Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to India

Direct flight routes to India

Non-stop flights between Australasia and India are limited, with Air India operating the main direct services.

• Melbourne to Delhi – Air India – 12h 40m


• Sydney to Delhi – Air India – 12h 35m


• Auckland to Delhi – No direct flights currently available

Layover/stopover options

Singapore (SIA) – Singapore Airlines’ main hub with excellent connections to multiple Indian cities. Average connection time of 2-3 hours. Features world-class terminal facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X hub. Budget-friendly connections with typical layovers of 3-4 hours. Offers free shuttle between terminals and prayer rooms.

Bangkok (BKK) – Thai Airways hub with consistent India connections. Average transit time of 3 hours. Features excellent shopping and dining options during layovers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command a premium of 20-30% over one-stop options but save 4-6 hours of total travel time. Budget carriers via Southeast Asian hubs offer the most economical options but usually involve longer layovers.

Tips and recommendations

• Book connecting flights on the same airline or alliance to ensure better handling of delays and baggage transfer.


• Consider overnight layovers in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to break up long journeys, often at similar total costs.


• Prices are typically lowest for Tuesday and Wednesday departures.


• During Indian festivals and December-January peak season, direct flights sell out quickly despite higher prices.


• Singapore Airlines frequently offers stopover packages including hotel stays at competitive rates.

• Singapore Airlines via Changi offers the best price-comfort ratio on Australia/NZ-India routes, with fares typically 15-20% lower than direct flights. Their A350 and B787 aircraft feature newer Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and 18-inch width, plus free Singapore stopover programs for breaks in journey. The airline serves 16 Indian destinations from Singapore, providing extensive connectivity options.
• Flying Thai Airways through Bangkok can save up to 30% compared to direct flights, particularly from Melbourne and Sydney to Delhi or Mumbai. Their recently refurbished A350s offer competitive 32-inch pitch in Economy, while their extensive Indian network allows reaching secondary cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad with short connections.
• For Western Australia residents, Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur consistently offers the lowest fares to India, especially from Perth to Chennai and Kolkata. Their refreshed B737-800 fleet operating to India features new slimline seats with device holders and improved legroom, though connections in KLIA can be longer than other hubs.
• The Cathay Pacific option via Hong Kong works best for travelers from eastern Australian cities heading to Delhi or Mumbai, with midnight departures allowing convenient arrival times in India. Their Economy fares are typically 10-15% higher than Singapore Airlines but offset by superior catering and one of the widest Economy seats (18.5 inches) in the market.
• For New Zealand departures, combining Air New Zealand to Singapore with either Vistara or Air India to final destination offers competitive through fares and better timezone adjustment. This routing works particularly well for Auckland and Christchurch departures, with Air New Zealand’s Economy Skycouch option available on the long-haul sector for added comfort.

1. Choosing the wrong transit hub Many travelers default to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur without considering better-timed connections through Bangkok or even Hong Kong, which can offer shorter overall journey times to major Indian cities.
2. Booking too close to major festivals Failing to anticipate peak pricing and limited seat availability during Diwali, Christmas, and Indian wedding season (October to December) can result in paying up to triple the regular airfare.
3. Ignoring alternate arrival airports Fixating on flying into Delhi or Mumbai when secondary airports like Bangalore or Hyderabad might offer better connections and lower fares, especially from eastern Australian cities.
4. Not checking terminal transfers At major Indian airports like Delhi, international and domestic terminals can be several kilometers apart, yet many travelers don’t account for this when booking tight connecting flights.
5. Booking early morning departures from Australia Taking 6AM or earlier departures from Sydney or Melbourne often means expensive airport transfers and potential flight delays due to common morning fog in Indian arrival cities.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Most reliable connections and highest rated overall passenger experience from Australasia to India.

Operates from 8 Australasian airports to India (biggest: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). Known for spacious Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and high-quality entertainment systems. Their Singapore hub offers efficient 2-4 hour connections to multiple Indian cities. Consistently receives top ratings for meals, featuring both Western and Asian cuisines. Economy passengers particularly praise their attentive service and clean, well-maintained cabins.

Air India

Best for: Only airline offering direct flights from Australia (Melbourne) to Delhi.

Serves 3 Australasian airports (Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland) with connections to India. The direct Melbourne-Delhi service saves significant travel time. While their older aircraft fleet receives mixed reviews, passengers appreciate the authentic Indian meals and generous 33-inch seat pitch in Economy. Cabin crew known for friendly, culturally authentic service approach.

Thai Airways

Best for: Most budget-friendly premium option with consistently good service standards.

Operates from 5 Australasian airports (biggest: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) via Bangkok to multiple Indian destinations. Economy class offers comfortable 32-inch seat pitch and Thai hospitality. Bangkok layovers are typically well-timed, though slightly longer than Singapore. Passengers regularly praise their meal quality and frequent special offers on these routes.

Malaysia Airlines

Best for: Most generous baggage allowance (30kg) in Economy Class for Australasia-India routes.

Flies from 6 Australasian airports (biggest: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth) via Kuala Lumpur to India. Offers competitive fares and good connection times through their KL hub. Economy cabin features 32-inch seat pitch and Malaysian hospitality. Passengers particularly appreciate their consistent service quality and extensive entertainment options, though meal portions tend to be smaller than competitors.

Savvy travelers can save significantly on flights between Australasia and India by strategically using regional Asian carriers instead of direct routes. This approach often requires self-connecting flights but can reduce costs by 20-40%.

Key connection hubs

Focus on major Asian hubs where regional carriers operate frequently:

1. Singapore (Changi)
2. Kuala Lumpur (KLIA)
3. Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)

Money-saving strategy

Book separate tickets: one from Australia/New Zealand to a hub using airlines like Scoot, AirAsia, or Jetstar Asia, then another from the hub to India using carriers like IndiGo or AirAsia India. Allow at least 4 hours between flights for self-connection.

Additional tips

Consider using multiple regional carriers. For example, Sydney to Singapore on Scoot, Singapore to Bangkok on Thai Lion Air, then Bangkok to Delhi on IndiGo. While this requires more planning, savings can be substantial during peak seasons.

Important consideration

Remember that separate tickets mean managing your own connections and baggage transfers. Pack light or factor in additional baggage fees, which could affect total savings.