Safe alternatives to Middle East routes between USA and India
Both European and non-European airlines are providing safe alternatives to the conflict-affected Middle East routes between USA and India in current times. Despite being an ally of the US, Europe continues to maintain a neutral stance on the Middle East conflict; it makes Europe a safe corridor for US-India flights by Swiss Air, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlanta, British Airways, and Air France-KLM.
The Gulf airlines’ best flight deals, award-winning hospitality, efficient service on board, and world-class hub airports make the Middle East a heavy-traffic transit corridor between USA and India. It is also true that not always their fares are cheaper than that of European airlines. As elaborated above, you can book your onward flight from USA to India via Europe for imminent travel. Once the Middle East tensions de-escalate, you can book your return travel on a Gulf carrier for the best deal.
If your peace of mind and travel safety take priority over airfares, you can explore other options like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines. Their US to India flights are among safe alternatives to the Middle East routes. In addition, there are Air Canada, Air India, and American Airlines (nonstop JFK to DEL travel). IndianEagle.com, your trusted travel-booking partner, has the best airline deals for flights via Europe, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Right time to book flight tickets to India
This is the right time to plan and book your travel from USA to India, as airline ticket prices are likely to rise very soon. Airlines’ cash reserves are depleting over flight cancellations and refunds amid the Middle East conflict. They can barely absorb the jet fuel hike triggered by the disrupted crude oil supply from the Gulf region. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) rates have recently soared to $150-$200 per barrel from $85-$90.
Among the few airlines that the geopolitical crisis and airspace restrictions impacted badly, Air India is increasing fuel surcharge for both domestic and international flight tickets. Effective 18 March 2026, Air India flights to USA and Australia will cost an additional $50 in fuel surcharge per ticket. It means you will have to pay extra USD200 for four Air India tickets, irrespective of routes from the US to India or Australia. The fare increase is also applicable to rebooking of cancelled flights and rescheduling of any existing reservation, starting on 18 March.
Choose two one-way itineraries over round-trip booking
Mostly, a round-trip flight itinerary costs lesser than two one-way flight tickets. But what matters more than saving a few tens of dollars – is flexibility given travel disruptions amid unprecedented geopolitical events. Though booking tickets of Gulf airlines is open for US to India travel in March and April 2026, it is recommended you book onward travel and return travel separately (two different PNRs) instead of a round-trip itinerary. With the Iran-US conflict showing no signs of abating, flight cancellations are likely to occur intermittently.
In case of a round-trip booking (including transit in the Middle East) for onward flight scheduled in late March and return flight in late April or May, you risk the entire itinerary if the volatile situation forces the airline to cancel scheduled operations fully or partially. It is better to make two one-way flight bookings for travel with different airlines.
Besides, a partially used round-trip itinerary is non-cancellable and non-refundable. Even if an unavoidable reason or scenario entitles you to a refund on partial cancellation in a round-trip booking, the refund amount is trivial. Airlines refund only 10-20% of the total round-trip fare in case of partial cancellation.
Check out flight deals of not-so-popular airlines
Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, EVA Air, SriLankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Thai Airways are not as popular as European and Middle Eastern carriers for US-India service. They have safe routes to USA and India outside the Gulf region. Though very close to the Gulf region, Ethiopia’s flag carrier – Ethiopian Airlines flights from USA to India don’t enter the Middle East airspace. It also provides seamless connection and free stopover in Addis Ababa (including complimentary hotel stay). Likewise, Finnair connects New Delhi to Dallas DFW, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Seattle, and Chicago via Helsinki.
EVA Air, Thai, SriLankan, and Malaysia airlines operate on some US-India routes in codesharing with other airlines. For instance, EVA Air codeshares with Air India, and SriLankan Airways codeshares with American Airlines, British Airways, and Air Canada. As partners of Indian Eagle, a leading US-based travel tech company, these airlines offer their unpublished exclusive fares as phone-only deals – which are just a call away from +1800-615-3969 (24/7).
