Japan is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Indian travellers, and getting there is set to become easier with Air India’s new non-stop service between Delhi and Osaka. Starting February 2, 2027, the airline will operate four weekly flights to Kansai International Airport, making it the only carrier to offer a direct connection between the two cities. The route opens up another gateway to Japan for Indian visitors planning culinary explorations, cultural experiences, and multi-city holidays, while also strengthening air links between the two countries.
Four Weekly Flights
Air India will operate the Delhi-Osaka service using its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with flights scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The outbound flight, AI360, will depart Delhi at 10.50 pm and arrive in Osaka at 9.50 am the following day. The return service, AI359, will leave Osaka at 11.50 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, reaching Delhi at 6.20 pm the same day. All timings are local.
The aircraft features 18 full-flat beds in Business Class and 241 seats in Economy Class. The overnight outbound schedule allows passengers to arrive in Osaka the following morning, leaving much of the day available for onward travel or exploring the city. The return service is timed to bring travellers back to Delhi by evening, with opportunities to connect to destinations across Air India’s domestic and international network.
Bookings for the new route are being progressively opened through Air India’s official website, mobile application, customer contact centre, airport ticketing offices, and authorised travel agents worldwide.
Explore Japan Beyond Tokyo
Osaka will become Air India’s second destination in Japan, following Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The airline currently operates daily flights between Delhi and Haneda, alongside four weekly services from Mumbai. The addition of Osaka gives travellers another direct entry point into the country, particularly useful for those planning itineraries across multiple Japanese cities.
Osaka is known for its food culture, shopping districts, and entertainment areas, while its location makes it a convenient base for exploring the wider Kansai region. Travellers can use the city as a starting point for visits to Kyoto, with its temples and traditional neighbourhoods, and Nara, known for its historic sites and free-roaming deer. The new connection could also make it easier to plan holidays that combine Japan’s major urban centres with cultural excursions beyond the capital.
The route also supports open-jaw itineraries, in which travellers fly into one city and return from another. Passengers can arrive in Osaka and depart from Tokyo, or follow the route in reverse, without having to retrace their journey to the original arrival airport. This offers greater flexibility for visitors following Japan’s popular Golden Route, which typically connects Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Rising Indian Demand
The launch comes amid growing interest in Japan among Indian tourists. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), more than 315,000 Indian visitors travelled to Japan in 2025, marking a 35 per cent increase over 2024 and a rise of nearly 80 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Leisure travel is contributing to this growth, with Japan attracting visitors through its seasonal landscapes, heritage sites, regional cuisines, and contemporary urban culture. Increasing business engagement and closer people-to-people ties between India and Japan are also supporting demand for travel between the two countries.
For Indian travellers, the new Delhi-Osaka service adds another option for reaching Japan without a connecting flight. It also gives those planning longer holidays greater flexibility when deciding where to begin and end their trips. With four weekly departures from Delhi, the route expands Air India’s Japan network while offering travellers a more direct way to explore destinations beyond Tokyo.
FAQs
1. When will Air India launch direct flights between Delhi and Osaka?
Air India will launch non-stop Delhi Osaka flights on February 2, 2027.
2. How many weekly flights will Air India operate between Delhi and Osaka?
The airline will operate four weekly flights in each direction.
3. What are the flight timings for Air India’s Delhi Osaka route?
Flight AI360 will depart Delhi at 10.50 pm and arrive in Osaka at 9.50 am the following day. Flight AI359 will depart Osaka at 11.50 am and reach Delhi at 6.20 pm.
4. Which aircraft will operate Air India’s Delhi Osaka flights?
The route will be served by the Boeing 787-8, featuring 18 full-flat Business Class beds and 241 Economy Class seats.
5. Can travellers fly into Osaka and return from Tokyo?
Yes. The new route allows travellers to book open-jaw itineraries, flying into Osaka and returning from Tokyo, or vice versa.
