MileValue is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer be available. You can view current offers here.
Air India will begin flying a Dreamliner from Newark to London on August 15, 2016 as part of a route between Newark and Ahmedabad, India. Air India will have fifth freedom rights, meaning you will be able to fly any single segment of the flight, including Newark to London.
The flight will be bookable with United miles and any other Star Alliance airline’s miles.
Right now, Newark to London and London to Newark are showing two economy award seats and one Business Class award seat from August 15 onward.
- What are the flight times?
- How is Air India Business Class?
- Which miles are cheapest to book the award?
Flight Details
The new Newark to London flight will operate three times per week in each direction.
On Mondays and Fridays:
AI172 Newark to London departing 10:30 PM arriving 10:15 AM (+1 day)
AI171 London to Newark departing 12:30 PM arriving 3:00 PM
On Wednesdays westbound/Thursdays eastbound
AI172 Newark to London departing 12:20 AM arriving 12:05 PM
AI171 London to Newark departing 12:30 PM arriving 3:00 PM
Air India’s Dreamliner has economy and Business Class. Business Class is three rows of flat beds arranged 2-2-2.
Cost of Award
United charges 30k/70k miles each way in economy/Business between the United States and Europe on partner flights. You can connect United Saver award space on domestic flights to Air India’s flight in Newark for zero extra miles. You can also connect in London on Star Alliance partners to other parts of Europe for zero extra miles. Unfortunately London is not a Star Alliance hub, so connections are limited in London.
Or you can book the award more cheaply with Asiana, Aeroplan, Lufthansa, Avianca LifeMiles, or ANA miles.
If you use miles other than United, Copa, or LifeMiles, you will pay $110 in fuel surcharges from Newark to London.
I didn’t check the fuel surcharges for the return because the taxes (about $300) make the return a bad deal. Instead return from a low tax city.
Award Space
Award space looks perfect on united.com. Two economy seats and one Business seat basically every day the flight operates in both directions.
Bottom Line
At the end of the summer, Air India launches Newark to London flights. Award space is wide open in economy and Business Class.
Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.
The comments section below is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.