Flying with Air India soon? India’s flag carrier is your gateway to South Asia and the world. Whether you are hopping on a short flight or taking a long-haul journey with the airline, you need a solid connection when you land. Air India, known by its IATA code AI, operates massive networks out of its primary hubs in New Delhi and Mumbai. Get your JamboSim travel eSIM ready, skip the expensive roaming fees, and land with confidence. ✈️
Founded in 1932 by J. R. D. Tata as Tata Airlines, India’s national carrier has a long and storied past. It launched its first flight carrying mail between Karachi and Bombay, slowly expanding into passenger services across the subcontinent. Following World War II, it became a public limited company and was renamed Air India. It soon began its first international services, establishing itself as a premier global carrier with a distinct cultural flair and world-renowned hospitality.
Over the decades, the airline grew its network across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. It entered the jet age early with Boeing 707s and later became a major operator of the Boeing 747. Air India eventually merged with the domestic carrier Indian Airlines to consolidate its domestic and international footprint. In 2014, it joined the prestigious Star Alliance, unlocking seamless travel and lounge access for millions of passengers connecting across the globe. Recently, the airline returned to its roots when the Tata Group reacquired it, sparking a massive transformation.
Today, Air India operates from its headquarters in New Delhi, relying heavily on its primary hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. It also maintains strong secondary bases in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. With a fleet of around two hundred aircraft and an ongoing massive fleet renewal, the carrier flies to roughly one hundred destinations. From short hops handled by Air India Express to ultra-long-haul routes, it remains an aviation giant.
Air India is the flagship airline of India, operating under the IATA code AI and the ICAO code AIC. Headquartered in New Delhi, it is a proud member of the Star Alliance network. This membership makes it a popular choice for global travellers seeking smooth connections. Frequent flyers can earn and spend miles through the Maharaja Club loyalty programme. While JamboSim is completely independent and not affiliated with the airline, we love keeping Air India passengers connected. Whether you are flying across the country or crossing oceans, knowing the basics helps you navigate your journey with ease.
The airline relies on massive primary hubs in New Delhi and Mumbai to connect passengers across the world. At Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, you will mostly find international flights operating out of Terminal 3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai uses Terminal 2 for its major global departures. Air India also runs extensive operations from secondary bases in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Navigating these bustling Indian airports is an experience in itself. Having mobile data ready makes finding your gate or calling a cab much less stressful.
Staying connected in the sky is becoming increasingly important for modern travellers. Air India is in the midst of a massive fleet renewal, and inflight Wi-Fi availability can vary greatly depending on the aircraft you board. Many older planes lack internet access entirely, while newly inducted and retrofitted jets are starting to offer connectivity options. You should always download your movies and music before takeoff just to be safe. Once you land, you will want a working cellular connection right away, which is exactly where a travel eSIM comes in handy.
Your choice of data plan depends entirely on your travel itinerary. If you are flying directly to New Delhi or Mumbai and staying within the country, a single-country India eSIM is your most cost-effective option. However, Air India flies to a dozen typical destination countries, including the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore. If you are jumping between countries or continents, a regional or global eSIM saves you from buying multiple packages. Just match your plan to your passport stamps and enjoy the freedom of seamless travel data.
Preparation is the key to a stress-free arrival. You should always buy and install your JamboSim eSIM at home over your regular Wi-Fi connection before heading to the airport. Do not wait until you are standing at the baggage claim. Once you land, getting online is incredibly simple. You just need to ensure that data roaming is switched ON for your newly installed JamboSim profile in your phone settings. Keep your primary home SIM switched off for data to avoid unexpected roaming fees from your regular network provider.
Landing in New Delhi can be a wonderfully overwhelming experience. Indira Gandhi International Airport is massive and constantly busy. As soon as your plane touches down and your eSIM connects, you can start making your plans. Open your favourite ride-hailing apps like Uber or Ola to book a secure ride into the city centre. You might also want to load up the Delhi Metro app if you prefer taking the Airport Express line. Having instant internet access means you can text your family, check your hotel booking, and avoid the chaotic taxi queues completely. 🚕
Booking a ticket with Air India often means you are part of a larger global itinerary. Because the airline is a member of the Star Alliance, you might find yourself connecting onto flights operated by Lufthansa, United Airlines, or Singapore Airlines. When you have a layover in a foreign hub, airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable or require local phone numbers for verification. A regional eSIM keeps you connected during these transit periods. You can easily check your onward gate, monitor delays, and message your travel companions without worrying about public networks.
No, travel eSIMs rely on terrestrial cellular networks. They will not provide data while you are flying at cruising altitude. You should use the airline inflight Wi-Fi if available, and rely on your eSIM as soon as you land.
The availability of inflight Wi-Fi varies greatly depending on the aircraft type and route. As the airline updates its fleet, connectivity is improving, but it is rarely free for all passengers. Check your booking details before departure.
You must install your eSIM before you travel while you still have a stable Wi-Fi connection at home. Installing it at the airport or upon arrival can be difficult if public Wi-Fi is slow or unavailable.
The most common reason is that data roaming is disabled. You must ensure that data roaming is switched ON specifically for your JamboSim profile in your device settings for the connection to activate properly.
No, JamboSim is a completely independent travel data provider. We offer affordable roaming alternatives for international travellers, but we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the airline in any way.
In New Delhi, international flights typically operate out of Terminal 3. In Mumbai, the airline largely uses Terminal 2 for international departures. Terminals can change, so always verify your specific gate on your boarding pass.
JamboSim is an independent eSIM provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Air India. Airline names and codes are used for identification only.