Air India adds Mumbai–Toronto route as IndiGo exits wide-body operations
Air India will launch a seasonal Mumbai–Toronto service on October 25, 2026, operating three times weekly through March 26, 2027. The move lifts its India–Canada schedule to 20 weekly flights for Winter 2026–27 as IndiGo returns six leased Boeing 787-9s and ends wide-body flying.
What happened
Air India will launch a seasonal Mumbai-Toronto route from October 2026 and expand Canada capacity as IndiGo ends leased wide-body operations, temporarily
Key facts
- Mumbai-Toronto seasonal service starts October 25, 2026
- Service operates three times weekly until March 26, 2027
- Boeing 777-300ER: 8 First Class suites, 40 Business flat beds, 280 Economy seats
- Premium seat capacity to Toronto rises 71% in winter
- Air India will operate 20 weekly India-Canada flights in Winter 2026-27: 10 Delhi-Toronto, 3 Mumbai-Toronto, 7 Delhi-Vancouver
- IndiGo ends wide-body operations from October 25 and its Norse damp lease on October 31
- Six Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be returned
Why this matters
IndiGo’s wide-body retreat creates an opening for Air India to consolidate nonstop India–Canada demand and pursue partnerships, distribution, and network opportunities around its expanding long-haul footprint.
What to watch
- Air India's published fares, load factors, and premium-cabin availability on Mumbai-Toronto after sales open.
- Whether the service is extended beyond March 26, 2027 or increased above three weekly flights.
- Air India's aircraft assignment and reliability, especially if wide-body fleet constraints affect long-haul schedules.
- IndiGo announcements on the use of released capital, new international routes, or future wide-body leasing plans.
- Canada visa policy, student-travel volumes, and India-Canada diplomatic conditions, which can materially alter route demand.
- Competitive capacity changes by Air Canada, Gulf carriers, European hubs, and other India-Canada operators.
- Air India is likely to market Mumbai-Toronto heavily to western India diaspora, students, and corporate travelers, with onward domestic connections through its Mumbai hub.
- The carrier may seek to convert the seasonal route into year-round service if Winter 2026-27 load factors and premium-cabin performance meet targets.
- Air India could add Canada-focused codeshares, interline arrangements, or domestic schedule banks to strengthen onward connectivity beyond Toronto.
- IndiGo is likely to emphasize its narrow-body international network and partnerships rather than quickly re-entering wide-body flying.
- Competing carriers operating one-stop India-Canada itineraries may respond with tactical fares, added connections, or loyalty promotions.