US carrier Delta has announced a non-stop flight between New York and Mumbai from December 22 and Air India is considering a second service between Delhi and New York in the winter schedule giving passengers more direct travel options.
Currently, Air India and United operate non-stop flights between India and the US and the route is dominated by carriers from West Asia and Europe which control over 70 per cent market share. Over five million passengers flew between the two countries in FY 2019.
“Delta’s non-stop service between New York and Mumbai is the latest example of our international growth as we strive to connect the world better than any other airline,” the airline’s chief executive officer Ed Bastain said in a statement. Delta will operate a Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft with a three-class configuration (business, premium economy and economy) on the route and will offer passengers wi-fi connectivity and free mobile messaging.