Diaspora disappointed as Air India ends Delhi–Washington non-stop flights

New India Abroad spoke to Indians in the US, and the response has been one of disappointment and dismay!

A file photo of an Air India aircraft. / Unsplash

Air India’s decision to cancel its well-loved non-stop service between New Delhi and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) starting Sept.1, 2025, has sent a wave of disappointment and frustration through the Indian American community. The airline mentioned that the suspension was due to a combination of operational challenges, leaving many travelers disheartened. New India abroad spoke to some of them to learn about their reactions. This is what they had to say.

Also read: Air India to drop Delhi–Washington non-stop flights amid fleet shortage, airspace closure

For the Indian-American community, particularly those in the D.C. metropolitan area who rely on this Air India direct connection, the news has been disheartening. This non-stop flight had become an important link for family visits, business travel, and urgent personal matters. The sentiment across social media is one of agitation and disappointment, especially for those who frequently fly Air India.

One upset flyer from Pune, who wanted to remain anonymous, underscored the emotional toll of the cancellation. “I divide my time between Washington, D.C., and Pune, and have relied on this direct flight for decades. While my job and my husband are in D.C., my parents and entire family are in India. I have been an Air India loyalist for years. Because of this cancellation, going forward, I’ll have to take the United Airlines direct flight or flights with at least two connections to reach Pune. This is very disheartening, and I’m very disappointed in Air India. I was hoping that Air India would be adding more direct flights from the United States to India in 2025 and 2026, but the opposite seems to be happening.”

Another Washington D.C. based Indian American, Tanvi Shah, shared: “I live in D.C. but travel to New Delhi often to visit my elderly grandparents. I decided to be based in D.C. because of the easy direct flight to India. In the back of my mind, I’m always worried about my grandparents' health and wanted to make sure that I can easily travel to India on a moment’s notice. But now, this cancellation has made me rethink my decision. Just having the United Airlines direct flight is not enough. I’m considering looking for jobs in New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.”

Mumbai-based Rohit Mehta, a management consultant, added: “I visit Washington D.C. often for work meetings and conferences and have taken this Air India direct flight several times. This cancellation is going to adversely affect many Indians wanting to travel to D.C. for business purposes or to visit family.”

In response to the cancellation, Air India has shared that travelers with bookings after Sept.1 will be contacted and offered alternative travel arrangements, including rebooking on one-stop flights or full refunds.

The airline will facilitate connections to Washington, D.C., through its other U.S. gateways—New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), and San Francisco (SFO)—in partnership with airlines such as Alaska, United, and Delta. According to the airline, affected passengers will be able to travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to their final destination.

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