Which Australian cities Air India serves
| Route | Frequency (northern winter 2026–27) | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne–Delhi | 7 a week, rising to 11 a week from 27 Oct 2026 | Boeing 777-300ER and 787-8 |
| Sydney–Delhi (AI301/302) | Daily, rising to 11 a week from 16 Dec 2026 | Boeing 787-8, with 777-300ER on some dates |
Both flights leave Australia in the evening and land in Delhi early the next morning. Departure times shift between seasons, and sources disagree on the exact Sydney time, so confirm it when you book. Air India started putting 777-300ER aircraft with upgraded cabins on the Melbourne route from 1 July 2026.
From Adelaide or Brisbane, you fly domestic to Melbourne or Sydney first. Ask us whether the domestic flight can go on the same booking for your fare. If it can't, allow at least three hours at the gateway, because Air India won't wait for a late flight on a separate ticket.
Routes to India and onward
Delhi is Air India's hub. All its international flights use Terminal 3, and from there it flies on to most Indian cities, including Amritsar, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi. Since 15 May 2026 it has also flown twice daily to the new Halwara airport near Ludhiana.
On one Air India ticket, your bags are tagged to the final city, but you still collect them in Delhi, clear immigration and customs, and drop them again before the domestic flight. Allow at least three hours, and more in December and January, when fog can delay flights out of Delhi.
Air India and Singapore Airlines are both Star Alliance members and expanded their codeshare in 2026, so some Singapore Airlines itineraries include Air India flights within India.
Economy baggage
Air India's checked baggage depends on the fare type (Value, Classic or Flex). The allowance varies by fare. Always check the allowance printed on the e-ticket. On one Air India ticket, the domestic flight in India normally follows the international allowance.
Official page: Air India checked baggage, South East Asia and Australia. Our baggage guide compares the main airlines.
What it's good for, and what to watch
Good for
- The shortest trip to North India. About 13 hours non-stop from Melbourne or Sydney, against 14–20 hours with a stop.
- Parents on Indian passports. There's no transit in a third country, so no transit visa questions on the way to Delhi. See our transit rules guide for other routes.
- Punjab and North India on one ticket, with a domestic connection to Amritsar, Chandigarh or Halwara.
Watch-outs
- Delhi connections take time. Customs and re-checking bags make a tight connection risky. Going to Amritsar, compare Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur too.
- Peak dates sell out early. The non-stops are popular for December and January, so book early or be ready to compare one-stop carriers.
- Baggage varies by fare. The cheapest fare may have a lower allowance than you expect.
- Special meals and wheelchair help should be requested at booking. We add them to the reservation for you.
Talk to a real person about Air India tickets
Fares and schedules change every day, so we don't publish prices on this page. For live fares on your dates, call or WhatsApp the Travel Care team on 0421 882 733. We're a family-run agency at 222 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville, booking flights since 2010, and we speak English, Hindi and Punjabi. Seen a cheaper fare somewhere else? Send us the screenshot and we'll see what we can do.
Last checked: 20 October 2026 by the Travel Care team.
