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Starting from August 18, Air India will begin direct flight services between Bengaluru and London's Gatwick Airport, which is the UK's second-largest airport. This move will make Bengaluru the only Indian city connected to both Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London.
Increased Connectivity to London
Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has opened bookings for this new route. The airline will operate five flights a week between Bengaluru and London Gatwick, excluding Tuesdays and Saturdays. This new service will bring the total number of Air India flights to and from Gatwick to 17 times a week. An Air India spokesperson said on June 7 that this new route will strengthen Air India's presence in the UK and reinforce the strong economic and cultural links between India and the UK.
Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details
The flight, numbered AI 177, will depart from Bengaluru at 1:05 PM and arrive at Gatwick at 7:05 PM. On the return trip, flight AI 178 will take off from Gatwick at 8:35 PM and land in Bengaluru at 10:50 AM. The airline will use Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for this route. This aircraft features 18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 spacious seats in Economy Class.
Commitment to Expanding the Global Network
Air India's chief executive officer and managing director, Campbell Wilson, expressed excitement about the new route. He said, "We are delighted to offer our guests convenient, non-stop flights between Bengaluru and London Gatwick. This new route caters to the growing demand for travel between these two important business and leisure destinations, and strengthens our commitment to expanding our global network."
Growing Demand for Flights
After the launch of this new route, three airlines will operate 19 flights a week between Bengaluru and London. This indicates a growing demand for flights between India's tech and startup capital and the UK. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic already operate from Heathrow. In April, Virgin Atlantic started daily operations between Bengaluru and Heathrow. After Delhi and Mumbai, Bengaluru is the third Indian city from where Virgin Atlantic flies daily to London.
Connecting More Indian Cities to Gatwick
Bengaluru will become the fifth Indian city to be connected to Gatwick. Last year, Air India shifted flights from non-metro airports such as Amritsar, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Kochi from Heathrow to Gatwick. This move was part of a strategy to improve connectivity from more Indian cities to London Gatwick.
The launch of direct flights between Bengaluru and London Gatwick by Air India is a significant step in enhancing travel options for passengers. With convenient non-stop flights and the use of modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, travelers can look forward to a comfortable and efficient journey. This new route not only meets the growing demand for travel between Bengaluru and London but also strengthens the economic and cultural ties between India and the UK.
