minor adjustments.
