British Airways is marking a significant milestone in 2024: 100 years of flying to India. To celebrate this centenary, the airline is expanding its services with a new daily flight between Delhi and London Heathrow, starting on April 20, 2025. This addition will increase British Airways' weekly flights in India to 63, covering five major cities. The new route will be operated by the advanced Boeing 787-8 aircraft, offering passengers a choice of Club World, World Traveller Plus, and World Traveller cabins.
Expanding Presence in India
Currently, British Airways operates 56 flights per week in India. This includes three daily flights from Mumbai, two daily flights from Delhi, and daily services from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The new daily flight from Delhi will further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, providing more options for travelers.Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at British Airways, expressed his excitement about this development. "This marks a significant milestone for British Airways as we commemorate 100 years of operations in India. The introduction of a third daily flight from Delhi underscores our commitment to providing convenient travel options between India and London Heathrow, as well as access to our extensive global network spanning over 200 destinations," he said.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Moran Birger, Head of Sales Asia Pacific and Middle East at British Airways, highlighted the airline’s long-standing relationship with India. "As we embark on this historic year, we remain steadfast in our mission to elevate the travel experience for our passengers. We look forward to welcoming travelers on board our new flights and continuing to uphold our legacy of excellence," Birger added.The new daily flights from Delhi will offer favorable arrival times at London Heathrow, making it easier for passengers to connect to British Airways’ extensive network, which includes 26 destinations in the US alone. The provisional flight schedule is as follows:
- Flight Number: BA 136/137
- Departing LHR: 16:30*
- Arrival into Delhi: 05:35*
- Departing Delhi: 07:40*
- Arrival into LHR: 12:50*
- *Provisional timings at present.
Commitment to India
British Airways has a rich history of connecting the UK and India, with its first flight to New Delhi dating back to 1924. Over the years, the airline has continually invested in enhancing its services and customer experience in India. This includes the recent opening of a new global call center in Gurugram, which offers round-the-clock support to customers worldwide. The call center, known as CallBA, has doubled in size since 2019 and now houses 1,400 highly trained agents.Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, emphasized the importance of the Indian market. "British Airways has been flying to India since 1924, making it one of our longest-served and most valued destinations. This investment in our Customer Care team at CallBA is part of our vision to continually enhance and upgrade our customer service. As we continue to invest in our people and grow our customer service teams in the region, we remain committed to the country and its people as we build a better BA," Doyle said.
Future Prospects
The new daily flight from Delhi is just one part of British Airways' broader strategy to strengthen its presence in India. The airline is also exceeding pre-pandemic levels of flights to India, with the latest generation business class cabin now flying on routes to Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. This cabin features direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy, and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.In addition to expanding its flight schedule, British Airways has partnered with IndusInd Bank and Qatar Airways to launch a new multi-branded airline credit card. Starting in July, cardholders will be able to collect Avios and enjoy benefits such as fast-track services, meet-and-greet, and concierge services.
Conclusion
As British Airways celebrates 100 years of flying to India, the airline is committed to enhancing connectivity and customer satisfaction. The introduction of a new daily flight between Delhi and London Heathrow is a testament to this commitment. With a rich history and a promising future, British Airways continues to be a key player in the aviation industry, connecting people and places across the globe.