Air India to suspend Delhi-Washington flights; Here’s the reason behind it

Air India will discontinue Delhi to Washington DC flights from 1 September due to upgrades to its 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft and Pakistan’s airspace closure. Passengers who made reservations after 1 September can choose to schedule a different flight or receive a refund. However, they can still take flights to Washington DC via JFK, Newark, Chicago, or San Francisco using Air India’s interline partners. Air India has also halted international flights due to the Ahmedabad plane crash, which caused concerns about safety protocols and the Indian aviation system.

New Delhi: Delhi to Washington DC flights will no longer be operated by Air India. The service will be discontinued from 1 September. Air India actually made this decision for two reasons.

Air India's 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft are undergoing upgrades which will cause many of them to be out of commission for a while. This project will be carried out through the end of 2026. Meanwhile long-distance flights are having trouble because Pakistan's airspace is closed.

Two options will be presented to passengers who made reservations after 1 September. Additionally there will be the option to schedule a different flight and receive a complete refund.

Nonetheless travelers can still take flights to Washington DC via JFK (New York) Newark Chicago or San Francisco using Air Indias interline partners which include United Airlines Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Air India continues to offer nonstop service to six North American cities including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

The Ahmedabad plane crash has put Air India in the center of controversy. Numerous concerns have been raised by the incident regarding Air Indias safety protocols and the Indian aviation system. An aircraft traveling from Ahmedabad to London crashed on June 12 2025. 241 passengers and crew members were among the 279 people who perished on board.

Air India had halted its international flights for a while after the incident. Of the 100 anomalies in Air Indias operations discovered by the DGCA audit seven posed a significant security risk. Air India has admitted these mistakes and pledged to make amends. Air Indias Boeing 787 fleet underwent a thorough safety inspection ordered by the DGCA which included examinations of the GEnx engines and other critical components.

Air India was once regarded as the pride of the country but the accident has severely damaged its reputation. The accident was referred to as the most tragic event in the life of Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran.