For the first time in several summers, one-way airfares from Mumbai to the US have dropped to as low as ₹37,000, with return fares starting at ₹76,000.
The most noticeable decline is for May 2025 travel, driven by evolving global airline strategies and improved connectivity through transit hubs.
Flights from major Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi to key US destinations have become significantly more affordable compared to previous years.
Travel platforms report a 5–8% drop in average fares for the April–June 2025 period compared to the same quarter in 2024. Analysts attribute the decline to improved seat availability and revised airline routing strategies.
“Summer is peak holiday season for Indian families, with schools shut and many opting for long-haul trips to destinations like the US,” said Indiver Rastogi, President and Group Head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel. “This year, we’ve observed a 5–8% drop in fares from Delhi and Mumbai to major US cities during April to June.”
Based on bookings made in January and February 2025, fares to cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles averaged ₹1.15 lakh — down from ₹1.20–1.25 lakh in 2024. Fares to Boston, Orlando, and Michigan dropped to ₹1.35 lakh from last year’s ₹1.40–1.45 lakh range.
Travellers with flexible dates can still find return fares under ₹1 lakh, especially on flights transiting through Middle Eastern hubs. Some of the smoother travel options, priced around ₹85,000, include layovers of less than four hours via Delhi or London.
India continues to be a high-demand market for US-bound travel, thanks to its large immigrant population and the growing number of Indian students in American universities.
Historically, fare prices were pushed higher by limited direct connectivity and longer flight durations due to airspace restrictions.
An airline official noted, “In recent years, US-bound fares remained high year-round. Even after India resumed international flights in March 2022 post-pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict forced carriers to avoid Russian airspace, resulting in longer routes. This, coupled with US carriers scaling back direct flights from Indian metros, kept fares elevated.”
Though some direct flights have since resumed, nonstop options remain limited. The current dip in fares is expected to continue in the short term, offering much-needed relief for travellers heading to the US for education, tourism, or family visits.
