Air India drops Sydney-Melbourne tag flights: non-stop to Delhi
By Chris C., May 8 2015
Air India will ditch its domestic tag flights between Sydney and Melbourne to fly non-stop from both cities to Delhi, while at the same time launching a fourth weekly Sydney-Delhi service.
From May 17, Sydney-Delhi services will run on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while Melbourne-Delhi flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
But the change isn’t as positive as you’d think: Air India’s Boeing 787s currently fly to both Sydney and Melbourne six times per week – taking the route of either Delhi-Sydney-Melbourne-Delhi or Delhi-Melbourne-Sydney-Delhi.
That currently gives travellers in each city a total of three non-stop flights to Delhi each week along with three indirect flights via the other Australian capital – allowing them to travel with Air India when it suits their own schedule, even if there’s a short domestic transit.
With those tag flights axed, Melbourne drops from six to three weekly Air India flights while Sydney is reduced from six to four Air India services, even with the additional non-stop flight.
Travellers booked on flights affected by these changes will need to contact Air India on 1800 247 463 or their travel agent to discuss their travel plans.
As a member of the Star Alliance, Virgin Australia Velocity members can indirectly earn frequent flyer points on Air India flights – first by earning miles through Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer scheme and then converting those miles to Velocity Points.
Also read: Air India B787 business class review: Melbourne-Delhi
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
24 Mar 2014
Total posts 14
good - that means Sydney passengers won't have to risk another Air India aborted landing at Essendon instead of Tullamarine!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
Haven't heard of that before! How is this airline even allowed to operate? I've heard that the 787s are in a state already, not to mention their 77Ls.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Apr 2013
Total posts 143
Oh I heard it was Korean Air, not Air India.
Urban myth? or real?
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Jun 2013
Total posts 28
Think that was about 40 years ago, dg? I've flown AI 787's lately and yep, one of them was a bit shoddy but the other was as new and shiny as she should be. Lovely crew, good food, limited movie choice but a small matter. And Rishi, for maybe 2 months of the year, you're right but it's not AI's fault. The same issue applies to SQ or any other airlines wanting to land in Delhi over their very short winter period.
Ease up, guys!
24 Mar 2014
Total posts 14
Straight to Delhi with fingers and toes crossed that the pilot knows where Delhi is!! A bit more risky on the return leg to Sydney - keep your heads down in Newcastle haha
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 501
Don't worry at least the pilot won't take you to ISIS territory!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 501
Delhi is the worst place to transit in India, goddamn fog delays everything.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
With over 20 B787's in there fleet. AI should do a Daliy MEL & SYD serivce driect to Dehli. Come on this is just a joke.
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