The new four-times-weekly service will connect India’s capital with Japan’s Kansai region, opening up more travel options for tourists and business travellers and supporting multi-city itineraries across Japan.
Air India will launch non-stop flights between Delhi and Osaka on 2 February 2027, expanding its network in Japan and creating a direct air link between the two cities. The airline says it will be the only carrier operating non-stop services on the Delhi–Osaka route.
The new service will operate four times a week to Kansai International Airport using Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Osaka will become Air India’s second destination in Japan after Tokyo Haneda, where the airline currently operates daily flights from Delhi and four weekly services from Mumbai.
The route is expected to offer additional travel options for Indian holidaymakers, corporate travellers and passengers visiting friends and family, as tourism and commercial ties between India and Japan continue to develop.
Flight schedule and onboard offering
Air India’s new service, AI360, is scheduled to depart Delhi at 10:50 pm and arrive in Osaka at 9:50 am the following day. The return flight, AI359, is scheduled to leave Osaka at 11:50 am and reach Delhi at 6:20 pm on the same day. All times are local.
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival | Operating days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI360 | Delhi–Osaka | 10:50 pm | 9:50 am (+1 day) | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday |
| AI359 | Osaka–Delhi | 11:50 am | 6:20 pm | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
The flights will use Air India’s Boeing 787-8, configured with 18 full-flat beds in Business Class and 241 seats in Economy Class.
The schedule is designed to provide onward connectivity through Delhi to destinations across Air India’s domestic and international network. Passengers should check the airline’s booking system for the latest schedules, operating days and connection options.
Greater flexibility for Japan itineraries
The addition of Osaka will give travellers more flexibility when planning journeys around Japan. Passengers may be able to fly into Osaka and return from Tokyo, or travel in the opposite direction, using open-jaw itineraries rather than retracing their route to the original arrival city.
This arrangement can be particularly useful for visitors following Japan’s popular Golden Route, which commonly links Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Travellers can explore the capital’s urban attractions, visit Kyoto’s historic temples and cultural districts, and continue to Osaka for its food scene and entertainment before departing from a different gateway.
Osaka also provides access to the wider Kansai region, including Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, making the new connection relevant to both first-time visitors and repeat travellers looking to explore beyond Tokyo.
Growing demand for travel between India and Japan
Air India’s route announcement comes amid rising interest in Japan among Indian travellers. According to figures cited by the airline from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), more than 315,000 Indian visitors travelled to Japan in 2025, representing an increase of 35% over 2024 and nearly 80% above pre-pandemic levels.
Japan’s cultural attractions, cuisine, shopping, seasonal landscapes and transport network have helped broaden its appeal as a holiday destination. Business links and people-to-people exchanges also contribute to demand between the two countries.
The additional non-stop connection could make travel planning more convenient by reducing the need for connecting flights through other international hubs. Actual journey times and onward connections will depend on the passenger’s itinerary.
Bookings and travel planning
Air India says bookings for the Delhi–Osaka flights are being progressively made available through its official website, mobile app, customer contact centre, airport ticket offices and travel agents.
Travellers planning a trip for February 2027 or later should confirm availability, fares, baggage allowances and schedule details directly with the airline before finalising their arrangements.
The new route represents a further expansion of Air India’s Japan network and offers travellers another direct option for reaching the Kansai region. For tourism businesses, it also creates an additional opportunity to develop India–Japan holiday packages and multi-city itineraries.
