Air India launches Delhi-Osaka flights as demand for Japan travel soars

Air India is adding a second destination in Japan, launching non-stop flights between Delhi and Osaka from 2 February 2027.

The airline will operate the route four times a week with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, making it the only carrier offering non-stop flights between the two cities.

The new route, announced today (15 October) strengthens Air India’s presence in a market where passenger demand has been climbing steadily in recent years.

Japan is attracting record numbers of Indian visitors, driven by growing tourism, stronger business ties and increasing interest in destinations beyond Tokyo. According to Air India, more than 315,000 Indians travelled to Japan in 2025. This is up 35% on the previous year and almost 80% above pre-pandemic levels.

Air India adds second destination in Japan

Osaka joins Tokyo Haneda on Air India’s Japanese route map.

The airline currently flies daily between Delhi and Tokyo, alongside four weekly services between Mumbai and Tokyo. Adding Osaka gives passengers another gateway into Japan and increases Air India’s footprint in one of Asia’s most sought-after travel markets.

Flights from Delhi will leave late in the evening and arrive in Osaka the following morning. The return service departs Osaka before midday and lands back in Delhi the same evening.

For travellers, one of the biggest advantages is the ability to fly into Osaka and return from Tokyo, or vice versa.

That opens up more options for exploring Japan without backtracking. Many visitors already combine Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in a single trip, making open-jaw itineraries increasingly popular.

While Tokyo remains Japan’s primary international hub, Osaka has become one of the country’s fastest-growing visitor destinations.

As the gateway to the Kansai region, Osaka provides easy access to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, while attracting visitors with its food scene, shopping and cultural attractions.

The city has also been gaining attention among Indian travellers. Recent travel industry data shows searches for Osaka from India have risen sharply, reflecting growing interest in travelling beyond Tokyo.

For Air India, that presents an opportunity to tap into a market that is expanding year after year.

Japan travel demand continues to rise

Airlines throughout Asia have been increasing flights to Japan as visitor numbers continue to recover and demand spreads beyond the country’s traditional gateways. Osaka has been one of the main winners of that growth, attracting both holidaymakers and business traffic.

The strengthening economic relationship between India and Japan is also helping drive demand.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner to operate Delhi-Osaka route

Air India will deploy its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the route.

The aircraft is configured with 18 lie-flat Business Class seats and 241 Economy Class seats, providing capacity for 259 passengers per flight.

The 787 has become a key part of Air India’s international network and is widely used on the airline’s long-haul services across Asia, Europe and North America.

Delhi-Osaka flight schedule

The flights will launch on 2 February 2027, operating the following schedule:

All times are local time zones

What the new route means for Air India

The Osaka service is more than just another destination launch.

It gives Air India a stronger position in the growing India-Japan market, adds a second Japanese gateway to its network and offers travellers greater choice when planning trips across the country.

As competition for Asia-Pacific traffic intensifies, Air India is clearly looking to secure a larger share of a market that shows little sign of slowing down.