Passengers looking to fly directly from Delhi, India to the U.S. Capitol will want to book a flight with an airline aside from Air India.
Air India announced Aug. 11, 2025 that it would be suspending direct flights to Washington DC.
Airplane Upgrade and Airspace Closure to Blame
The airline "primarily" blamed an upgrade program on its fleet of 26 Boeing 787-8 jets that began in July for the delay. But Air India also pointed to the fact that Pakistan's airspace has been continually closed to Indian flights.
The suspension is set to begin Sept. 1, 2025, and will likely end at the earliest by the end of 2026, according to the company's official announcement.
Air India customers who have already booked direct flights to DC for after the suspension date will be offered alternative travel arrangements, which could include booking other flights or full refunds.
The company's fleet of 787-8s is undergoing an upgrade program to improve the "customer experience," and "necessitates a prolonged unavailability of multiple aircraft at any given time until at least end of 2026."
The Pakistan airspace closure to Indian flights is a little more complicated.
More Details on the Airspace Closure
The two countries have been at odds for decades, but the latest conflict began on April 22, 2025 with a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India that killed 26. India the next day in response suspended a treaty it had signed with Pakistan and shutdown a main land border crossing between the two countries, according to The Hindu.
Pakistan April 24 then closed its airspace to Indian flights, and India closed its airspace to Pakistani flights on April 30. Both countries have extended the airspace closures since then.
Air India is expected to face around $600 million in extra costs because of the airspace closure, and has asked the Indian government for financial assistance while the conflict continues, according to The Independent.
Related: Alaska Airlines Cuts 4 Routes in Major Shakeup
Major Airline Announces Temporary Stop on Direct Flights From Delhi to Washington DC first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 11, 2025
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