Air India Delhi to Washington direct flight

The first non-stop Air India flight from Delhi to Washington DC took place on 7 July. The flight, AI 103, was accorded a water cannon salute and traditional gate-side prayer ceremony upon its landing. Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Singh Sarna, Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani and Commercial Director of Air India Pankaj Shrivastava were among passengers on the inaugural flight to Washington.

Air India has deployed its 238-seat Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to cater to the new direct service to the US, with eight seats in first class, 35 in business and 195 in economy class. The non-stop flight service is expected to bring in additional 30,000 leisure and business travellers and USD 30 million annually to the National Capital Region.