Air India returns to mainland China after 6 years, reopens key link with Shanghai from February 1

Air India on Monday said that it will restart non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai from February 1, 2026, its first return to mainland China since early 2020. The decision marks a significant shift in regional air connectivity, coming on the heels of renewed diplomatic engagement between India and China that recently restored suspended air links.

Air India is the second airline, after IndiGo, which will resume its operation to China. Earlier, IndiGo resumed a daily, non-stop service between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26 and Delhi and Guangzhou from November 10.

The Air India spokesperson also said it also plans to launch a Mumbai-Shanghai non-stop service later in 2026, subject to regulatory clearances. With Shanghai becoming the 48th international destination served by the Air India group, the carrier retains its position as India’s largest player in overseas passenger traffic.

The Delhi-Shanghai route will operate four times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, using Boeing 787-8 aircraft equipped with 18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 Economy seats. The reinstatement also revives one of Air India’s older international links; the carrier had first launched non-stop flights to mainland China in October 2000.

Calling it a symbolic reconnection between “two great, ancient civilisations and modern economic powerhouses,” Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson said that the resumption of our Delhi-Shanghai services is more than a route launch.

“It is a bridge between two great, ancient civilisations and modern economic powerhouses. At Air India, we are happy to reconnect one of the world’s most vital air corridors, enabling travellers to pursue opportunities in business, trade, healthcare, education and culture with the comfort and warm Indian hospitality that define Air India,” he said.

According to the schedule released by the airline, Flight AI352 will depart Delhi for Shanghai at 1200 hours and land at 2020 hours, while the return flight, AI351, will leave Shanghai at 2200 hours and arrive in Delhi at 0315 hours the following day. All timings are in local time zones.