Air India Launches Direct Flights Between Delhi and Osaka
From 2 February 2027, the airline will operate four weekly Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner services, becoming the sole direct carrier between Delhi and Japan's Kansai gateway.
New Delhi–Osaka Direct Service
Air India will commence non-stop flights between Delhi and Osaka from 2 February 2027. The carrier plans to operate four weekly services using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, establishing itself as the only airline offering direct connectivity on this route.
This new service, announced on 15 October by Air India, will deploy aircraft configured with 18 Business Class lie-flat seats and 241 Economy Class seats, accommodating 259 passengers per flight. Flights from Delhi (AI360) will depart at 10:50pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Osaka at 9:50am the following morning.
Return flights (AI359) will leave Osaka at 11:50am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Delhi by 6:20pm local time on the same day.
Expanding Air India's Japan Network
The addition of Osaka marks Air India's second destination in Japan, complementing its existing services to Tokyo Haneda. The airline currently maintains daily flights between Delhi and Tokyo, alongside four weekly operations connecting Mumbai with Tokyo.
By integrating Osaka into its network, Air India increases its presence in a key Asian travel market and provides travellers with an alternative entry point into Japan, beyond the primary hub of Tokyo. This expansion reflects the airline's strategy to strengthen its footprint in a region experiencing consistent growth in passenger demand.
Rising Demand for Japan Travel
This route launch comes as Japan observes a significant increase in visitors from India. Air India reported that over 315,000 Indian nationals travelled to Japan in 2025, representing a 35% rise from the preceding year and nearly an 80% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures.
This surge in interest is attributed to expanding tourism, stronger business connections, and a growing desire among Indian travellers to explore destinations beyond Tokyo. The broader trend sees airlines across Asia increasing flight capacities to Japan, as visitor numbers continue their recovery and demand diversifies beyond traditional gateways.
Osaka's Growing Appeal for Travellers
While Tokyo remains Japan's principal international gateway, Osaka has emerged as one of the country's fastest-growing visitor destinations, according to the airline. The city serves as the entry point to the Kansai region, offering convenient access to cultural centres like Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.
Osaka itself attracts visitors with its culinary scene, retail offerings, and cultural sites. Travel industry data indicates a sharp increase in searches for Osaka from India, underscoring the rising interest among Indian travellers in exploring diverse Japanese cities.
Enhanced Connectivity and Travel Options
The new Delhi–Osaka service offers travellers greater flexibility, enabling "open-jaw" itineraries where passengers can fly into one city, such as Osaka, and depart from another, like Tokyo, or vice versa.
This option facilitates broader exploration of Japan without requiring backtracking, a common preference for those combining visits to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in a single trip. For Air India, this strategic move secures a stronger position in the expanding India–Japan market, capitalising on the sustained growth in demand for travel between the two nations.
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