New Delhi: Air India Express has started a new non-stop flight service between Bengaluru and Phuket, further strengthening air connectivity between India and Thailand. The inaugural flight took off on Monday, marking the airline’s latest international expansion aimed at catering to the growing demand for leisure travel.
With the launch of the new route, travelers from Bengaluru can now fly directly to Phuket, one of Thailand’s most sought-after tourist destinations known for its beaches, nightlife, shopping centres and cultural attractions.
Air India Express officials said the new service builds on the airline’s existing Bengaluru-Bangkok operations and forms part of its broader strategy to expand international connections from major Indian cities to popular destinations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Under the revised schedule effective from June 1, flights between Bengaluru and Phuket will operate four days a week—Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Mondays and Saturdays, flights will depart Bengaluru at 10:35 am and arrive in Phuket at 3:50 pm local time. Return flights will leave Phuket at 4:45 pm and land in Bengaluru at 6:55 pm.
On Fridays, departures from Bengaluru are scheduled for 11:25 am, reaching Phuket at 4:40 pm. The return service will depart Phuket at 5:40 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at 7:50 pm. Sunday flights will leave Bengaluru at 11:15 am and reach Phuket at 4:30 pm, while the return journey will begin at 5:30 pm and conclude in Bengaluru at 7:40 pm.
Bengaluru continues to be a major operational hub for Air India Express, with the airline operating nearly 500 weekly flights connecting the city to 31 domestic and eight international destinations.
The carrier has been steadily expanding its overseas network amid rising outbound travel demand from India, particularly to short-haul holiday destinations. Recently, Air India Express was recognised at Bengaluru Airport’s Pinnacle Awards, where it received the ‘Airline of the Year’ title in both domestic and international categories. The airline also won the Domestic Connectivity Award at Wings India 2026 for enhancing regional and national air links.
As part of its branding and customer engagement efforts, Air India Express has also been promoting its services through the ‘Xpress Wali Baat Hai’ campaign featuring actor Pankaj Tripathi, highlighting its onboard experience, route network and passenger amenities.
