Star Alliance member Air India is offering flights to many Indian cities from New York City and Chicago starting at US$629 (~€536). The destinations include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and even Goa (plus many others). These fares include two checked bags.
Air India still overflies Russia on its flights between the US and India. While this shortens the flight time significantly, many Americans consider it a security risk, including the United CEO. He did predict the future as a few days later, a Mumbai – San Francisco flight diverted to remote Siberia. While some passengers complained about the logistics, luckily the situation didn’t end up similarly to the Belarussian incident, nor had any bad implications for US citizens.
The following destinations are available from New York:
- Delhi at US$629 (~€536) (non-stop)
- Mumbai at US$632 (~€538) (non-stop)
- Chennai at US$636 (~€542)
- Kochi at US$638 (~€543)
- Bangalore at US$650 (~€554)
- Hyderabad at US$650 (~€554)
- Kolkata at US$651 (~€555)
- Goa at US$737 (~€628)
- Udaipur at US$762 (~€649)
- possibly more..
The following destinations are available from Chicago:
- Delhi at US$743 (~€633) (non-stop)
- Mumbai at US$748 (~€637)
- Chennai at US$750 (~€639)
- Kochi at US$752 (~€641)
- Hyderabad at US$764 (~€651)
- Bangalore at US$764 (~€651)
- Kolkata at US$765 (~€652)
- Goa at US$851 (~€725)
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore for up to 28 days. It will forward you to Momondo with your selected flight dates. You can also check out Air India’s website, where prices are only a little higher.
Depending on your route, you would fly Boeing 787s or Boeing 777s. While all Dreamliners and most 777s have 3-3-3 seating, some ex-Etihad B777-300ERs have a 3-4-3 configuration. We recommend checking the seat map before booking. Air India is currently on a renewal program and they ordered hundreds of new planes from Airbus and Boeing.
Search & Book
The fare rules do not state how long this fare will remain valid. There is a minimum stay of 3 nights or a Saturday night and a maximum stay of 3 months.
You can use our calendar above that will show you availabilities. Once you selected your dates, it will forward you to Momondo with your preselected flight dates. With all its disadvantages, it may be worth it to book through online travel agencies (OTAs), since they offer more availabilities and are easier to use in addition to being cheaper. If you want to be on the safe side, you can check out Air India’s website.
You can also search more specifically on Google Flights (instructions) for example by setting filters. You can then use our Go2 browser extension to book your flights.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Air India issues these tickets in booking class S. This is what a trip from New York to Delhi, booked on OTAs would earn you:
- 7,304 Award Miles + 1,000 PQP on United MileagePlus
- 7,304 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 7,304 Miles on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 7,304 Miles on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 7,304 Award Miles + 3,652 Tier Miles on Avianca LifeMiles
- 7,304 Points + 1,460 SQC on Air Canada Aeroplan 2026
- Customize Calculation
You can calculate your own earnings with the help of our mileage calculator. We also have a status calculator, which can help you decide which status should you aim for or which status does your next trip helps achieve. Or use our program mileage calculator that calculates your earnings based on your current status and routing:
See instructions on our status calculator‘s page.
Destination
Hotel prices in India usually start at roughly US$20 (~€17), depending on the hotel category. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for Delhi
Delhi, India’s capital, is known for historic sites like the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar, as well as vibrant markets and cultural districts. The local currency is the Indian rupee (INR), and cash is widely used, though cards and digital payments are increasingly common. Prices are generally low by international standards, making it a budget-friendly destination. The weather is extreme—very hot in summer (April–June), with a monsoon season from July to September, and cooler, more comfortable weather from October to March.
→ All Dealz for Delhi
Information & Tips for Mumbai
Mumbai, India’s financial and cultural hub, offers attractions like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and the Elephanta Caves. The local currency is the Indian rupee (INR), and credit cards are widely accepted, though cash is still commonly used. The price level can vary, with affordable street food and budget accommodations, but higher-end restaurants and hotels can be expensive. Mumbai’s weather is typically hot and humid, with a monsoon season from June to September and a cooler, more pleasant climate from November to February, which is ideal for visiting.
→ All Dealz for Mumbai
Information & Tips for India
India is a large and diverse country with major tourist sights like the Taj Mahal in Agra, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan, the backwaters of Kerala, and spiritual cities like Varanasi and Rishikesh. The currency used is the Indian Rupee (INR). Prices vary widely—budget travel is possible, but mid-range and luxury options are also common, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Weather depends heavily on region and season: winters (Nov–Feb) are generally pleasant, while summers (Mar–June) can be extremely hot, and the monsoon (June–Sept) brings heavy rainfall in many parts.
India’s transport infrastructure is a mix of modern and outdated systems. Within cities, getting around can be chaotic but manageable—options include auto-rickshaws, taxis, metro systems in larger cities like Delhi and Mumbai, and app-based services like Uber and Ola. Between cities, India has an extensive railway network that’s affordable but often crowded and prone to delays; domestic flights are common and relatively inexpensive for longer distances. Roads connect most places, but traffic and conditions can be unpredictable.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel and SimOptions. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for India 🇮🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for India
Cover Picture: © Kriangkrai