If you’re planning travel between the U.S. and India — perhaps looking for us to india flights, scouting for india cheap flights, or browsing for air flight tickets to india — then this is an important update to keep in mind. As of 26 October 2025, Air India has reorganised some of its domestic operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to improve efficiency, passenger comfort, and connectivity.
What is Changing?
Here are the key facts:
- Starting 26 October 2025, select Air India domestic flights at DEL are shifting from Terminal 3 (T3) to Terminal 2 (T2).
- Specifically: about 60 of Air India’s domestic departures each day (those with flight numbers in the “AI-1XXX” series) will operate from T2. The remaining domestic flights, plus all international flights, continue from T3.
- Domestic flights operated by Air India’s subsidiary (Air India Express) will move to Terminal 1 (T1).
This means that when you’re booking air flight tickets to india (or within India) or travelling on us to india flights with connections domestically, you’ll want to check your terminal more carefully than before.
Why This Change?
The reason behind the change is clear: DEL is undergoing expansion and modernisation, particularly of T3, to accommodate growing international volumes. Moving some domestic operations to T2 allows the airport operator and airlines to manage traffic more effectively.
In short: the change helps streamline passenger flows, reduce congestion, and deliver a smoother travel experience — which benefits you, whether you’re flying domestically within India or connecting from abroad on your us to india flights.
What This Means for You (as a Traveller)
1. Check your terminal!
If your flight is with Air India or connecting via DEL, look at your flight number. If it’s in the “AI-1XXX” format (four digits, starting with ‘1’), it’s likely operating from T2.
Even if you’ve booked india cheap flights months ago, this terminal shift means you’ll want to update your plans (e.g., how long to allow between flights, how you get to the airport).
2. Transfers between terminals
If your journey involves a connection at DEL (for example, a U.S.-India international flight, then a domestic hop within India), you may need to move between terminals.
- Free shuttle buses connect T1, T2 and T3, running every ~20 minutes.
- There’s also a covered walkway between T2 and T3 and buggy rides for those needing assistance.
- As a rule of thumb: allow at least 30-45 minutes for inter-terminal transfer (and more if you need to drop baggage, clear customs etc).
3. Baggage & connection implications
If your itinerary includes an international arrival followed by a domestic departure, or vice versa, take special care of your baggage:
- If you arrive internationally (T3) and then depart domestically (T2), you might need to collect your bags at T3, clear customs, then drop them again at T3 for the domestic flight.
- If you are booking your us to india flights and then connecting domestically, double-check if your bags are through-checked or if you need to handle them yourself.
4. Booking your flights
When shopping for india cheap flights or generally searching for air flight tickets to india, it’s smart to:
- Book early. Early bookings often capture lower fares — especially for international segments from the U.S. to India.
- Be flexible with your dates. Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) often provide better deals compared to peak days.
- Keep your tabs open on airline websites and trusted travel aggregators.
- Always confirm the flight number and terminal before you head to the airport, because even booked itineraries can be updated.
How This Affects International Travellers (Especially from U.S.)
For passengers flying from the U.S. to India, this terminal change at DEL may matter in the following ways:
- If you land at DEL on an international flight (typically into T3) and then continue with a domestic leg on Air India, you’ll likely depart from T2. That means when you are browsing us to india flights, you should factor in the inter-terminal transfer.
- If you’re simply doing a direct U.S.–India flight and staying in Delhi (or beyond) and only doing domestic segments later, you still need to be aware of the domestic segment’s terminal.
- If you are hunting for india cheap flights from the U.S., the easier the connection (less terminal change, less transfer time), the less stressful the travel. So even though a connection may cost slightly more, if it keeps everything in one terminal or has sufficient transfer time, it might be worth it.
Tips to Make Your Travel Easier & Smoother
- Before booking: verify the flight number and terminal information. If you find a cheap domestic fare (for instance as part of a multi-leg journey), check if the flight’s number falls into the “AI-1XXX” series (for Air India) so you know it’s from T2.
- At the airport: arrive early, especially if you have a transfer between terminals. The signage at DEL has been updated and staff will be available, but new terminal layouts always take time for frequent flyers to learn.
- If you have a connection: plan your layover time to allow for transfers, bag drops, security, etc. 45 to 60 minutes minimum is wise if switching terminals.
- If you need assistance: If you use wheelchairs or have reduced mobility, call your airline ahead – there is buggy service between terminals.
- Use airline apps: Airlines (including Air India) are now printing the terminal on the boarding pass and sending SMS/email alerts. Double-check closer to departure.
- Keep documentation handy: Passport, visas, boarding passes for both segments (if connecting), and relevant phone numbers for your airline’s ground staff.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re securing those india cheap flights, planning your big trip from the U.S. with us to india flights, or simply booking air flight tickets to india, being aware of terminal logistics and airport changes makes a difference. The shift by Air India at DEL is one of those operational changes that may seem minor — but to a traveller it can impact everything from connection times to baggage handling.
By doing your homework (flight number, terminal, transfer time), you ensure your journey is smoother and less stressful. With airports busier than ever and airlines optimizing operations, small details matter.
Indonesia? Sorry — India! And with India rapidly expanding its aviation capacity and global connectivity, now is a good time to fly. So lock in those deals, plan ahead, and you’ll be ready for take-off. Safe travels!
