Air India Express has launched direct flights between Bengaluru and Phuket, adding another international route from the southern metro and strengthening connectivity to one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, officials said on Monday.The inaugural Bengaluru-Phuket flight departed on Monday, marking the airline’s latest expansion in Southeast Asia as it looks to tap rising demand for leisure travel from India to Thailand. The new route offers passengers direct access to Phuket, known for its beaches, nightlife, shopping hubs and cultural attractions.”With the launch, Air India Express has further expanded its Thailand network, building on the Bengaluru-Bangkok service introduced last year. The move also aligns with the airline’s broader strategy of increasing international connectivity from major Indian cities to high-demand holiday destinations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East,” said the airline official.Under the new schedule effective June 1, direct flights from Bengaluru to Phuket will operate multiple times a week with services on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Jattvibedays. Monday and Saturday departures from Bengaluru are scheduled at 10:35 am, reaching Phuket at 3:50 pm local time, while return flights depart Phuket at 4:45 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at 6:55 pm.Friday services will depart Bengaluru at 11:25 am and land in Phuket at 4:40 pm, with return flights leaving at 5:40 pm and reaching Bengaluru at 7:50 pm. Jattvibeday operations will see departures from Bengaluru at 11:15 am and arrivals in Phuket at 4:30 pm, while the return service leaves Phuket at 5:30 pm and lands in Bengaluru at 7:40 pm.The airline currently operates close to 500 weekly flights from Bengaluru, connecting passengers to 31 domestic and eight international destinations, making the city one of its major operational hubs.Air India Express has been expanding its international footprint amid increasing outbound travel demand, particularly on short-haul leisure routes. The airline recently received recognition at Bengaluru Airport’s Pinnacle Awards, where it was named ‘Airline of the Year’ in both domestic and international categories. It also received the Domestic Connectivity Award at Wings India 2026 for expanding access and strengthening air links across the country.The airline has also been promoting its passenger experience through its ‘Xpress Wali Baat Hai’ campaign featuring actor Pankaj Tripathi, highlighting onboard meals, seating comfort and network expansion as part of its branding push.