Air India is set to suspend its nonstop flights between Delhi and Washington, D.C., starting September 1, 2025. This decision is attributed to operational reasons, primarily stemming from a shortage of wide-body aircraft caused by the ongoing retrofitting of Air India's Boeing 787-8 fleet and the continued closure of Pakistani airspace.

The airline has commenced an extensive retrofit program on 26 of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft to significantly enhance customer experience. This initiative, while aimed at providing a world-class flying experience and improving operational reliability, requires multiple aircraft to be out of service simultaneously, leading to a shortfall in available planes. Air India anticipates that this retrofitting program will continue until at least the end of 2026. The airline now hopes to complete the task by Oct 2028, about a year more than the five-year plan announced earlier.

Adding to the operational challenges is the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, which forces airlines to take longer routes, increasing both flight times and operational complexity. These longer routes exacerbate the impact of the aircraft shortage, making the Delhi-Washington, D.C. route unsustainable for the time being.

Air India has stated that passengers holding confirmed bookings for travel to or from Washington, D.C., after September 1, 2025, will be offered alternative travel arrangements. These options include rebooking on other available flights or receiving full refunds, depending on the passenger's preference. The airline is proactively contacting affected customers to facilitate these arrangements.

Despite the suspension of the direct Delhi-Washington, D.C. flights, Air India will continue to provide options for passengers to reach Washington, D.C., via one-stop flights through its interline partners. These connections will be available through four U.S. gateways: New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, and San Francisco. Air India's partners, including Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, will ensure that passengers can travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to their final destination.

Air India has also confirmed that it will maintain its nonstop flights between India and six other destinations in North America, including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. This ensures continued connectivity to key North American cities despite the temporary suspension of the Delhi-Washington, D.C. route.