Air India Express has launched a new direct service between Bengaluru and Phuket, adding another international destination to its growing network and offering travellers from southern India easier access to Thailand's largest island.
The inaugural flight departed on 1 June, marking the airline's latest international expansion from Bengaluru. The new route is designed to cater primarily to leisure travellers seeking a nonstop connection to one of Southeast Asia's most visited holiday destinations.
The launch further strengthens air connectivity between India and Thailand and builds on the carrier's efforts to expand its presence across high-demand international leisure markets.
The new service operates four times a week, providing regular direct links between Karnataka's capital and Phuket.
According to the airline, flights are scheduled on:
• Monday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday
The route is operated using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft configured to accommodate 176 passengers.
With a flight time of approximately three hours and 45 minutes, the service offers a convenient alternative for travellers who previously relied on connecting itineraries to reach Phuket.
The addition enhances travel options for Indian tourists visiting Thailand, which remains one of the most popular overseas destinations for Indian leisure travellers.
The Phuket launch follows the introduction of Air India Express' Bengaluru-Bangkok service, which commenced operations in October last year.
Together, the two Thailand routes provide the airline with a stronger presence in a market that continues to attract growing demand from Indian travellers.
The carrier said the new service aligns with its broader strategy of connecting major Indian cities with high-demand destinations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Bengaluru has emerged as one of the airline's most important operational centres, supporting both domestic and international expansion.
Current operations from Bengaluru include:
• Nearly 500 weekly flights
• Connectivity to 31 domestic destinations
• Connectivity to eight international destinations
The addition of Phuket further broadens the airline's international offering from the city and reinforces Bengaluru's role as a key gateway for outbound travel.
The launch gives passengers direct access to one of Thailand's most recognised tourism destinations.
Phuket attracts millions of visitors annually thanks to its combination of natural attractions, hospitality infrastructure and entertainment offerings.
The island is widely known for:
• Beach destinations and coastal resorts
• Water sports and marine tourism
• Cultural landmarks and heritage sites
• Local markets and dining experiences
• Nightlife and entertainment districts
For travellers departing from Bengaluru, the new nonstop connection reduces travel time and simplifies access to the island compared with itineraries requiring transfers through other Asian hubs.
The launch comes as Air India Express continues to pursue network growth under the wider transformation of the Air India Group.
The airline has focused on strengthening regional and international connectivity while expanding capacity from key Indian cities.
Its recent growth has also received industry recognition.
The carrier was awarded Airline of the Year in both the domestic and international categories at Bengaluru Airport's Pinnacle Awards.
In addition, Air India Express secured the Domestic Connectivity Award at Wings India 2026, an event organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India, and FICCI.
These recognitions reflect the airline's continued emphasis on expanding route networks and improving connectivity across its operating markets.
The Bengaluru-Phuket launch highlights the growing importance of leisure travel in airline network planning across Asia.
As travel demand between India and Southeast Asia continues to strengthen, carriers are increasingly introducing direct services that reduce travel times and improve convenience for passengers.
For Air India Express, the new Phuket route represents another step in its strategy of building stronger international connectivity from India's major metropolitan centres.
With four weekly services now in operation, travellers from Bengaluru have gained a direct gateway to one of Thailand's most sought-after holiday destinations, while the airline continues to expand its footprint across the region.
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