After launching its new Airbus A350-900s on short-haul flights to Dubai and announcing plans to fly them to London later this year, Air India now plans to launch its newest aircraft on ultra-long-haul routes to North America.

As of November 1, 2024, Air India will fly its A350-900s between Delhi and New York (JFK), with future plans to fly to Newark (EWR) starting in 2025.  

Air India’s First Ultra-Long-Haul Routes for the A350-900

Air India will launch the new Airbus A350-900s on its first ultra-long-haul international route later this year, and then on a second one beginning in 2025.

The airline made the initial announcement on X (formerly Twitter) on July 22, 2024.

Our brand-new A350s are getting ready to take off to the USA.

Discover & experience our new Premium Economy for the first time on our flights to New York JFK and Newark.
Starting November 1, 2024 between DEL ⇔ JFK, and from January 2, 2025 between DEL ⇔ EWR.#FlyAI #AirIndia… pic.twitter.com/AgBr4nXHqa

— Air India (@airindia) July 22, 2024

Air India plans to fly the A350s to London starting in September 2024, at which point the airline will also debut its revamped soft product for the first time.

Then, beginning November 1, 2024, the A350 will fly between Delhi (DEL) and New York (JFK) with the following flight times:

• AI101, Delhi (DEL) to New York (JFK), departing 2:05am and arriving 7:55am
• AI102, New York (JFK) to Delhi (DEL), departing 1:30pm and arriving 12:45pm the following day

The outbound flights from Delhi are set to run 15 hours 20 minutes, while the flights from New York (JFK) to Delhi are blocked at 13 hours 45 minutes.

Then, beginning January 2, 2025, Air India will launch the A350 on a second North American route, connecting Delhi (DEL) with Newark (EWR) with the following flight times:

• AI105, Delhi (DEL) to Newark (EWR), departing 1:50am and arriving 6:55am
• AI106, Newark (EWR) to Delhi (DEL), departing 11:15pm and arriving 11:30am the following day

The flight from Delhi to Newark is scheduled for 15 hours 35 minutes, while the flight from Newark to Delhi is set to run 13 hours 45 minutes.

The A350s feature a three-cabin configuration, with economy, premium economy, and business class seats. 

The flights are bookable across Air India’s channels, and are also available for booking on points.

How to Book Air India A350 Business Class on Points

The best way for North Americans to redeem points for a seat on Air India’s newest planes is with Air Canada’s Aeroplan.

Aeroplan points can easily be earned with one of the many co-branded credit cards, or by earning American Express Membership Rewards points and transferring them to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.

Aeroplan Credit Cards

Credit Card	Best Offer	Value
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card 85,000 Aeroplan points $599 annual fee	85,000 Aeroplan points	$858	Apply Now
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Up to 80,000 Aeroplan points† $599 annual fee	Up to 80,000 Aeroplan points†	$766	Apply Now
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† $139 annual fee	Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points†	$735	Apply Now
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† First Year Free	Up to 50,000 Aeroplan points†	$683	Apply Now
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card 60,000 Aeroplan points $599 annual fee	60,000 Aeroplan points	$634	Apply Now
American Express Aeroplan Card American Express Aeroplan Card 50,000 Aeroplan points $120 annual fee	50,000 Aeroplan points	$573	Apply Now

If you’re looking to book Air India flights between North America and India with Aeroplan points, you’ll need to consult the “Between North America and Atlantic zones” section of the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart.

According to Great Circle Mapper, a one-way flight between Delhi and New York (JFK) measures 7,318 miles.

This corresponds to the third distance band on the chart for flights measuring between 6,001 and 8,000 miles.

In economy, you can expect to pay 55,500 Aeroplan points, or 90,000 points in business class for a flight between Delhi and New York (JFK). Indeed, these prices are what we find on the Aeroplan website.

As it stands, award availability through Aeroplan looks to be good throughout the schedule.

If you have a trip planned to India and want to benefit from a direct or relatively direct routing through New York, be sure to consider these as an option for flights as of November 1, 2024, and beyond.

Conclusion

Beginning in November 2024, Air India will launch its new Airbus A350-900s on ultra-long-haul routes to North America for the first time.

This announcement marks another exciting step forward for the airline, which is in the process of transforming itself.

Flights on the A350 are available for booking throughout the schedule, including through loyalty programs.