Which Airlines Operate The Most Flights Between India & Europe?

Summary

  • India-Europe aviation market is bustling, with Air India leading with Boeing 787 & 777 for long-haul routes.
  • British Airways focuses on both business and leisure travelers with Boeing 777s and 787s to India.
  • Lufthansa uses Airbus A350s and Boeing 747-8s for Indian destinations, ensuring a luxurious flying experience.

The India-European aviation market is a bustling sector, with several airlines operating numerous flights between these regions. Based on data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, for August 2024, here’s a detailed analysis of the top carriers and the aircraft they use on these routes.

Top airlines by flight numbers

Airline

Flights

Seats

ASMs

Air India

812

226,632

941,370,992

British Airways

496

122,182

584,815,808

Lufthansa

416

137,538

568,263,985

Vistara

310

92,312

378,892,706

Virgin Atlantic

248

72,602

321,941,944

Air France

176

54,070

240,514,317

KLM

159

50,169

213,370,669

IndiGo

124

65,844

192,527,856

SWISS

124

29,264

115,505,008

Turkish Airlines

124

49,600

145,030,400

Air India

Air India leads the pack with 812 flights in August 2024. The airline predominantly uses Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777s for these long-haul routes, though it is also expected to fly its new Airbus A350s on these routes going forward. The Dreamliners, known for their fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, are well suited to these flights, offering a mix of business and economy class seating.

Air India Boeing 777-300ER

Photo: Carlos Judica | Shutterstock

Key routes include:

  • Delhi (DEL) to London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Zurich (ZRH), Vienna (VIE), Copenhagen (CPH), Milan (MXP), Amsterdam (AMS)
  • Mumbai (BOM) to London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Zurich (ZRH)
  • Bangalore (BLR) to London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA)
  • Hyderabad (HYD) to London (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS)
  • Kolkata (CCU) to London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS).

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Related

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As more and more of Air India’s crews become familiar with its new flagship type, the airline is deploying the A350 further and further away.

British Airways

British Airways, with 496 flights, primarily operates Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s on its routes to India. With a focus on both business and leisure travelers, it has equipped these aircraft with the latest amenities in an effort to ensure a comfortable journey for passengers.

British Airways Boeing 777-200ER landing

Photo: IanC66 | Shutterstock

Key routes include London (LHR) to Delhi (DEL), Bangalore (BLR), Mumbai (BOM), and Chennai (MAA).

Lufthansa

Operating 416 flights to destinations in India, Lufthansa uses a combination of Airbus A350s and Boeing 747-8s. The A350s are celebrated for their advanced aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, while the Boeing 747-8, often referred to as the “Queen of the Skies,” offers a spacious and luxurious flying experience.

A Lufthansa Boeing 747 taking off

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Key routes include Frankfurt (FRA) to Delhi (DEL), Hyderabad (HYD), Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), and Mumbai (BOM).

Vistara

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, operates 310 flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Known for its premium service, Vistara’s Dreamliners feature a three-class configuration, including business, premium economy, and economy classes.

Vistara Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Photo: BoeingMan777 | Shutterstock

Key routes include:

  • Delhi (DEL) to London (LHR), Paris (CDG), and Frankfurt (FRA)
  • Mumbai (BOM) to Paris (CDG) and Frankfurt (FRA)

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic, with 248 flights, primarily uses Airbus A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners for routes between Europe and India. The airline is renowned for its innovative cabin designs and high-quality in-flight services. Major routes include London (LHR) to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM).

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Air France

From its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG0), Air France operates 176 flights to destinations in India using a mix of Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s. Both aircraft types offer enhanced passenger comfort on these long-haul routes and are equipped with modern entertainment systems and spacious seating.

Mumbai, Maharashtra - India - September 13 2018: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, formerly known as Sahar International Airport, is the primary international airport.

Photo: Ultimate Travel Photos | Shutterstock

Key routes include Paris (CDG) to Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Bangalore (BLR).

KLM

KLM operates 159 flights, utilizing Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777s. The Dutch carrier ensures a comfortable flying experience for its passengers on these long-haul routes with state-of-the-art aircraft and exceptional in-flight services. Key routes include Amsterdam (AMS) to Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Bangalore (BLR).

SWISS

SWISS operates 124 flights using Airbus A330s and A340s. These aircraft are designed for long-haul flights connecting their Zurich hub with destinations in India, offering a comfortable journey with advanced in-flight entertainment systems and ample legroom.

A SWISS Boeing 777-300ER taking off.

Photo: Robert Buchel | Shutterstock

Key routes include Zurich (ZRH) to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM).

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines also has 124 flights between India and Europe in August 2024. It utilizes its fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s for Europe-to-India routes. The airline is known for its superior in-flight service and comfortable seating configurations. Key routes include Istanbul (IST) to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM).

The evolution of India-European air travel

Growth drivers

The rapid growth of air travel between India and Europe can be attributed to several factors, including increased business ties, tourism, and the growing Indian diaspora in Europe. Additionally, the rise of low-cost carriers like IndiGo has made international travel more accessible to a broader audience.

IndiGo Airbus A321neo landing shutterstock_2253683105

“Airline-wise the Indian aviation market for 2024 will continue to be dominated by IndiGo, which ended 2023 with an average market share north of 60%. This was followed by the Tata owned airlines namely Air India, Vistara, AIX Connect (erstwhile AirAsia India) with a market share of 26%, and overall 2024 promises to be yet another exciting year for Indian aviation.” CNBC

Future prospects

Wizz Air is considering launching direct flights between European cities and India, using its soon-to-be-delivered Airbus A321XLR fleet. Their CEO, József Váradi, hinted at the airline’s interest in connecting six or seven European cities with destinations in India in the near future.

Related

Suited For The Airbus A321XLR: Wizz Air Plans For Nonstop Flights Between Europe & India

Wizz Air had previously noted the possibility of flying direct between Delhi and London with the range of the A321XLR.

Rising competition

As the demand for air travel between India and Europe continues to increase, airlines like Lufthansa are enhancing their service offerings to capture a larger market share. Carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways, though not based in Europe, also play significant roles by providing connecting flights through their Middle Eastern hubs. This growing competition will hopefully encourage innovation, improved services, more choices, and better passenger flight experiences.

Air India Boeing 787

Photo: Jake Hardiman | Simple Flying

The India-to-Europe flight sector is a dynamic and rapidly growing market, with numerous airlines competing to offer the best services. As the aviation industry continues evolving and expanding route offerings, the connectivity between India and Europe will only likely grow stronger.

Which airlines have you flown on between India and Europe? Share your experiences by commenting below.

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