Representative image of Air India aicraft.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bengaluru: Air India on Friday announced non-stop services between Bengaluru and London Gatwick (LGW), starting August 18.
With the new services, Bengaluru will become the fifth Indian city connected through Air India to Gatwick, the UK’s second-largest airport.
Air India will operate five flights a week between Bengaluru and London Gatwick, increasing the total count of its flights to and from London Gatwick to 17 a week. Air India will use its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route, featuring 18 flat beds in Business class and 238 seats in Economy.
The airline said in an official statement that the new services would further strengthen Air India’s presence in the UK and reinforce the strong economic and cultural links between India and the UK.
"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," Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said.
Bookings for the flights will open on Friday.
The AI 177 will operate from Bengaluru to London Gatwick on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays (departure at 1.05 pm, arrival at 7.05 pm local time). From London Gatwick, the AI 178 services are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays (departure at 8.35 pm, arrival at 10.50 am local time, next day).
Air India currently operates services to London Gatwick from four other Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi.