After a long absence from Israeli skies, Air India is set to return next month with direct flights from Tel Aviv to New Delhi, offering ticket prices not seen in years.
The airline, which suspended operations to Israel on October 7, attempted two brief relaunches in 2024 and 2025, both disrupted by regional security events. Although flights were initially scheduled to resume in September, those were postponed—making next month’s planned restart the most concrete return to date.
With El Al having suspended service to India since 2020, Israeli travelers have been left without a direct connection to one of the Far East’s most popular destinations.
Air India, the national carrier of India, will operate four nonstop flights per week to New Delhi using Boeing 777 aircraft through April 2026. These planes include first class, business and economy cabins. Flights will depart Ben-Gurion Airport on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
From April 2026, the airline will upgrade to Boeing 787 Dreamliners and expand to five weekly flights, operating Sunday through Thursday. The Dreamliner features business and economy classes. Flights from Tel Aviv to New Delhi will depart at 11:40 a.m. and land at 8:50 p.m. Return flights will leave Delhi at 7 a.m. and arrive in Tel Aviv at 9:55 a.m. The expected flight time is approximately five and a half hours.
In addition to the direct New Delhi route, the airline will offer one-stop connections to Mumbai, Goa, Kathmandu, Bangkok and Phuket.
Sample round-trip fares include:
- Tel Aviv–New Delhi (nonstop): From $660, for travel between Jan. 10–24
- Tel Aviv–Mumbai (1 stop): From $446, Feb. 4–24
- Tel Aviv–Goa (1 stop): From $565, Jan. 10–24
- Tel Aviv–Kathmandu (1 stop): From $861, Jan. 13–27
- Tel Aviv–Bangkok (1 stop): From $1,180; Phuket from $972, both Jan. 13–27
Competition is expected to heat up, especially for routes to Thailand. Arkia recently launched a direct Tel Aviv–Bangkok line and announced it will begin flying to Phuket this summer.