Travelers using Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport face ongoing disappointment as of July 26, 2025, due to the continued absence of direct US flights. Despite strong demand from the Indian diaspora and business community, all flights from Hyderabad to the United States 🇺🇸 still require at least one stopover, leading to widespread passenger frustration.
The lack of nonstop service means that anyone flying from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to a US city must connect through another major hub. Most travelers stop in Delhi, Mumbai, or international cities like Dubai and Doha. This situation has not changed in 2025, even as calls for direct flights have grown louder. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the persistent gap in direct connectivity has become a major concern for both travelers and local businesses.
Current Flight Options and Passenger Experience
As of July 2025, no airline offers direct US flights from Hyderabad. Instead, carriers such as Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Lufthansa provide frequent one-stop connections to major US cities, including New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), Houston (IAH), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). Air India, for example, operates up to 16 daily connections between Hyderabad and New York, but every journey involves a stop—usually in Delhi or Mumbai.
Typical one-way economy fares from Hyderabad to US cities range from INR 33,794 (for Chicago) to INR 58,603 (for Newark), while business class fares to New York can reach INR 194,783. The total travel time, including layovers, usually falls between 19 and 24 hours. These long journeys, combined with the hassle of changing planes and clearing security at transit airports, add to passenger frustration.
In May 2025, security measures at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport tightened due to Indo-Pak tensions. This led to longer wait times and some flight delays, but did not result in any new direct US services. Passengers are now advised to arrive at least three hours before departure to allow for extra checks.
Background: Why the Demand for Direct Flights?
Hyderabad is a major technology and business center in India, with a large number of residents who have family, business, or educational ties to the United States 🇺🇸. The city’s IT and pharmaceutical sectors are especially connected to American companies. For more than a decade, business groups, the Telangana state government, and the US-India business community have pushed for direct US flights from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Despite repeated announcements and speculation—especially from Air India and United Airlines—no direct flights have been scheduled as of mid-2025. The lack of progress has left many travelers feeling ignored. One frequent flyer, Ramesh Kumar, shared, “Every time I travel to the US, I hope for a direct flight from Hyderabad. The extra hours and layovers make the trip much harder, especially for my elderly parents.”
Key Stakeholders and Their Positions
- GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL), which operates the airport, has long argued that direct US flights would benefit both passengers and the local economy. However, no new official statement about direct flights has been released in 2025.
- Air India continues to focus on direct US flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, leaving Hyderabad as a high-frequency, one-stop market.
- Telangana State Government officials have lobbied the Ministry of Civil Aviation and major airlines for direct US service, but no approval or launch has been announced.
- Passengers remain frustrated, citing longer travel times, missed connections, and the inconvenience of extra security and immigration checks at transit points.
Practical Effects on Travelers and the Economy
The absence of direct US flights from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport adds three to seven hours to total journey times. This increases the risk of missed connections and complicates travel for families, elderly passengers, and business travelers. Hyderabad’s lack of direct US connectivity is also seen as a disadvantage compared to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, which all have direct flights to the United States 🇺🇸.
Recent security concerns have made the travel experience even more challenging. In May 2025, Indo-Pak tensions led to stricter security at the airport, causing longer lines and delays. While these measures are important for safety, they have not helped the situation for US-bound travelers.
Step-by-Step: How to Book a US Flight from Hyderabad
- Search for Flights: Use airline websites or travel portals to find Hyderabad-US routes.
- Select Routing: All options require at least one stopover, usually in Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, Doha, or a European city.
- Book and Pay: Economy fares to the US in late 2025 range from INR 33,794 to INR 58,603.
- Arrive Early: Due to security, arrive at least three hours before departure.
- Transit Procedures: Clear security and sometimes immigration at the transit airport before boarding the US-bound flight.
- Arrival in the US: Follow standard US entry procedures at the first US airport.
Expert Views and Industry Analysis
Aviation experts point to several reasons for the lack of direct US flights from Hyderabad. These include aircraft range, slot constraints at airports, and questions about whether the market is large enough to support nonstop service. While Hyderabad’s demand is strong, it has not yet reached the level of Delhi or Mumbai.
The business community continues to argue that Hyderabad’s tech sector and strong US ties make it a good candidate for direct flights. However, Air India’s recent fleet expansion has not yet led to new Hyderabad-US routes, as the airline has focused on other cities.
Looking Ahead: Will Direct Flights Become a Reality?
Industry observers believe that direct Hyderabad-US flights could launch within the next two to three years, especially as airlines receive new long-range planes. However, as of July 2025, no official launch date or government approval has been announced. GHIAL and Telangana officials are expected to keep pushing for direct service, but until then, passenger frustration is likely to continue.
Where to Find More Information
For the latest updates or to share your feedback, you can contact Rajiv Gandhi International Airport through their official website. You can also reach out to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for policy updates and to express your interest in direct US flights.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Number of Direct US Flights from Hyderabad: 0
- One-Stop Flight Frequency: Up to 16 daily connections to New York (JFK) alone
- Typical Economy Fare (One-Way): INR 33,794–58,603
- Typical Flight Duration (One-Stop): 19–24 hours
- Passenger Volume (2024): Over 21 million at HYD, with US-bound traffic estimated at over 500,000 annually
Conclusion and Next Steps
The ongoing lack of direct US flights from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport continues to cause passenger frustration and affects the city’s global connections. Travelers, business leaders, and government officials all hope for change, but for now, one-stop journeys remain the only option. Stay informed through official channels and continue to voice your needs to help bring about direct US flights in the future.
Learn Today
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport → The main airport serving Hyderabad, India, lacking direct US flight connections as of 2025.
Direct US flights → Flights from Hyderabad to US cities without layovers or stopovers in other cities.
Stopover → A scheduled break between flights, requiring passengers to change planes during their journey.
Air India → India’s national airline operating frequent one-stop flights between Hyderabad and US cities.
Transit procedures → Security and immigration checks passengers undergo at intermediate airports before continuing their journey.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport still lacks direct US flights in 2025, forcing stopovers that extend journeys up to 24 hours, frustrating travelers and businesses despite high demand.
— By VisaVerge.com
