If your year-end travel plans involve getting out of India, there are more options to consider than the usual flight routes through Dubai, Doha or Singapore. From a new non-stop connection to Tokyo to direct
services linking Indian cities with Europe, Africa and North America, airlines have been expanding their international networks in 2026.
The biggest advantage? Several destinations that once involved a long layover can now be reached on a single flight. Whether you’re planning a winter break in Europe, a city holiday in Asia or a trip home to see family, here are the new direct international routes from India worth knowing about.
Delhi and Mumbai to Athens, Greece
Greece has become easier to reach from India, thanks to IndiGo’s direct services connecting Athens with both Delhi and Mumbai. Introduced in January 2026, these flights operate three times a week on each route, using the airline’s Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
The Mumbai-Athens service departs at 9:50 am and arrives at 2:15 pm local time. The return flight leaves Athens at 3:25 pm and reaches Mumbai at 2 am the following day. From Delhi, flights depart at 9:10 am and land in Athens at 2:25 pm. The return service leaves at 4 pm, arriving in the national capital at 3:10 am the next day.
Bengaluru to Zurich, Switzerland
For travellers dreaming of a Swiss winter, SWISS has introduced a direct Bengaluru-Zurich connection. The service began on October 28, 2026, and operates five times a week.
Flight LX141 departs Bengaluru at 4:50 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, reaching Zurich at 10:50 am. The return service, LX140, leaves Zurich at 1:20 pm and arrives in Bengaluru at 2:55 am the following day, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Chennai to Réunion Island
If your idea of a year-end escape involves volcanic landscapes, beaches and rainforest trails, Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean deserves a look. IndiGo began operating direct flights between Chennai and this French overseas territory on April 29, making it the only Indian airline to offer a non-stop connection to the island.
The service operates three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights leave Chennai at 12:20 pm and arrive at 5:10 pm local time. The return flight departs Réunion at 6:10 pm and reaches Chennai at 2:10 am the following day. The flight takes approximately six hours and 20 minutes.
Mumbai to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Japan
Air India added a direct Mumbai-Tokyo Haneda service on June 15, 2026. The four-times-weekly flight gives travellers from Mumbai another non-stop option to Japan, complementing the airline’s existing Delhi-Tokyo connectivity.
The route is operated by a Boeing 787-8. Flight AI356 departs Mumbai at 4:50 pm and arrives in Haneda at 4:55 am the next day. The return flight, AI355, leaves Tokyo at 8:50 am and lands in Mumbai at 2:20 pm. The flight days differ slightly in each direction, so check the airline’s schedule when booking.
Kolkata to Shanghai, China
Travellers from eastern India now have a direct connection to Shanghai. IndiGo launched daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and the Chinese city on March 29, 2026. Flight 6E1709 departs Kolkata at 9:45 pm and arrives in Shanghai at 4:40 am the next morning. The return service leaves Shanghai at 5:40 am and reaches Kolkata at 9:05 am. The route is operated using an Airbus A320.
The connection is significant for both leisure and business travellers, offering a direct link to one of China’s major commercial centres without the need to change planes at another airport.
Delhi to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mongolia is another destination that has become more accessible from India. Hunnu Air launched a direct Delhi-Ulaanbaatar service on September 28, 2026, reducing what could previously be a long journey involving one or more stopovers. The weekly service operates on Mondays using an Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, with Economy Class seating. The non-stop journey takes a little over five hours, making it a more practical option for travellers interested in Mongolia’s vast landscapes, nomadic culture and winter experiences.
Delhi to Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam is getting another direct link with India. Air India began non-stop flights between Delhi and Hanoi on May 1, 2026, adding the Vietnamese capital to its network after Ho Chi Minh City. The service operates five times a week. Flights from Delhi depart at 1:20 am and arrive in Hanoi at 7:20 am, while the return service leaves Hanoi at 8:20 am and reaches Delhi at 11:35 am. The new connection also makes it easier to plan a multi-city Vietnam holiday, flying into Hanoi and returning to India from Ho Chi Minh City, or the other way around.
Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, UAE
Air India Express introduced direct flights between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Abu Dhabi on July 15, 2026, marking the airport’s first international service. The route initially operated twice a week before expanding to three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from July 29.
Indore to Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi is also more accessible from central India, with Air India Express introducing a direct Indore connection. The service operates four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the flight departs Indore at 7:50 pm and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 9:35 pm local time. On Sundays, it leaves at 8:50 pm and lands at 10:35 pm. The return flight operates late at night, reaching Indore in the early hours of the following day.
Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE
Air India Express expanded its international network in the Northeast with direct flights from Guwahati to two UAE destinations. The Guwahati-Dubai service began on August 4, 2026, while the Guwahati-Abu Dhabi route followed on August 7.
At launch, the Dubai service operated on Tuesdays, departing Guwahati at 12:25 pm and arriving at 4:10 pm. The Abu Dhabi flight operated on Fridays, leaving at 11:30 am and landing at 3:15 pm. These were announced as weekly services, giving passengers from Assam and neighbouring states new international travel options.
Mumbai to Toronto, Canada
For those planning a winter trip to Canada or travelling to meet family, Air India has added a seasonal non-stop Mumbai-Toronto service for the 2026-27 winter schedule. The three-times-weekly service began on October 25 and is scheduled to operate until March 26, 2027, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight AI193 departs Mumbai at 4 am and arrives in Toronto at 10 am local time. The return flight, AI192, leaves Toronto at 12:30 pm and reaches Mumbai at 2:10 pm the following day.
