Air India and IHG Hotels & Resorts Announce Landmark Loyalty Partnership

The partnership connects Air India Maharaja Club and IHG One Rewards, giving members new ways to earn and exchange loyalty rewards

India, September 2026: Air India, India’s leading global airline, and IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, today announced a new partnership, enabling Air India’s Maharaja Club members to earn reward points during stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts, while giving IHG One Rewards members the flexibility to exchange their points for Maharaja Points.

The partnership brings together IHG’s global portfolio of more than 7,100 hotels in over 100 countries with Air India’s network across India and five continents to offer members greater value, choice and flexibility across their travel journey.

Earn Maharaja Points through stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide

Through the partnership, Air India’s Maharaja Club members can earn Maharaja Points when staying at IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide. Members will earn 2 Maharaja Points for every US$1 spent at most IHG Hotels and Resorts, while stays at Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, IHG Residences and IHG Army Hotels will earn 1 Maharaja Point for every US$1 spent.

Members will also have the flexibility to convert their IHG One Rewards Points into Maharaja Points, with 1,000 IHG One Rewards Points exchangeable for 200 Maharaja Points. The minimum exchange threshold is 1,000 IHG One Rewards Points, giving members flexibility in how they use their loyalty rewards towards future travel.

The partnership builds on IHG One Rewards’ focus on offering greater flexibility to its growing membership base, while further expanding Maharaja Club’s partner ecosystem and opportunities for members to earn Maharaja Points beyond their airline spend.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “India continues to be one of IHG’s most important growth markets, and we are focused on expanding our presence while building deeper and more meaningful engagement with our guests. Our partnership with Air India brings together two leading travel brands and creates greater value for members across their journeys. By connecting IHG One Rewards with Maharaja Club, we are giving our members more choice and flexibility in how they use their rewards, while strengthening the reach and relevance of IHG One Rewards in India. This partnership further supports our ambition to grow our loyalty base and drive preference for our hotels as we continue to expand our portfolio across the country.”

Award-winning IHG One Rewards is one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes with a growing base of over 160 million members, globally.

Sunil Suresh, Head of Marketing, Loyalty and E-commerce, Air India, said: “Maharaja Club is evolving alongside Air India's transformation, with a strong emphasis on creating richer experiences for our members beyond the flight itself. By partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts, we are extending the programme's reach into another important part of the travel journey and making it easier for members to benefit from their loyalty across a broader range of travel experiences. As we continue to grow the Maharaja Club ecosystem, our vision is to make Maharaja Points an increasingly relevant part of our members' travel and lifestyle journeys, with more opportunities to earn and redeem them across categories, markets and moments that matter most to our customers.”

Special launch offer for members

To mark the launch of the partnership, Maharaja Club members will be eligible to earn 3x Maharaja Points on qualifying stays between 15 September and 31 December 2026, with no blackout dates applicable during the period. Members are required to register for the promotion to benefit from the offer.

The partnership also reflects IHG’s continued commitment to India and its long-term growth strategy in the market, strengthening its loyalty proposition and creating more opportunities to engage travellers across their travel journeys.

IHG currently has 53 hotels operating across seven brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and a strong pipeline of 110 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.

Air India recently marked the milestone of having added more than 100 brands to Maharaja Club’s partnership network between FY2023 and FY2026, as it evolves into a modern, globally relevant, lifestyle-led loyalty programme. Over FY2026, Maharaja Club members completed more than 4.2 million transactions across partner brands spanning travel, hospitality, lifestyle and everyday spend categories.

Air India Launches ‘Easy Connect’ Flights from Ahmedabad, Connecting Gujarat to 26 Global Destinations

Operationalises Government of India’s transformative hub-and-spoke model from Ahmedabad

• Two daily ‘Easy Connect’ flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi

• Linking Gujarat to leading global destinations across the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, Asia Pacific, South East Asia and the Gulf

• Inbound Easy Connect operations to Ahmedabad to begin soon

 AHMEDABAD,  September 2026: Air India today announced the launch of ‘Easy Connect’ services from Ahmedabad, marking a significant milestone in the Government of India’s transformative hub-and-spoke initiative. Ahmedabad joins Amritsar and Varanasi in the growing Easy Connect network, extending seamless international connectivity to travellers across Gujarat while supporting India’s ambition of becoming a leading global aviation hub.

 Through this initiative, more travellers across India can access Air India’s global network through Indian hubs, strengthening the country's connectivity with destinations around the world.

 As part of the Easy Connect programme, international travellers from Ahmedabad can complete through check-in to their final destinations, clear immigration formalities at Ahmedabad airport, and enjoy seamless transfers through Delhi without having to re-check baggage or change terminals.

 This enables travellers to fly via Delhi as international transit passengers, avoiding repeated procedures and making international travel significantly simpler and more convenient. By connecting through an Indian hub rather than a foreign airport, travellers can enjoy a more familiar and seamless transit experience.

 Air India has designated the following two daily flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi as ‘Easy Connect’ services:

 AI1121, departing Ahmedabad at 08:15 PM and arriving in Delhi at 10:00 PM (starting 1 September)

• AI1117, departing Ahmedabad at 08:25 AM and arriving in Delhi at 10:15 AM (starting 2 September)

 Together, these flights provide seamless onward connectivity to 26 international destinations within four hours of arrival in Delhi, including destinations across the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia and the Gulf.

 Air India will also soon begin inbound Easy Connect operations, enabling seamless international-to-domestic transfers via Delhi for passengers travelling onwards to Ahmedabad.

 Commenting at the launch, Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said: “The expansion of hub-and-spoke operations to Ahmedabad is another step forward in our vision towards building a more connected, inclusive and globally competitive aviation ecosystem. India’s aviation growth must extend beyond the major metropolitan centres and ensure that the benefits of air connectivity reach every region of the country. By linking Ahmedabad with global destinations through Indian hubs, this initiative will support trade, tourism and mobility, while advancing our vision of strengthening India’s role in global aviation.”

 Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu; Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel; Hon'ble Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Government of India Shri Murlidhar Mohol; Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Gujarat Shri Harsh Ramesh Kumar Sanghavi; Shri Manoj Kumar Das, Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat; Mr. Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr. P. Balaji, Group Head - Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India; Mr. Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Limited, along with other senior officials from government agencies, airport stakeholders and Air India were present at the inaugural event.

 Connecting Gujarat to 26 Global Destinations

Flight AI1117, the morning Easy Connect service from Ahmedabad, provides onward connectivity via Delhi to destinations such as Shanghai, Kathmandu, Dubai, Amsterdam, Manila, Paris, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Milan, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Rome and Zurich.

 Flight AI1121, the evening Easy Connect service, provides onward connectivity to destinations such as Singapore, Seoul, Colombo, Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Dubai, Toronto, Sydney and London.

 P. Balaji, Group Head - Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, said: “Ahmedabad is an important gateway for travellers from Gujarat that is home to one of the largest globally connected communities of Indians, with generations of families and entrepreneurs forging strong links with communities around the world, especially in the US, United Kingdom and Australia. The launch of ‘Easy Connect’ services from Ahmedabad is an important addition to Air India’s network and to the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke programme. By enabling through check-in, immigration clearance at the point of departure and seamless transfers through Delhi, these services simplify international travel for passengers from Gujarat. As the first airline to operationalise this vision, we are proud to support the development of India has a strong aviation hub and contribute to the continued expansion of the country’s hub-and-spoke network.”

 Air India is leading a phased nationwide rollout that will progressively connect more domestic “spoke” cities in addition to Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Varanasi to the airline’s primary hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, unlocking seamless, end-to-end international travel for millions of Indians. In the coming weeks, Air India will begin Easy Connect services from several other Indian cities.

 Strengthening India’s Position as a Global Aviation Hub

The Easy Connect initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage more international traffic to transit through Indian airports instead of overseas hubs. Of the nearly 25 million passengers who travel long-haul to and from India each year, close to 20 million are connecting travellers. Currently, around 85% of them, or approximately 17 million passengers, transit through foreign hubs rather than Indian airports.

 By combining the Government of India's hub-and-spoke framework with Air India's expanding global network, Easy Connect seeks to progressively route a greater share of this traffic through Indian hubs. The initiative is designed to offer travellers a more seamless, familiar and integrated travel experience while strengthening India's position as a global transit hub.

 Air India currently operates the largest international network among Indian carriers, connecting India with destinations across North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Together with its extensive domestic network, the airline enables convenient connectivity from cities across the country to destinations around the world.

 More about Easy Connect flights

Passengers travelling on Air India’s Easy Connect flights are required to complete certain pre-departure and transit processes to ensure a seamless journey, including mandatory DigiYatra enrolment for Indian nationals. Indian passport holders connecting internationally on Easy Connect flights are required to enrol in DigiYatra. Web check-in and Customs declaration are not available at spoke airports.

Bookings for Air India’s Easy Connect flights are available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre, and travel agents.

Air India welcomes its third line-fit Boeing 787-9 aircraft to the fleet

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has welcomed VT-AWC, its third line-fit Boeing 787-9 aircraft, to its fleet. The aircraft completed a non-stop journey of 17 hours and 14 minutes from Boeing’s facility in Charleston and landed in Delhi on 4 July 2026.

The factory-fresh aircraft marks another milestone in Air India’s fleet modernisation journey and features a three-class cabin configuration with 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy seats. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art interiors, including Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment system, offering customers an enhanced long-haul travel experience.

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Air India Rolls Out Significant Enhancements to Its Mobile App to Elevate the Customer Experience

New capabilities to boost utility and useability of Air India’s mobile app

In-house booking engine, payment platform enhances booking experience

GURUGRAM, July:  Air India, India’s leading global airline, has completed the rollout of a significant set of new capabilities on its globally acclaimed mobile app, further strengthening its commitment to delivering a seamless, customer-centric travel experience. Designed and developed by Air India’s in-house digital teams, the reimagined app is built around the evolving needs of travellers, helping them navigate every stage of their journey with greater convenience and control.

By bringing together booking, payments, airport services, disruption support, baggage tracking, loyalty management and AI-powered assistance in a single digital platform, Air India’s mobile app is now a one-stop travel companion designed to make journeys more convenient, predictable and enjoyable. Some of the significant capabilities rolled out in the revamped Air India mobile app include:

• An in-house booking engine that enriches the booking journey with an intuitive, fast and responsive user interface to search flights, make bookings and add ancillaries from the same platform.

• An in-house payment orchestration platform that eases the payment experience and allows Air India to provide innovative offers to guests ensuring a smoother checkout process.

• Disruption assistance by providing passengers support with hotel accommodation and transportation assistance contextually from the Home screen.

Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Air India, said: "Our mobile app is our flagship channel for engaging with guests and one of the 140-plus world-class digital systems deployed as part of Air India's transformation journey. Every capability we build starts with understanding our guests’ needs with empathy and reducing the stress often associated with travel. The latest enhancements further simplify the travel experience—from booking and payments to airport processes and disruption support—while giving guests more transparency, convenience and control. The strong appreciation we have received from our customers inspires us to continue innovating and making the app even more valuable in the years ahead."

These new capabilities join a rich set of existing popular features, which have been significantly enhanced now for a better guest experience from the App itself. Some of the key enhanced features include:

• A personalised, context-aware home screen presenting upcoming trip details, boarding passes, travel offers and destination inspiration in a simple and visually engaging format.

• Customers can stay informed through the highly popular Flight Status feature, used more than 1.4 million times each month, which provides real-time flight updates, including information about the incoming aircraft operating the flight. The app’s integration with DigiYatra continues to simplify airport journeys, with over 220,000 customers using the feature every month to enjoy a more seamless airport experience.

• The enhanced My Trips section serves as a convenient self-service hub where travellers can manage seats, modify bookings and access meal options with ease, reducing the need for customer support intervention.

• Air India’s pioneering AI.g virtual assistant, the first generative AI-powered assistant in the global airline industry, continues to help customers with a wide range of travel queries, with 26 million customer queries answered so far. Complementing it is the EZ Booking capability, which can generate an entire travel itinerary from a few words entered by the customer.

• Another customer favourite is the app’s baggage tracking feature, used more than 200,000 times every month. The feature allows travellers to monitor their checked baggage across multiple milestones, including on codeshare and interline journeys, and even supports locating delayed baggage through devices such as Apple AirTag and Google-compatible trackers.

• Additional innovations include AEye Vision™, which leverages computer vision technology to retrieve travel information without manual data entry, a comprehensive notification system featuring the exclusive and widely appreciated “Boarding Will Begin Shortly” alert, and a dedicated Maharaja Club section that makes managing loyalty programme benefits simple and convenient.

Some features like My Trips, Flight Status, Baggage Tracking, Food & Beverage menu etc. are available even without connectivity with a unique off-line capability.

Today, the app enjoys a 4.8-star rating on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in India, has been downloaded nearly 17 million times globally, serves over 100,000 users every day, and has achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +61 - making it one of the highest-rated airline apps globally. The app has also received multiple prestigious international awards.

Air India encourages all guests to download the app and experience a more connected, informed and stress-free way to travel.

From Konkan orchards to Arabian souks: Air India cargo transports first international export shipment from Navi Mumbai aboard Air India Express

As Air India Express flight IX207 departed Navi Mumbai International Airport for Abu Dhabi on the morning of 15 July, crates of freshly harvested guavas from Maharashtra's Konkan region and Drumstick Moringa were making their own maiden journey from India's newest international gateway to the UAE. The 1.79-tonne consignment marked the first international cargo movement from Navi Mumbai International Airport, opening a new channel for exporters in western India.

For the farmers and exporters whose produce was aboard the flight, the journey represented more than a routine shipment.

A new gateway opens to global markets

The Boeing 737-8 operating the Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route offers approximately 2.5 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity, creating a valuable channel for the movement of perishables and time-sensitive goods from western India. Air India Cargo expects the service to carry around 25 tonnes of cargo each month, helping meet growing demand for fresh Indian produce in the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Air India Express currently operates thrice weekly on the route, providing regular connectivity for exporters seeking faster access to the market.

"Every new route presents an opportunity," said Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo, Air India. "This first export shipment from Navi Mumbai connects growers, traders and businesses in western India directly with one of the region's most important international markets. Fresh produce is highly time-sensitive, and reliable air connectivity plays a critical role in helping Indian exporters reach global consumers while preserving product quality."

The inaugural consignment was dominated by guava (called ‘peru’ in Marathi) from the Konkan belt, a region renowned for its fertile terrain and fruit cultivation. Also on board was Drumstick Moringa, a product increasingly sought after in international markets for its nutritional value and growing popularity among health-conscious consumers. Though modest in weight, the shipment represents the kind of high-value, time-sensitive trade that Air India Cargo is uniquely positioned to support. With regular flights now underway, exporters gain a faster route to overseas buyers, while consumers in Gulf markets gain access to produce harvested just hours earlier in western India.

The science of keeping produce fresh

Behind the shipment is a sophisticated cold-chain network designed to ensure that delicate produce arrives overseas in the same condition in which it was harvested. Fresh fruits and vegetables typically arrive at airport cargo terminals in refrigerated trucks arranged by IATA-approved cargo agents. At origin, the shipments are moved into temperature-controlled facilities maintained between 15°C and 25°C, before being built onto specialised pallets and containers and prepared for international transport.

The process does not end once the aircraft lands. At destination, consignments are again transferred into temperature-regulated environments before final delivery, helping preserve freshness, texture, and shelf life throughout the journey.

For fruits and vegetables, where quality can deteriorate rapidly if exposed to unsuitable conditions, maintaining a stable temperature chain is as important as the flight itself.

Over the past several years, Air India Cargo has steadily strengthened its capabilities to support the growing movement of perishables, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive commodities across its network. Its cargo operations are supported by specialised equipment, including cool dollies and thermal blankets, designed to minimise temperature fluctuations while shipments move between warehouse and aircraft. The facilities supporting these operations are GDP-certified, aligning with globally recognised standards for the safe, secure and quality-assured handling of temperature-sensitive cargo.

"Cargo is often the unseen enabler of trade," said Mamidala. "When we transport perishable products such as fruits, vegetables or temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, speed alone is not enough. Maintaining the integrity of the shipment from origin to destination is equally important. Investments in cold-chain infrastructure and globally certified handling processes are helping us support exporters with the reliability they need."

For growers and exporters across Maharashtra, reliable air cargo links can make the difference between accessing local markets and reaching international consumers willing to pay a premium for fresh produce. "The Gulf has long been a strong market for Indian produce," Mamidala said. "By making additional capacity available from Navi Mumbai, we are creating faster and more efficient pathways for exporters while strengthening India's agricultural export ecosystem. Every shipment represents the efforts of farmers, traders, freight forwarders and logistics partners, and our role is to connect them to opportunities beyond India's borders."

The route's launch comes at a time when demand for fresh fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products continues to rise across the Middle East, further reinforcing the importance of dependable air freight capacity.

For Air India Cargo, the movement of nearly two tonnes of export cargo on the airport's first international flight is an early indication of the potential that lies ahead. In a way, it also represented something much larger: the opening of a new trade corridor connecting India's farms, businesses and entrepreneurs with consumers across the world.

Air India goes digital to manage its widebody Boeing fleet

DGCA approves use of Electronic Technical Logbooks (ETL) for the B787, B777 fleet

ELT to boost operational performance, enhance sustainability with paperless documentation 

Air India has taken yet another step forward in its transformation journey with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approving the use of Electronic Technical Logbooks (ETL) as the primary technical document for its Boeing 787 fleet and authorising parallel implementation across the Boeing 777 fleet. This will boost Air India’s commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen operational performance, safety, reliability, and sustainability and position it as a technology-enabled, modern global airline.

With this approval, Air India has now become one of the first airlines to adopt fleet-wide Electronic Technical Logbooks across its entire B787 widebody fleet, to achieve a complete fleet-wide ETL implementation.

The Electronic Technical Logbook replaces traditional paper-based maintenance records with a secure digital platform, enabling faster, more accurate, and more efficient management of aircraft maintenance and engineering activities. The digital system provides real-time information sharing between maintenance engineers, and operational teams, improving coordination, accelerating defect reporting and rectification, and enhancing aircraft dispatch reliability.

The ETL platform also delivers enhanced data integrity, traceability, and regulatory compliance while providing advanced analytics that support predictive maintenance and informed engineering decision-making. In addition, the paperless system significantly reduces paper consumption, supporting Air India’s sustainability objectives.

Commenting on the development, Jeremy Yew Jin Kit, Senior Vice President – Engineering & Maintenance, Air India, said: “The implementation of Electronic Technical Logbooks across our widebody Boeing fleet reaffirms the collaborative work involving engineering, flight operations, digital technology teams, OEM partners and the regulator. Replacing paper-based processes with real-time digital information, we are improving operational efficiency, strengthening maintenance governance, enhancing regulatory compliance and enabling faster decision-making across our engineering and operations teams.”

The achievement reflects Air India’s continued investment in digital technologies to modernise engineering and maintenance operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance. It is a key step in the airline’s broader vision of building a world-class, data-driven aviation business that excels in operational performance and customer service.

Air India ranks among the world’s top 5 most on-time global airlines

Air India has been ranked the 4th most on-time airline in the world in June 2026 by aviation analytics firm Cirium, underscoring the airline's continued focus on operational reliability and schedule integrity.

According to Cirium's June 2026 On-Time Performance report, Air India recorded an on-time arrival rate of 86.85% across 15,135 flights tracked during the month. The airline also posted an on-time departure rate of 86.23% and a completion factor of 99.7%, meaning virtually all scheduled flights operated as planned. 

The ranking reflects Air India’s sustained investments in operational resilience, improved network planning, and enhanced execution across its domestic and international operations.

As a hub-and-spoke network carrier operating a large number of domestic and international connections through India's two largest airports, Delhi and Mumbai, Air India manages significant operational complexity. The airline's operations can be impacted by congestion and air traffic control restrictions at these busy airports, which often have a cascading effect across the network.

Over time, Air India has introduced a range of measures to strengthen schedule reliability and deliver a more consistent travel experience for its customers. These include improving departure punctuality, streamlining aircraft turnaround processes, enhancing real-time network monitoring, and enabling faster operational decision-making across the airline.

The airline has also focused on building greater operational resilience through robust contingency planning, enhanced cross-functional coordination, and maintaining the operational flexibility needed to respond effectively to unforeseen disruptions such as weather events, airspace restrictions, airport congestion, or technical issues. These efforts help minimise the impact of disruptions, support network stability, and ensure customers reach their destinations with greater reliability.

Air India’s improving operational performance complements its broader transformation efforts underway, encompassing fleet modernisation, customer experience enhancements, digital innovation, and the strengthening of global connectivity through its growing hub-and-spoke network.

Ongoing fleet modernization efforts

As part of its transformation, Air India is undertaking one of the world's largest fleet renewal programmes, having placed orders for 600 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while simultaneously modernising its existing fleet. The airline has inducted three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft over the last six months, with additional Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s scheduled to join the fleet later in 2026.

In parallel, Air India is progressing with the retrofit of its legacy widebody fleet. Two of its 26 legacy Boeing 787-8 aircraft featuring completely refreshed interiors have already returned to service, while three more are currently undergoing upgrades in the United States.

By the end of 2026, more than 50% of Air India's widebody fleet is expected to feature new or upgraded interiors, significantly enhancing the customer experience across the airline's long-haul network.

Air India’s Maharaja Club partners with Professional Golf Tour of India to support the growth of golf in the country

Air India Maharaja Club will be the Official Travel Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India

Partnership will unlock curated experiences at select tournaments, including privileged access, hospitality and member engagement opportunities for Maharaja Club members.

Air India’s award-winning frequent flyer programme, Maharaja Club, today announced a partnership with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), under which Maharaja Club will be the Official Travel Partner for DP World PGTI tournaments across India from August 2026 to April 2027.

The partnership brings together two brands committed to excellence and reflects Maharaja Club’s growing focus on delivering distinctive lifestyle experiences beyond travel. Through the association, Maharaja Club will support the continued growth of professional golf in India while offering members unique opportunities to engage with the sport.

As the Official Travel Partner, Maharaja Club will facilitate seamless travel support for players and officials participating in DP World PGTI events across the tournament calendar, enabling them to focus on performance and competition.

The partnership will also unlock curated experiences at select tournaments, including privileged access, hospitality and member engagement opportunities for Maharaja Club members. These initiatives further strengthen Maharaja Club’s positioning as one of India’s leading travel and lifestyle loyalty programmes.

Mr. Kapil Dev, President, DP World PGTI, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are delighted to welcome Air India as the Official Travel Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. As the Tour expands its footprint and continues to raise the bar for professional golf in India, having a trusted and iconic brand like Air India Maharaja Club by our side adds tremendous value. This partnership will ensure our players, officials and stakeholders enjoy seamless travel, allowing them to focus entirely on performance and excellence.”

Mr. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “We are delighted to partner with the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India and contribute to the development of golf in the country. At Air India, we are committed to supporting sporting excellence by enabling seamless travel experiences. Through this partnership, we aim to support players as they compete across the country while also creating unique and memorable experiences for our Maharaja Club members.”

The partnership will be activated across DP World PGTI tournaments throughout the season through curated fan engagement initiatives. Leveraging its extensive domestic and international network, Air India will also support DP World PGTI’s ambition of expanding the reach and profile of Indian golf, both within the country and on the global stage.

Air India inks agreement with SIA Engineering Company for collaboration on MRO

Air India, India’s leading global airline, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) to explore a collaboration in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) which will contribute to the development of India as a global aviation MRO hub.

The MoU was signed in Mumbai on 3 July 2026 by Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, and SIAEC Chief Executive Officer, Chin Yau Seng.

This follows Air India’s earlier collaborations with SIAEC to strengthen maintenance and component support for its growing fleet and network expansion:

• Signing of a 12-year Inventory Technical Management (ITM) agreement with SIAEC for extensive component support coverage for Air India’s current fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft on 21 February 2024;

• Appointment of SIAEC as Air India’s Base Maintenance strategic partner for the development of the airline’s Base Maintenance facilities located in Bangalore on 11 May 2024.

The latest MOU aims to deepen the partnership between both parties by tapping on SIAEC’s MRO and technical expertise to bolster Air India’s established airline operations network by jointly developing a world-class MRO ecosystem in India. This collaboration could include the potential formation of an MRO Joint Venture in India, serving the increasing needs of the Indian and regional aviation markets.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India’s rapid aviation growth is driving the need for a stronger, more self-reliant MRO ecosystem within the country. As fleet sizes expand and operations scale up, developing local maintenance capacity will be important to support efficiency, resilience and long-term growth. Partnerships such as this can play a constructive role in enabling that broader direction and developing India as a global aviation hub.”

Chin Yau Seng, Chief Executive Officer SIAEC, said: “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, and the continued development of its MRO capabilities will be an important step in strengthening its position within the global aerospace ecosystem. Through this MOU, we look forward to exploring how SIAEC’s technical expertise can support the progressive build-up of capabilities and capacity in India, alongside our ongoing partnership with Air India.”

The potential collaboration, which is legally non-binding, is likely to be progressively firmed up with material developments in future. 

Air India elevates Mumbai-London Heathrow services with brand-new B787-9 featuring new premium cabins

Introducing Premium Economy, private Business Class suites, latest-generation inflight entertainment systems, and enhanced long-haul travel experience

Air India today began deploying its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft between Mumbai and London Heathrow, bringing its latest-generation onboard product to one of its flagship international routes.

Effective today, Air India flights AI131/AI130 between Mumbai and London Heathrow will be operated by the airline's new Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring all-new cabin interiors designed exclusively for Air India and installed directly on Boeing's production line. These line-fit aircraft are the first Boeing 787s purpose-built for Air India, embodying the airline's new standards of comfort, technology, and customer experience.

The deployment also introduces Premium Economy Class on the route, offering customers a broader range of travel choices across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.

Air India’s second daily service between Mumbai and London Heathrow will continue to be served by its upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring First Class, ensuring customers on both services enjoy an enhanced onboard experience.

Elevated onboard experience

Air India’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature a three-class cabin configuration with 30 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 Economy seats, blending contemporary design, advanced technology, and Indian-inspired aesthetics.

Guests travelling on Air India’s Mumbai-London Heathrow route will now enjoy a wide range of enhancements, including:

• Luxurious Business Class suites, direct aisle access, 79 inches fully flat beds, wireless charging, generous personal storage and immersive inflight entertainment on a large 17-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen – all designed to provide a comfortable and restful long-haul experience.

• A dedicated Premium Economy cabin with wider seats in a 2-3-2 layout, 38-inch pitch providing ample legroom, generous recline, adjustable headrests, adjustable leg and calf rests, 13.3-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, offering enhanced comfort and personal space.

• Economy Class experience, with ergonomically designed seats designed for long-haul travel, 11.6-inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and improved comfort and thoughtfully integrated personal electronic device holders.

• Next-generation inflight entertainment, powered by the Thales AVANT Up system with high-definition touchscreens, Bluetooth audio connectivity, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, AC power outlets and an intuitive user interface across all cabins.

• Bluetooth headphone pairing, enabling guests to enjoy an entertainment content library of over 3,000 hours on board using their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones.

• New mood lighting in the cabins inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions.

• A refreshed onboard product, including thoughtfully curated menus showcasing Indian and international flavours, premium chinaware, glassware and tableware, plush bedding, redesigned amenity kits and other signature touches that together deliver a more refined and consistent onboard experience.

Connecting India with the UK and beyond

The United Kingdom is one of Air India's most important international markets, with strong demand from business and leisure travellers as well as the Indian diaspora. Air India currently operates 57 weekly non-stop flights between India and the UK, connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Amritsar with London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Birmingham.

Air India’s UK services provide customers with greater choice, convenient schedules and seamless onward connectivity via Air India’s hubs in India to and from destinations across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Air India begins deploying B777-300ER with upgraded cabin interiors on flights to Melbourne from 1 July

Delhi-Melbourne flights will now operate with Boeing 777-300ER featuring upgraded cabin interiors
Introducing First Class cabins on Delhi-Melbourne flights 

Air India will deploy its B777-300ER aircraft featuring upgraded cabin interiors on flights between Delhi and Melbourne, effective 1 July, replacing the existing aircraft. This marks a significant enhancement in premium seat capacity on the route, comfort, and on-board experience, including the introduction of First Class on the route.

Configured in a three-class layout, Air India’s upgraded Boeing 777-300ER features 08 First Class suites, 40 fully flat Business Class beds, and 280 Economy Class seats, representing a substantial increase in premium capacity compared to the existing B787-8 on this route, which features 18 Business Class and 241 Economy Class seats.

The deployment brings a more consistent and elevated long-haul product to Air India’s Melbourne services, aligned with the airline’s ongoing transformation into a world-class global carrier.

Elevated Onboard Experience

Air India guests to Melbourne will now benefit from a wide range of enhancements including:

• Luxurious private suites in First Class, offering leather-upholstered seats that convert into fully flat beds, privacy doors, an elevated on-ground and dining experience, and personalised service.

• Significantly upgraded Business Class product, with fully flat beds offering enhanced comfort, space, and privacy, alongside improved soft product elements.

• Wi-Fi internet connectivity, introduced on this route for the first time, enabling guests to stay connected with work or loved ones throughout their flight.

• Refreshed food & beverage offering, including thoughtfully curated menus featuring the best of global cuisine alongside Indian favourites, complemented by a selection of premium wines and spirits.

• Enhanced inflight entertainment, with a richer and more diverse content library across movies, TV shows, music, and more, catering to global tastes

Seamless experience on ground and in air

The aircraft upgrade complements Air India’s broader investments in elevating the end-to-end customer journey. This includes access to the airline’s new flagship Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport for eligible premium customers, offering a refined pre-flight experience with upgraded dining, seating, and service.

Together, these enhancements reflect Air India’s continued focus on modernising its fleet, upgrading its product offering, and delivering a seamless, high-quality experience across touchpoints.

Connecting India with Australia and beyond

Australia remains a key international market for Air India, with strong and growing demand for both business and leisure travel. The introduction of the Boeing 777-300ER on the Delhi–Melbourne route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening connectivity while offering a more competitive and globally benchmarked product.

Air India currently operates 4x weekly non-stop flights between Delhi and Melbourne and is scheduled to operate 7x weekly services on the route from 01 September 2026. The airline’s Delhi-Melbourne service also provides travellers with convenient, same-terminal connections via Delhi to destinations across Europe, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Milan, Zurich, among others.

Air India also operates non-stop flights between Delhi and Sydney, enabling similar seamless onward connections to and from destinations in the UK and rest of Europe. 

Air India Launches ‘Easy Connect’ Flights – Bringing the World Closer to Every Indian

Operationalises Government’s Hub-and-Spoke model from Varanasi
‘Easy Connect’ flights to soon begin from 11 additional cities: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Vadodara, Visakhapatnam

VARANASI, June 2026: Air India today marked a defining milestone in the Indian aviation industry with the inauguration of its first 'Easy Connect' flight under the Government of India's new hub-and-spoke framework, launching the transformative model aimed at linking the length and breadth of India seamlessly with the world, and vice versa.

The inaugural Easy Connect service, flight AI1111, departed Varanasi at 09:23 AM today, with international passengers on the flight connecting onward from Delhi to 9 destinations outside of India, such as Dubai, Colombo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kathmandu, Phuket.

Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, inaugurated the first ‘Easy Connect’ flight from Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. At the occasion, he said: “Today we take a major step forward towards realising our vision of making air travel more accessible and building a future-ready, self-reliant Indian aviation industry that is efficient, inclusive, and globally competitive. Our new hub-and-spoke model paves the way for a monumental shift in how our citizens travel - where regardless of the city one lives in India, one can begin their international journey from their home city and travel across the globe with ease and confidence, on India’s own wings.”

At the launch, the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, presented the first passenger to check-in for the inaugural Easy Connect flight with a commemorative boarding pass. Also present at the occasion were Mr Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr. Puneet Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India; Mr Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India; Mr P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India; among other senior officials from government agencies and Air India.

Nationwide rollout

As the first airline to begin the hub-and-spoke services, Air India is leading a phased nationwide rollout that will progressively connect more domestic “spoke” cities in addition to Varanasi to the airline’s primary hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, unlocking seamless, end-to-end international travel for millions of Indians.

Over the next few months, Air India aims to introduce ‘Easy Connect’ services from several other Indian cities progressively, including Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Vadodara, and Visakhapatnam, thus fundamentally changing the way Indian travellers access destinations around the world.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India is a major force in global aviation, and yet, for decades a meaningful share of Indian travellers flying abroad have routed their journeys through overseas transit points - often at the cost of comfort and convenience. Air India’s ‘Easy Connect’ flights is a response to that reality, and we are grateful to the Government of India for its vision and support in enabling this framework.”

Wilson added: “In today’s India, a family in Varanasi, Amritsar, or Vishakhapatnam should not have to navigate unfamiliar transit environments to reach the world. They should be able to begin their international journey from their home city, on their own soil, feeling confident, comfortable, and proud as they connect seamlessly to global destinations.”

Nearly 25 million passengers travel long-haul to and from India annually, of which close to 20 million are connecting travellers – and around 85% (approximately 17 million) of whom currently transit through overseas hubs rather than Indian airports.

Air India and Booking.com partner to offer integrated booking experiences and exclusive rewards to travellers

Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver a more seamless and rewarding travel booking experience. Customers can now access a vast array of global accommodations via a dedicated co-branded platform on the Air India website and mobile app, powered by Booking.com, along with exclusive benefits and loyalty rewards for Maharaja Club members.

The co-branded platform offers Air India customers access to Booking.com’s extensive global inventory of over 31 million reported listings in 45 languages, including 8.6 million listings in homes, villas and other unique places to stay, backed by its 24/7 customer support.

Air India’s Maharaja Club members can earn 5 Maharaja Points for every INR 100 spent on stays booked through the dedicated platform. These points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades. Customers will also benefit from exclusive discounts of up to 15% on participating properties for a limited period, from June 22 to July 21, 2026.

“Our partnership with Booking.com is another step in our efforts to build a comprehensive travel ecosystem for our customers. By combining Air India’s growing global network with Booking.com’s vast portfolio, we are offering our guests greater convenience, choice and added value across journeys,” said Abhijit Menon, Divisional Vice President & Head of Revenue Management, Air India.

Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific at Booking.com, said “As travellers increasingly seek integrated, digital-first travel experiences, we are excited to partner with Air India. This collaboration reflects our Connected Trip vision of making travel planning simpler and more seamless. By combining our diverse global accommodation inventory with Air India’s growing international network, we are helping to make it easier for travellers to book their flights and stay in one place. This partnership also reinforces our commitment to India, delivering greater value, rewarding loyalty and creating a more seamless, end-to-end travel experience.”

Industry data indicates that travellers increasingly prefer planning multiple parts of their journey through a single platform. Research shows that leisure travellers opt for bundled travel offerings combining flights, accommodation or other services. The partnership reflects Air India’s and Booking.com’s continued focus on supporting this shift towards more seamless, end-to-end travel planning by offering integrated accommodation options.

As a member of Star Alliance, Air India offers Maharaja Club members global recognition and benefits across the alliance’s extensive network. Over the last two years, more than 100 brands across categories have entered partnerships with Air India for Maharaja Club, thus significantly enhancing the benefits for travellers.

Air India and Riyadh Air Sign Agreement to Expand Premium Travel Options Between India, Saudi Arabia, and Beyond

Memorandum of Understanding outlines collaboration plans for codeshare and interline agreements, and collaboration on multiple other areas

• Partnership supports business, tourism, and family connections, reflecting the deep ties between the two nations

Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the foundation for a partnership that will offer guests seamless connections between India, Saudi Arabia, and destinations beyond.

The MoU reflects the shared ambition of both full-service premium carriers to boost global connectivity for travellers flying between India, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, leveraging the geographical advantages of their hubs at Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Air India and Riyadh Air intend to introduce interline and codeshare arrangements that will enable guests to travel seamlessly across each other’s networks with the convenience of a single booking and smoother onward connections via their respective hubs .

The two airlines will also explore collaboration across a range of areas, including reciprocal loyalty programme benefits, cargo services, operational support  and digital and technology initiatives designed to enhance the guest experience. The partnership supports growing demand for travel linked to business, tourism, and family visits, reflecting the deep economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Saudi Arabia and India.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India and Saudi Arabia are two important growth markets in global aviation today, and the scale and momentum in both countries make this a natural partnership. We look forward to working with Riyadh Air to bring together complementary strengths of the two airlines to unlock that opportunity with a focus on offering our guests more choice across our combined networks and elevating their travel experiences.”

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated, “India is one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world, and this partnership with Air India marks a defining step in Riyadh Air's mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations. Together, we will offer guests a seamless, world-class experience that reflects the deep cultural and economic bonds shared between our two nations.”

Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has significantly expanded its global alliance network. Today, the airline maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and nearly 120+ interline agreements with leading carriers worldwide, providing seamless access for Air India customers to over 1,000 destinations globally.

Riyadh Air has recently launched public sales on its website and app for flights to London Heathrow, with inaugural flights set to take off on July 1. This new route offers Indian guests, via seamless connections through Riyadh, a direct gateway to the United Kingdom and Europe, further expanding the possibilities for business, leisure, and family travel.

Air India earns Skytrax 4-star rating as passenger experience transformation gains momentum

Air India, India’s leading global airline, today announced it has been awarded the Skytrax 4-Star Airline Rating for Business Class and Economy Class, reaching another milestone in its ongoing transformation under the Vihaan.AI programme.

Air India’s elevation from 3-star to 4-Star status follows a comprehensive transformation spanning fleet modernisation, product upgrades, digital innovation, on-ground experience, and service culture enhancements, among several other aspects combining to deliver a significantly improved passenger experience across touchpoints.

The transformational changes have also translated into a consistently improving customer feedback and sentiment. Air India’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) - a key measure of customer advocacy - has improved by more than 70 points, rising from -35 in late 2022 to nearly +40 today, reflecting tangible gains in areas that matter most to passengers. On Air India’s flagship A350s and B787-9s, the NPS is consistently in the high 60s.

Skytrax is the world’s leading international air transport rating organisation, and its star ratings are widely regarded as a global benchmark for airline quality. The 4-Star Airline Rating recognises airlines delivering strong, consistent performance across product and service throughout the customer journey.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This 4-Star rating from Skytrax is an important recognition of the progress we have made in transforming Air India into a more modern, customer-focused airline. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of over 24,000 Air India employees who have embraced this transformation with commitment and pride. While this milestone reflects how far we have come, it also strengthens our resolve to continue raising the bar, with a clear ambition to achieve a 5-Star rating in due course as we build a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.”

The Skytrax audit evaluates the entire customer journey, covering airport processes, lounge experience, onboard product, food and beverage, and the quality and consistency of service. The 4-Star certification reflects holistic, sustained improvements across all touchpoints, rather than isolated enhancements.

Fleet upgrades: At the core of Air India’s transformation is an ambitious fleet modernisation programme, including the induction of India’s first Airbus A350 as well as brand-new Boeing 787-9s with made-for-Air India interiors, the completed retrofit and return to service of 27 retrofitted A320neo with all-new cabin interiors, and the ongoing retrofit of nearly 40 retrofitted legacy Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777 now underway. In just four years, Air India’s upgraded fleet has grown to over 120 aircraft, 66% of its full-service fleet, significantly enhancing passenger experience across its network.

On the ground: Air India has reimagined its airport and lounge experience, with new, redesigned lounges in Delhi, Bengaluru, and San Francisco, with more to follow in other parts of the world. Across airports, improvements such as streamlined boarding, self-service check-in, and digital tools have made journeys more seamless.

Reimagined onboard experience: The airline has also comprehensively redesigned its onboard experience. Every cabin crew member has undergone rigorous retraining to the standards of the new Air India, alongside the induction of over 5,000 newly recruited cabin crew. This is complemented by a complete refresh of the soft product, including inflight meals and beverages, bedding, amenities, and more. Air India’s new inflight entertainment system now offers over 3,000 hours of content on all new and upgraded widebody aircraft, while on narrowbody aircraft, more than 1,250 hours of content is available via Vista Stream, its wireless inflight entertainment service. Inflight connectivity is also being progressively introduced, bringing onboard internet connectivity to customers.

Digital infrastructure and customer support: A complete overhaul of the airline’s digital & IT infrastructure and customer support system has also delivered step-change improvements - introducing an all-new website and a mobile app that stands among the highest-rated airline apps globally, a unified platform supported by a generative AI chatbot handling over 14 million interactions, reducing call wait times at the airline’s customer contact centre to around 10 seconds, and enabling faster refunds and issue resolution.

Amid Rising Airfare Costs, BOBCARD Unveils Exciting Travel Deals with Air India, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Paytm Travel and more!

Mumbai, May 2026: As airfare prices continue to surge, finding cost-effective travel options, especially during peak travel seasons, has become increasingly difficult for Indian travellers. Whether it is business trips, family vacations, or frequent flying needs, rising ticket fares and additional travel expenses can significantly strain overall travel budgets. In line with the growing demand for smarter and more value-driven travel experiences, BOBCARD LIMITED, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, has introduced a wide range of attractive travel offers and benefits across leading travel and hospitality platforms including Air India, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Goibibo, Paytm Travel, Yatra, Ixigo, and UdChalo. Through these partnerships, BOBCARD aims to make travel more rewarding and accessible for customers this summer by offering instant discounts, exclusive deals, and convenient EMI options that help travellers save more while enjoying seamless journeys.

With domestic and international travel demand witnessing strong momentum, BOBCARD customers can now enjoy significant savings on flight and hotel bookings across multiple travel platforms until June 30, 2026.

 Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Saravanakumar A, Managing Director & CEO, BOBCARD LIMITED, said, “Travel today has become an integral part of consumers’ lifestyle aspirations, whether for leisure or work purposes. At BOBCARD, we remain committed to delivering meaningful value and enhanced experiences to our customers through strategic partnerships and tailored offerings. Through these travel benefits across leading platforms, we aim to make journeys more rewarding, affordable, and convenient for our cardholders.”

Through this summer travel offers, BOBCARD aims to further strengthen its commitment to delivering enhanced customer experiences through relevant, value-driven benefits. By combining lifestyle aspirations with smart financial flexibility, BOBCARD seeks to make travel more accessible, convenient, and rewarding for its customers.

 Key Offers Detail:

AirIndia

• Up to ₹8000 instant discount on Domestic & International Flights | Use code: BOBAIFLY

• Velocity- 1/per card/domestic/international/per month

 MakeMyTrip

• Up to 15% Instant Discount on Flight & Hotel bookings 

• Offer is applicable only on Tuesday & Friday only on 3 & 6 months Interest Free EMI

• Velocity is Once per card per month per product.

 Paytm Flights

• Up to 12% Instant Discount on Domestic & International Flights

• Applicable only on Wednesday & Thursday on BOBCARD EMI & No Cost EMI on 3 & 6 months

• Use Promocode: FLYBOB (Domestic) | INTLFLYBOB (International)

• Offer valid once per card per month per product

 GOIBIBO

• Up to 15% Instant Discount on Flight & Hotel Booking

• Offer applicable on Wednesday and Thursday on BOBCARD EMI

• Offer valid only on 3 & 6 months Interest Free EMI

• Velocity is Once per card per month per product.

EaseMyTrip

• Up to 15% Instant Discount on Flight & Hotel Booking

• Use Promocode: BOBEMI || BOB6EMI

• Offer applicable on Wednesday and Thursday on BOBCARD EMI

• Offer applicable on all available tenure (3 to 24 months) but No cost EMI on 3 & 6 months only.

• Velocity is Once per card per month per product

Ixigo

• Up to 12% instant off on Flight & Hotel Booking

• Use promocode IXIBOBEMI (Domestic Flights) and IXIBOBEMIN (International Flights)

• Offer valid all week long on 3 month No Cost EMI on flight and hotel bookings

• Velocity is Once per card per month per product.

Flipkart Travel

• Up to 20% Off on Domestic & International Flight & Hotel Booking

• Use Promocode: BOBEMIDOM for Domestics Flights & Hotels and BOBEMIINT for International Flights & Hotels

• Offer applicable every Saturday & Sunday till 28th June 2026

• Offer applicable on 3 months No Cost BOBCARD EMI

• Velocity: Once per card, per product, per month, per platform

 Yatra

• Up to 15% OFF on Flight & hotel booking

• Offer applicable on Monday and Tuesday on BOBCARD EMI

• Offer valid only on No Cost EMI Tenure 3 & 6 months

• Velocity is Once per card per month per product

Air India Maharaja Club Members Can Now Earn and Redeem Maharaja Points on Air India Express Flights

GURUGRAM, May 2026: 2026: Air India today announced a significant expansion of its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, enabling members to earn and redeem Maharaja Points on flights operated by Air India Express to over 55 destinations across South, Southeast and West Asia, in addition to Air India services.

This much-awaited enhancement reflects Air India Group’s continued focus on making Maharaja Points more relevant for frequent flyers, enabling members to unlock greater value on their journeys across both Air India and Air India Express’ expansive network.

Maharaja Club members can immediately begin earning Maharaja Points and Tier Points on Air India Express-operated flights when booking across multiple channels, including the Air India and Air India Express websites and mobile apps and through major travel agents.

Maharaja Club members will also have their Air India Express flights contribute to their tier progression, with eligible flights counting toward both minimum flight requirements and Tier Points accumulation, enabling members to accelerate reaching higher tiers of the programme.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, and Chairman, Air India Express, said: “Our focus is on continually expanding Maharaja Club in a way that ensures our loyal customers’ travel experiences across destinations contribute meaningfully to their relationship with the Air India group. The growing scale of the Air India Express network makes the introduction of accruals and redemptions on these flights both timely and important, addressing a long-standing expectation of our frequent flyers. It also reflects our aim to build Maharaja Points into a valuable currency over time.”

Maharaja Club members can accrue Maharaja Points on all Air India Express flights by entering their Maharaja Club ID at the time of booking. Maharaja Points for Air India Express flights cannot be claimed retrospectively in the current phase of the rollout.

Members can add their Maharaja Club ID during booking on Air India and Air India Express platforms, as well as select online travel partners. The addition or modification of Maharaja Club membership ID is not available at airport counters or contact centres in the current phase.

The Maharaja Points accrual framework applies to a wide range of bookings, including special fares for senior citizens, students, and armed forces personnel. Reward Points will be calculated on base fare and fuel surcharge, with accrual rates aligned to Air India to ensure a consistent and easy-to-understand earning structure.

For bookings made via the Air India Express website and mobile app, Red members will earn 8 Maharaja Points per INR 100 spent, Silver members will earn 10 points, Gold members 11 points, and Platinum members 12 points.

For bookings made through other channels including Traditional and Online Travel Agents (OTAs), Red members will earn 6 Maharaja Points per INR 100 spent, Silver members will earn 8 points, Gold members 9 points, and Platinum members 10 points.

Redemptions of Maharaja Points for Award Flights on Air India Express are currently available to members booking codeshare flights bearing Air India’s ‘AI’ designator code but which are operated by Air India Express, via the Air India website and mobile app.

For instance, a Maharaja Club member wants to fly from Delhi to Guwahati and searches for flight options on the Air India website or mobile app. On the flight selection page, they would find multiple flight options on the sector bearing ‘AI’ flight numbers, but a few of them may be operated by Air India Express under the codeshare agreement between the two carriers. The member can simply redeem their Maharaja Points for those flights in addition to the other flights operated by Air India.

Redemptions for Air India Express Award Flights start from 1,500 Maharaja Points, as illustrated in the following sample redemption pricing table: Bengaluru-Chennai – 1,500 points; Dimapur-Guwahati – 1,500 points; Bengaluru-Kozhikode – 2,000 points; Bengaluru-Goa – 2,500 points; Mumbai-Goa – 2,500 points; Bengaluru-Mumbai – 4,000 points; Ahmedabad-Kolkata – 4,500 points; Delhi-Bengaluru – 7,000 points; Amritsar-Dubai – 12,000 points; Mumbai-Abu Dhabi – 12,000 points; Kochi-Bahrain – 12,000 points; and Bengaluru-Bangkok – 12,000 points.

In the later phases of the integration, Maharaja Club members flying Air India Express will be extended a host of benefits such as priority check-in, priority boarding, Fly Prior, seat selection, and flexibility through cancellation and rescheduling fee waivers on eligible flights and services.

Air India debuts its first signature Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco, expanding global premium offering

Air India, India’s leading global airline, today announced the opening of its newest signature lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), called ‘The Maharaja Lounge’. Officially opening its doors to guests on May 23, the launch of the new lounge marks yet another pivot in the ongoing transformation of the airline’s product and service, extending the "new Air India experience" to one of its key international gateways.

Located near Gate A1 in the International Terminal at SFO, The Maharaja Lounge is spread over 3,300 sq. ft. and features luxurious, contemporary interiors that blend modern design sensibilities with elements rooted in Indian aesthetics. The lounge offers a seating capacity of 80 guests and is available to Air India’s First and Business Class guests, and Platinum and Gold members of the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty program. It also features a dedicated zone reserved exclusively for Air India’s First Class guests.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The opening of the Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco builds on the recent launch of our flagship lounge at Delhi, marking the beginning of a new generation of signature lounges for Air India. North America has long been a key pillar of Air India’s network, and our continued investments reflect both, this commitment and our ambition to introduce a new standard of travel experiences in the region in time to come.”

“As Air India continues to transform into a world-class global airline, we are focused on delivering a consistent, elevated experience across our network, blending modern luxury with the warmth and timeless appeal of Indian hospitality.”

Conceptualised by the award-winning global hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), The Maharaja Lounge is a refined expression of heritage seamlessly woven with luxury, offering guests an immersive introduction to India even before their journey begins. It mirrors the design philosophy of the recently launched flagship Maharaja Lounge in Delhi, positioning this as the second in a series of signature lounges envisioned by Air India. 

Design approach

Thoughtfully curated, the space brings together distinctive elements of the brand and Air India’s rich cultural legacy, creating an atmosphere that is warmly familiar yet exquisite. The hues of champagne, ivory, and deep reds mirror the brand’s colour palette. Brand motifs are integrated throughout the interiors, including the ‘Vista’ patterns on the walls and furniture. The lounge has been designed to evoke the essence of quintessential Indian hospitality, creating an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, and understated luxury for guests. To honour the airline's historical connection to the arts, the space features works by local artists that showcase regional heritage. Select installations also incorporate upcycled aircraft components, thoughtfully reimagined into contemporary art pieces.

The spatial elegance of the lounge is defined by the following curated zones, each designed to uplift the interior landscape.

• The Aviator’s Bar: The bar has a distinctive speakeasy vibe, anchored by a well-curated cellar of wines and whiskies hand-picked for the discerning traveller. The warm, rich hues of the space, coupled with the signature ceiling design, provide a sophisticated backdrop where aviation enthusiasts and global travellers alike can convene in an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Complementing this is a menu of thoughtfully crafted signature cocktails. For instance, the Maharaja Manhattan is a regal twist on the timeless Manhattan honouring the Maharaja of spices – black pepper.

• Tarmac View: The seating and dining sections of the Private Zone and the Business Class lounge overlook the tarmac offering enchanting views of aircraft taking off and landing. The immersive experience of ‘wine and dine with a view’ is perfect for both plane-spotters and curious travellers.

• Social Zone: Adjacent to the Aviator’s Bar is the lounge’s primary social zone, a space meticulously designed to foster a sense of community. This vibrant area captures the dynamic spirit of modern travel, offering an environment for guests to engage and connect. Configured to accommodate the natural “hustle” of a premier international hub, the seating arrangements encourage both spontaneous conversation and group interaction, while still offering pockets of privacy and a sense of exclusivity for more intimate moments.

• Dining Area: The Maharaja Lounge offers a curated and delightful dining experience for all guests, who can choose from a wide variety of Indian and international culinary delicacies including live cooking stations. The area includes a hot buffet island/counter, a cold counter and a beverage station serving a host of delicacies to choose from.

• Private Zone: Tucked into a serene corner of the lounge, this space is a sanctuary of understated luxury. Designed for heightened privacy and comfort, the Private Zone offers a more intimate setting with elevated service, allowing guests travelling First Class to relax, work, or unwind in a calm and discreet environment before their departure.

The second made-for-Air India Boeing 787-9, bearing registration mark VT-AWB, just touched down in Delhi

The second made-for-Air India Boeing 787-9, bearing registration mark VT-AWB, just touched down in Delhi after a non-stop flight from Charleston, United States. This brand-new aircraft sporting Air India’s new livery is a part of our effort to upgrade our widebody fleet and deliver a world-class premium experience to our guests on long-haul routes.

Air India commences twice daily services to Ludhiana (Halwara)

Air India today commenced operations to Ludhiana (Halwara), becoming the first airline to operate commercial services to the newly operational airport, connecting Ludhiana to Delhi and beyond to destinations around the world.

The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Ludhiana’s Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs today, and the return flight from Ludhiana departed at 0800 Hrs. 

Air India will operate two daily flights between Delhi and Ludhiana using its A320 family aircraft.

The new flights to and from Ludhiana are timed to offer seamless onward connectivity via Delhi to Air India’s international network, including to destinations such as London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham, enabling guests to travel seamlessly using a single ticket and unified baggage allowance, with through check-in of baggage. Air India guests will also enjoy the convenience of same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport to connect between their domestic and international flights. 

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND LUDHIANA (HALWARA)

FLIGHT #

CITY PAIR

DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

DAYS OF OPERATION

AI481

Delhi-Ludhiana (Halwara)

05:55

07:05

Daily

AI482

Ludhiana (Halwara)-Delhi

07:55

09:10

Daily

AI483

Delhi-Ludhiana (Halwara)

12:55

14:10

Daily

AI484

Ludhiana (Halwara)-Delhi

14:40

15:55

Daily

Air India flights to Ludhiana (Halwara) are available for booking across all channels, including Air India's official website (www.airindia.com), mobile app and through travel agents worldwide.