AI to launch 1st non-stop Delhi-New York flight on Feb 8

New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) Air India will launch its nonstop flight between Delhi and New York, the first by any airlines, on February 8, it was announced today.

The nonstop flight-- AI-101-- bewteen IGIA and JFK Airport will cut down travel time between the two cities by at least three hours, AI CMD V Thulasidas told a press conference.

Air India will deploy its Boeing 777-200 LR (Longer Range), a 238 seater aircraft in operation for five months, for the nonstop fight, he said It will be Air India's second non-stop flight to the US, the first being between Mumbai and New York-- launched on August 1, 2007.

Air India now plans to launch its third nonstop flight, most probably between Bangalore and San Fransisco, Mr Thulasidas said.

This is apparently to counter competition from private carrier Jet Airways, which is planning to start a flight between Delhi, Shanghai and San Fransisco.

The AI chief said the Delhi-New York flight would have the most convenient timing, leaving Delhi at 0030 hrs and arriving JFK at 0545 hrs. It will depart JFK at 1600 hrs and arrive Delhi at 1630 hrs the next day.

''The timings will help passengers arriving in Delhi to get connecting flights to major cities the same evening,'' he said.

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