Air India may launch a non-stop service to the United States in early 2007, when the national carrier takes delivery of its first 3 B777-200LR aircraft from Boeing Company.

"The service is likely to start by February 2007. Air India is exploring the option of starting non-stop service from New Delhi or Mumbai to New York or Chicago," a source said.

Air India is acquiring 8 777-200LR Worldliners as part of its proposed acquisition of 68 aircraft from Boeing for an estimated $8.1 billion.

The planes are scheduled for delivery beginning November 2006. Currently, Air India is operating 28 flights a week to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Newyark connecting via European destinations including London, Frankfurt and Paris.

"The proposed non-stop flights from India to the US will do away with the UK visa requirements for US passengers, though they are not stopping in London. Passengers will prefer non-stop flights," an industry analyst said.

The non-stop service India-US is seeing over 80 per cent load factor and will be a boon to Air India, they observed.

Currently, Continental Airlines and American Airlines are operating seven flights a week each with 777-200 ER aircraft.

The world's largest airline firm American Airlines is operating its daily transatlantic flight non-stop between New Delhi and Chicago, while Continental Airlines is operating daily non-stop between New Delhi and New York.

Sources in Air India said the airline is in the process of finalising the route details, however, it would continue with existing stop-over services.

The deployment of 777-200LR would offer Air India operational cost savings and the flexibility to serve new, ultra long range non-stop routes.

Air India's order of 68 aircraft comprise 23 777s including 8 777-200LR Worldliners and 15 777-300ERs and 27 787-8 Dreamliners. Air India Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, will receive 18 next generation 737-800s.

Air India operates a fleet of 11 747-400s, 2 747-400 Combis, 2 747-200s 2 747-300 Combis, 3 777-200ERs and 21 Airbus 310-300s.