Air India Delhi Osaka Flights 2027: Direct Non-Stop Service Launches 2 February
Air India’s direct Delhi to Osaka non-stop service launches 2 February 2027, operating four times a week on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 18 lie-flat Business Class seats and 241 Economy seats — making it the only airline flying direct between Delhi and Osaka.
Air India is launching direct non-stop flights between Delhi and Osaka from 2 February 2027 — four times a week on a Boeing 787-8. This makes Air India the only airline operating a direct Delhi–Osaka route, giving Indian travellers a non-stop connection to Kansai for the first time.
Air India Delhi Osaka flights will operate as the carrier’s second Japan destination after Tokyo Haneda, and the timing could not be better. Over 315,000 Indian visitors travelled to Japan in 2025 — up 35% from 2024 and nearly 80% above pre-pandemic levels. The new route acknowledges that demand is real, sustained, and growing fast. For Indian travellers who have been forced to connect through Bangkok, Singapore, or other hubs to reach Osaka, this is a major upgrade.
The service will be operated on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft offering 18 lie-flat Business Class seats and 241 Economy seats. Bookings are opening in stages through Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre, airport ticket offices, and authorised travel agents.
Air India Delhi Osaka Flights: Schedule and Route Details
The Air India Delhi Osaka service runs four weekly round trips, with outbound and return operating on different days to allow flexible multi-day itineraries.
| Detail | Delhi → Osaka (AI360) | Osaka → Delhi (AI359) |
|---|---|---|
| Departure | 10:50 PM | 11:50 AM |
| Arrival | 9:50 AM (next day) | 6:20 PM |
| Operating Days | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
| Airport (Osaka) | Kansai International (KIX) | Kansai International (KIX) |
| Airport (Delhi) | Indira Gandhi International (DEL) | Indira Gandhi International (DEL) |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787-8 | Boeing 787-8 |
| Business Class | 18 lie-flat seats | 18 lie-flat seats |
| Economy | 241 seats | 241 seats |
The overnight outbound flight — departing Delhi at 10:50 PM and arriving Osaka at 9:50 AM — is ideal for Indian travellers who want to maximise their time in Japan. You leave Delhi at night and wake up in Osaka, ready to explore. The return departs Osaka at 11:50 AM and lands in Delhi at 6:20 PM, making it a comfortable same-day return.
Why Air India Delhi Osaka Flights Matter for Indian Travellers
The Air India Delhi Osaka launch is strategically timed. Until now, Indian passport holders wanting to visit Kansai — which includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe — had no direct flight option from India. Every route involved at least one connection, adding cost, time, and complexity.
Kansai is a distinct travel experience from Tokyo. Osaka is Japan’s food capital — takoyaki, ramen, and kushikatsu culture is deeply embedded here. Kyoto, just 15 minutes away by shinkansen, holds over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Nara has free-roaming deer. The entire Kansai region is compact, walkable, and far less crowded than Tokyo.
Air India also allows multi-city trip planning. Indian travellers can now fly into Osaka on the Delhi–Osaka route and fly back to Delhi from Tokyo Haneda on Air India’s existing daily service — exploring western and eastern Japan in a single trip without backtracking to the same city.
| Air India Japan Network (Post February 2027) | |
|---|---|
| Delhi → Tokyo Haneda | Daily |
| Mumbai → Tokyo Haneda | 4 flights per week |
| Delhi → Osaka Kansai (NEW) | 4 flights per week |
Japan Visa for Indian Travellers: What You Need to Know in 2026–27
Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Japan — Japan does not offer visa-on-arrival for Indian nationals. Here is what you need to know before booking Air India Delhi Osaka flights.
1 — Japan eVisa is available for eligible Indian applicants
Eligible Indian residents can apply for a Japan eVisa for short-term tourism online. This is faster than the traditional paper application. However, the eVisa does not cover every travel purpose, so confirm your travel category before applying.
2 — Single and multiple entry visa fee is ₹500
The Japan visa fee for Indian nationals is ₹500 for both single and multiple entry, excluding the VFS Global service fee. This is one of the most affordable visa fees for any developed country.
3 — Transit visa rules changed from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, Japan eliminated the separate transit visa category. Indian passport holders transiting Japan should verify which short-term visa category covers their specific itinerary before travel.
4 — Apply well in advance
Japan visa processing times vary. A flight booking does not guarantee visa approval. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your departure date. Use the official VFS Japan portal or the Japanese Embassy website for applications.
Practical Tips for Indians Flying Delhi to Osaka
1 — Book Air India Delhi Osaka flights early for the best fares
The route launches 2 February 2027 and no fares have been published yet. Book as soon as fares go live on airindia.com. Introductory fares on new routes are typically the lowest you will find.
2 — UPI does not work in Japan — carry Japanese Yen
Indian UPI, PhonePe, and Google Pay are not accepted in Japan. Japan remains a largely cash-based country outside of major tourist areas. Carry Japanese Yen (JPY) exchanged before departure or withdraw from 7-Eleven ATMs in Japan, which reliably accept international cards.
3 — Get a Japan IC card at Kansai Airport
Pick up an ICOCA card (the Kansai equivalent of Delhi’s Metro card) at Kansai Airport on arrival. It works on all trains, buses, and the metro across Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara — and even at many convenience store checkouts.
4 — Book shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo in advance
If you plan to use the Air India multi-city option — fly into Osaka, explore Kansai, then return from Tokyo — book your Nozomi shinkansen ticket in advance. The Osaka–Tokyo journey takes 2.5 hours. A reserved seat costs approximately ¥13,870 (~₹7,900).
5 — Travel insurance is essential for Japan
Japan has high healthcare costs. Medical treatment for even a minor incident can cost tens of thousands of rupees. Purchase comprehensive travel insurance before flying. SafetyWing offers plans from approximately USD 1.50/day.
FAQs — Air India Delhi Osaka Flights 2027
Q1: When do Air India’s direct Delhi to Osaka flights start?
Air India’s direct Delhi to Osaka flights launch on 2 February 2027. The service operates four times a week — outbound on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday; return on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The aircraft is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with lie-flat Business Class and Economy seating. Air India will be the only airline offering a direct non-stop Delhi–Osaka connection at launch.
Q2: How long is the Air India Delhi to Osaka flight?
The AI360 Delhi to Osaka flight departs at 10:50 PM and arrives at 9:50 AM the following day — an approximate flight time of around 9–10 hours. The return AI359 departs Osaka at 11:50 AM and arrives Delhi at 6:20 PM, approximately 8–9 hours flying time. Exact flight durations may vary based on routing and winds.
Q3: Do Indian passport holders need a visa to fly Delhi to Osaka?
Yes. Indian passport holders require a Japan visa — Japan does not offer visa-on-arrival to Indian nationals. Eligible Indian residents can apply for a Japan eVisa for tourism online. The visa fee is ₹500 (single or multiple entry) plus VFS service charges. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel, as processing times vary. From 1 July 2026, Japan has removed the separate transit visa category, so check which category applies to your itinerary.
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Final Word
Air India’s Delhi to Osaka launch on 2 February 2027 fills one of the most glaring gaps in India–Japan connectivity. A non-stop Dreamliner service to Kansai — the cultural and culinary heart of Japan — backed by Air India’s existing Tokyo network means Indian travellers can now plan the Japan trip they actually want, not the one dictated by available connections. Start watching airindia.com for fare announcements, get your Japan visa moving, and consider booking the multi-city Osaka-in, Tokyo-out itinerary while it’s still underbooked.
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Aaseem Bhardwaj is a journalist, seasoned traveler and IT professional based in India. With firsthand travel experience across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Middle East and Europe, Aaseem founded Travel Man Today to provide reliable visa updates and travel news for Indian passport holders. He has personally traveled to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, UAE and Europe. Follow his travel vlogs on YouTube at @travelmantoday
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