Osaka, Japan. Photo: Air India Air India will launch four weekly non-stop flights between Delhi and Osaka on February 2, 2027, becoming the only airline operating directly on the route, according to the airline.
The new service will connect India's capital with Kansai International Airport using Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Osaka will become Air India's second destination in Japan after Tokyo Haneda, where the carrier currently operates daily flights from Delhi and four weekly services from Mumbai.
The expansion comes as travel between India and Japan continues to grow, supported by tourism, business ties and cultural exchanges. Air India says the new route will offer travellers more options for reaching Japan while strengthening connections between the two countries.
Air India. Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.comThe Boeing 787-8 assigned to the route has 18 full-flat beds in Business Class and 241 Economy Class seats.
Flight AI360 will depart Delhi at 10:50 p.m. and arrive in Osaka at 9:50 a.m. the following day. The service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The return flight, AI359, will leave Osaka at 11:50 a.m. and arrive in Delhi at 6:20 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. All times are local.
The schedule is designed to provide onward connections through Air India's domestic and international network. The addition of Osaka will also allow travellers to book open-jaw itineraries, flying into Osaka and returning from Tokyo, or the reverse, without having to retrace their journey.
This flexibility may appeal to visitors planning trips along Japan's popular Golden Route, which typically includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Bookings for the new service are being progressively opened through Air India's website and mobile app, customer contact centre, airport ticket offices and travel agents worldwide.
Japan is attracting more Indian visitors as interest in its food, cultural attractions and leisure experiences increases. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, more than 315,000 Indian travellers visited Japan in 2025, up 35% from 2024 and nearly 80% above pre-pandemic levels.
Air India's Osaka service adds another direct connection between the two countries as airlines respond to rising demand and closer economic and tourism links.
The new flights will expand Air India's Japanese network beyond Tokyo and provide another option for travellers visiting western Japan, including Osaka and nearby Kyoto.