Air India is starting its non stop flights from London to Ahmedabad on 15th August, celebrating India's 70th independence day. Earlier, Air India passengers flying between London and Ahmedabad had to stop at Mumbai or travel via Delhi. This non-stop service will reduce journey time by up to three and a half hours, each way. Non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Newark, New Jersey in the USA are being introduced, effective August 15, 2016.
This came after Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar along with other local organisations ran campaigns for several years to restart the direct or non stop flight and submitted petitons to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi during his visit to London in November 2015, promised the diaspora to restart the direct flight (eventually the non-stop flight), and made a special mention of CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar who pursuaded him to make this arrangement for the diaspora through continuous and tireless campaigns. The flights that started as direct (made a stop at Mumbai, where people did not have to change aircraft) will now be non-stop, without making any hault before Ahmedabad.
Customers will be able to experience direct flights on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft operating on these routes. The 18 Business Class seats offer the luxury of comfortable, flat beds to ensure passengers arrive fresh and relaxed at their destinations. The Economy class cabins boast of a seat pitch of 33 inches, and a good width of 17 inches.
Ms Tara Naidu Regional Manager UK & Europe for Air India stated “We are delighted to announce the introduction of non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Ahmedabad, a popular destination for the huge Gujarati community in the UK. We are excited to restart flights from London Heathrow to the USA. Both these direct flights commence from 15th August 2016 coinciding with India’s 70th Independence Day.”
Air India, a Star Alliance Member, now operates 5 flights from the UK, into India’s gateway cities, with the choice of seamless connections to over 50 domestic destinations within India. Passengers can take advantage of convenient onward international connections to Bangkok, Colombo, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Maldives, Melbourne, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney & Tokyo.
From London Heathrow to Ahmedabad – 4 times a week - Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun
From London Heathrow to New York – 3 times a week – Mon/Wed/Fri
