Air India on Thursday announced the launch of two new international routes as part of its continued expansion across Asia, introducing non-stop flights to Hanoi in Vietnam and Tokyo in Japan.
The airline said it will begin non-stop services between Delhi and Hanoi from May 1, 2026, making Hanoi its second destination in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City.
Additionally, Air India will launch non-stop flights between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda) starting June 15, 2026, expanding its connectivity to Tokyo alongside its existing services from Delhi.
Delhi–Hanoi flights to operate five times a week
The new Delhi–Hanoi service will operate five times a week, complementing Air India’s existing daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the airline, the two routes will allow travellers to plan open-jaw itineraries, enabling passengers to enter Vietnam through Hanoi and depart from Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa.
Air India will deploy its Airbus A320neo aircraft on the route, offering Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins. The new service will add 7,028 seats per month between India and Vietnam.
Flights to Vietnam will also provide convenient onward connections across Air India’s domestic and international network, including destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Mumbai–Tokyo flights to strengthen Japan connectivity
The new Mumbai–Tokyo (Haneda) service will operate four times a week using Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
The expansion follows the airline’s recent move to increase frequency on the Delhi–Tokyo (Haneda) route from four weekly flights to daily services. Since February 14, 2026, Air India has also upgraded aircraft on the route to the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, introducing Premium Economy cabins for the first time.
Passengers travelling on these services will experience upgraded cabin interiors, modern in-flight entertainment systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, and refreshed onboard meal and beverage options.
Codeshare partnership expands travel within Japan
Air India also offers expanded connectivity in Japan through its codeshare partnership with All Nippon Airways, a fellow member of the Star Alliance.
Through this partnership, travellers arriving at Tokyo Haneda Airport can connect onward to six major Japanese cities — Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka and Sapporo.
Demand from Indian travellers driving expansion
Commenting on the expansion, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, said the airline has significantly expanded its network across Southeast Asia and the Far East since its privatisation.
“Japan and Vietnam have both emerged as fast-growing destinations for Indian travellers, while India’s economic and commercial ties with both nations continue to deepen,” he said, adding that the new routes will support tourism, business travel and trade between the countries.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, more than 3.15 lakh Indians visited Japan in 2025, marking a 35 per cent increase over 2024 and nearly 80 per cent growth compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, Vietnam continues to gain popularity among leisure and corporate travellers due to strong tourism growth and rising Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) activity. The country recorded over 20 million international visitors in 2025, making it the third-most visited destination in Southeast Asia.