Virgin Atlantic and British Airways Boost India Services as Domestic Carriers Trail

In the wake recent announcement of Virgin Atlantic, a second daily service to Mumbai this winter, British Airways has swiftly unveiled plans for a third daily flight to Delhi, set to commence on April 20, 2025. This plan will increase British Airways’ weekly flights across India to 63, with five destinations, offering enhanced connectivity and the potential for cheap tickets from Canada to India.

Agreement on Bilateral Air Services

This expansion follows the freshly agreed Bilateral Air Services agreement, which increases the number of weekly flights between London Heathrow and Mumbai/Delhi to 70 from 56.

Current Operations and Fleet

British Airways now runs 56 flights per week, including three times daily to Mumbai, twice daily to Delhi, and daily service to Bengaluru. It competes with Virgin Atlantic on the Bengaluru route and maintains monopolies in Chennai and Hyderabad. The new Delhi service will be operated by the 787-8 Dreamliner, which has three classes. You can purchase Business class flight tickets to India with tripbeam to experience comfort and luxury.

New Flight Schedule

The new flight schedule is slated as follows, pending regulatory approvals:

BA136 LHR 16:30 – 05:35 (+1) DEL

BA137 DEL 07:40 – 12:50 LHR

Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations

Behind-the-scenes bilateral negotiations involve both formal documented agreements and informal understandings. Is there an unspoken agreement regarding slot allocations for Air India next season? With IndiGo’s recent widebody aircraft orders, could it position itself to secure London slots and commence operations ahead of the A350s’ arrival in 2027?

Strategic Considerations

Air India may potentially resort to purchasing slots as a last resort, depending on investment decisions. Looking beyond bilateral agreements, there’s potential for British Airways to expand operations to Gatwick, currently serving Ahmedabad, Goa, and Kochi. Emirates, known for its extensive London frequencies, might leverage multiple airport operations in the London area due to slot constraints at Heathrow.

Future Prospects

The outlook will become clearer in the coming 15 months. London remains a premier destination for Indian travellers, with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic focusing on the North American transfer market, supported by partnerships with American Airlines and Delta Airlines. For those looking to buy last minute flights from canada to India, it’s essential to monitor developments closely. Amid these developments, will Virgin Atlantic revisit its plans for flights between Manchester and Delhi, previously postponed from October 2020 due to the pandemic?

Also Read: Cabin Comfort and Baggage Guidelines: Air Canada’s Toronto to New Delhi Service