Announced 15 October 2026 (Gurugram).
The route
Air India announced the service on 15 October 2026. The 787-8 used on the route has 18 flat-bed Business Class seats and 241 Economy seats.
Published schedule (local times):
- AI360, Delhi to Osaka: departs 22:50 and arrives 09:50 the next day. Operates Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
- AI359, Osaka to Delhi: departs 11:50 and arrives 18:20 the same day. Operates Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
The airline says it is releasing seats for sale gradually through its website, app, contact centre, airport ticket offices and travel agents.
Fits with Tokyo
Air India already flies daily from Delhi and four times a week from Mumbai to Tokyo Haneda. Adding Osaka lets travellers book open-jaw trips: fly into Osaka and home from Tokyo, or the reverse. The airline links this to the popularity among Indian visitors of the “Golden Route” of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Demand context
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) figures show 315,100 visitor arrivals from India in January–December 2025, up 35.2% from 233,061 in 2024. JNTO marks the 2025 figures as preliminary estimates.
Why it matters
- For travellers: Air India says it will be the only airline flying Delhi–Osaka non-stop. Combined with the Tokyo flights, a full Golden Route trip no longer needs a domestic backtrack.
- For tour operators: Open-jaw Tokyo–Osaka packages become easier to put together for summer 2027 and spring 2027 cherry-blossom departures. Because the overnight Delhi departure arrives in the morning, the first day can be a sightseeing day.
- India is not on Japan’s visa-exemption list. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan says Japan “has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions”, and India is not among them, so Indian passport holders should plan for a visa. Check current requirements with the Embassy of Japan in India before booking.