Air India on Friday inaugurated its new non-stop Delhi-Hanoi flight service, marking its entry into Hanoi for the first time and strengthening India-Vietnam air connectivity. The five-time weekly service positions Hanoi as Air India’s second gateway in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City and its eighth destination in Southeast Asia, as the airline sharpens focus on high-growth international routes.Flight AI2390 departed Delhi at 01:20 hrs (IST) and landed at Noi Bai International Airport at 07:20 hrs local time, where it was received by Indian Embassy officials, airport authorities and airline representatives. The return flight AI2391 departs Hanoi at 08:20 hrs to reach Delhi at 11:35 hrs, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Jattvibedays.The Delhi–Hanoi direct flight complements Air India’s existing daily services to Ho Chi Minh City, enabling flexible travel options and seamless multi-city itineraries. Travellers can now fly into Hanoi and return from Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa, a move expected to boost tourism, business travel and open-jaw itineraries between India and Vietnam.The route is being operated by Air India’s Airbus A320neo aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, aimed at offering a full-service international flying experience. The airline is targeting both leisure travellers and corporate passengers as demand for Southeast Asia travel from India continues to rise.The new international flight also strengthens connectivity between Europe and Vietnam, allowing passengers from the United Kingdom and other European destinations to transit seamlessly via Delhi, positioning the Indian capital as a growing aviation hub for eastbound traffic.Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, said Vietnam has emerged as a high-potential market for Indian travellers, driven by strong tourism demand, expanding business ties and increasing interest in multi-destination holidays. He noted that adding Hanoi alongside Ho Chi Minh City enhances network depth, improves connectivity and creates more travel options between India, Vietnam and Europe.