NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, June 2, 2025: Delta Air Lines has announced a major strategic partnership with India’s leading carrier IndiGo, alongside Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, in a move aimed at significantly enhancing air connectivity between India, Europe, and North America. The announcement includes plans to resume Delta’s nonstop flights between Atlanta and Delhi, a route that was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and consideration of a new route between Atlanta and Hyderabad.
The memorandum of understanding, signed on June 1, 2025, brings together the strengths of each airline partner. IndiGo offers one of the largest domestic networks within India, while Delta, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic collectively operate hundreds of flights across Europe and North America. The partnership will allow for codeshare agreements, enabling passengers to enjoy seamless connections between multiple cities in the three regions.
“There’s not a more important market in aviation at the present time than in India,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian, highlighting the growing demand for air travel between the U.S. and India, especially among business travelers, students, and the Indian diaspora.
Delta’s direct Atlanta to Delhi service is expected to resume within the next two years, pending regulatory approvals. The airline is preparing to deploy Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on this ultra-long-haul route. The advanced aircraft are capable of flying longer distances while remaining efficient, an important factor given ongoing airspace restrictions over Russia and Iran.
In addition to the Delhi service, Delta is reportedly exploring a potential nonstop route between Atlanta and Hyderabad. Telangana state officials have initiated discussions with the airline, pointing to the increasing demand for direct flights between the southern Indian tech hub and the southeastern U.S., which is home to a growing Indian American population.
For Atlanta’s Indian American community, these developments mark a significant step forward in improving accessibility and travel convenience. With IndiGo providing extensive domestic connections within India, travelers departing from Atlanta will soon be able to reach a wide range of Indian cities with fewer layovers and shorter travel times.
Delta previously operated nonstop service between New York and Mumbai, which was halted during the pandemic. Its reentry into the Indian market signals renewed confidence in U.S.-India aviation demand and is aligned with broader efforts by U.S. carriers to strengthen ties with Indian airlines.
More details regarding flight schedules and ticket availability are expected to be released as regulatory processes move forward.
