Air India has announced that it will suspend its nonstop services between Delhi and Washington, D.C., effective September 1, 2025. The decision comes as part of a broader operational realignment, driven by multiple factors including a major fleet retrofit programme and ongoing airspace restrictions over Pakistan.
According to the airline, 26 of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft will undergo an extensive $400 million retrofit to upgrade cabins, avionics, and other critical systems. This programme, aimed at enhancing passenger experience and improving aircraft reliability, will keep multiple planes out of service until at least the end of 2026.
The suspension also comes in the wake of operational complexities caused by the continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace, which has forced longer routes for long-haul flights, increasing fuel consumption and impacting schedules.
This announcement follows the tragic June 12 crash of an Air India 787-8 bound for London, which claimed the lives of nearly all passengers and crew, as well as people on the ground. The incident has prompted thorough safety checks across the Dreamliner fleet.
Passengers with bookings on the Delhi–Washington route beyond September 1 will be contacted by Air India for alternative arrangements, including rebooking via one-stop connections through New York, Newark, Chicago, or San Francisco with partner airlines, or full refunds.
Despite this suspension, Air India will continue to operate nonstop flights between India and six North American destinations, including Toronto and Vancouver. The Tata Group-owned carrier says the temporary route cut is essential to maintain the “reliability and integrity” of its global network while preparing for a stronger, more modern fleet in the coming years.