# Air India Flight Diverts to Delhi After 7-Hour 'Flight to Nowhere' Due to Operational Issue

_Mar 21 07:15_

Tags: Air India, Canada, Delhi, Vancouver, airline, safety & operations, industry news

Air India flight AI185 to Vancouver turned back to Delhi after 3 hours due to an operational issue linked to swapping a Boeing 777-300ER for a 777-200LR. Passengers were hotelized and re-flown the next day

## Summary

Air India flight AI185, scheduled from Delhi (DEL) to Vancouver (YVR), diverted back to Delhi after approximately three hours in the air, resulting in a 7-hour 'flight to nowhere.' The flight, originally scheduled for a Boeing 777-300ER, was swapped to a Boeing 777-200LR (VT-AEI), an ex-Delta aircraft being phased out. After taking off late at 12:18 PM, the plane flew east across India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, entering Chinese airspace near Kunming before turning around. Air India cited an 'operational issue' and standard operating procedures. The prevailing theory is a technicality regarding air rights or aircraft certification for Canada, though another theory suggests insufficient passenger oxygen supplies for high-terrain routes on the ex-Delta jets. Passengers were put in a hotel and re-flown the following day

## Why it matters

Affects Air India loyalty members and route planners.

## Sources cited

- [One Mile at a Time](https://onemileatatime.com/news/air-india-flies-wrong-plane-canada) — Air India Flies Wrong Plane To Canada, Ends In 7-Hour Flight To Nowhere

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