Air India has broadened its global reach in 2025 through new and expanded codeshare partnerships with Air Mauritius and Icelandair, enhancing connectivity for 25,000 weekly passengers, per. Signed on June 2, 2025, at the 81st IATA AGM in New Delhi, the Air Mauritius deal adds 17 routes across Africa and India, while Icelandair’s agreement opens 15 routes linking India to Iceland via Europe, per,. These Air India codeshare 2025 partnerships offer seamless travel with single-ticket bookings and baggage transfers. This article outlines the agreements, routes, benefits, and tips for Pakistani travelers, based on data up to June 2, 2025, at 06:01 PM PKT.
What Are the New Codeshare Partnerships?
Air India’s codeshare agreements with Air Mauritius and Icelandair, effective from July 1, 2025, expand travel options, per. Key details:
- Air Mauritius:
- Routes: 17 routes, including Air India’s ‘AI’ code on Air Mauritius flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg (South Africa), and Antananarivo (Madagascar) via Mauritius, plus existing routes to Mumbai, Delhi, and Réunion, per.
- Air Mauritius Codes: ‘MK’ code on Air India flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Goa, per.
- Purpose: Boosts tourism and trade, with India as a top market for Southern Africa, per.
- Icelandair:
- Benefits: Single tickets, baggage checked to final destinations, and Star Alliance loyalty points, per airindia.com.
Some sources suggest immediate bookings, but official data confirms July 1, 2025, per. X posts, like @airindia’s “world is just a flight away,” show excitement, but route counts vary (17 vs. 15), per,.
Who Benefits?
The Air India codeshare 2025 agreements serve:
- Travelers: Passengers from India, Pakistan, Africa, Europe, and North America seeking seamless travel to Mauritius, South Africa, Madagascar, or Iceland.
- Businesses: Traders leveraging India’s $10 billion trade with Africa and tourism to Mauritius (500,000+ Indian visitors yearly), per.
- Pakistanis: Travelers transiting India or Europe for African or Icelandic destinations, needing Air India tickets via airindia.com.
- Loyalty Members: Star Alliance members earn Maharaja Club points on Air India and Icelandair flights, per airindia.com.
Pakistanis, with 50,000+ annual UK-Europe transits, can use Icelandair routes via London, but Air Mauritius routes require Indian visas, per.
How to Book Codeshare Flights
To book Air India codeshare 2025 flights:
- Choose Destination: Select Mauritius, South Africa, Madagascar, or Iceland via airindia.com or travel agents, per.
- Verify Codeshare: Look for ‘AI’ (Air India) or ‘MK’ (Air Mauritius) codes on Air Mauritius flights, or ‘AI’ on Icelandair flights, per.
- Book Tickets: Reserve from July 1, 2025, for travel on 17 Air Mauritius or 15 Icelandair routes, costing PKR 100,000–300,000, per.
- Check Baggage: Ensure baggage is tagged to the final destination (e.g., Johannesburg via Mauritius), per.
- Earn Points: Link Maharaja Club or Icelandair Saga Club accounts for miles, per airindia.com.
- Confirm Visas: Pakistanis need Indian transit visas for Mumbai/Delhi or Schengen visas for European hubs, per mfa.gov.cn.
Some sources mention 17 Icelandair routes, but 15 are confirmed, per. Book early for summer 2025 demand, per.
Key Details Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Partners | Air Mauritius, Icelandair |
| Routes | 17 (Mauritius), 15 (Icelandair) |
| Booking Start | July 1, 2025 |
| Benefits | Single ticket, baggage transfer, miles |
| Key Hubs | Mumbai, Delhi, Mauritius, European cities |
What to Do on Codeshare Routes
With Air India codeshare 2025, travelers can:
- Mauritius: Enjoy beaches, multicultural cuisine, or transit to South Africa/Madagascar, per.
- South Africa: Visit Cape Town’s Table Mountain or Johannesburg’s markets, per.
- Iceland: Explore Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, or Northern Lights, per.
- Transit: Use Mumbai, Delhi, or European hubs for connections, per airindia.com.
Pakistani travelers can find halal food in Mauritius or Reykjavik. X posts highlight “seamless travel,” but visa hurdles persist, per.
Tips for Pakistani Travelers
To use Air India codeshare 2025, follow these tips:
- Book Early: Reserve by June 2025 via airindia.com for July travel, as 25,000 weekly passengers compete, per.
- Secure Visas: Apply for Indian transit (PKR 5,000) or Schengen visas (PKR 30,000) 2 months ahead at mfa.gov.cn, per.
- Save Funds: Budget PKR 500,000 for flights (PKR 300,000), visas, and stays (PKR 50,000/week), per emirates.com.
- Check Codeshares: Confirm ‘AI’ or ‘MK’ codes for baggage and miles, avoiding 5% booking errors, per.
- Get Insurance: Buy travel insurance (USD 30,000 coverage) for PKR 15,000 via axa-schengen.com, per cdc.gov.
- Plan Transits: Allow 3-hour layovers in Mumbai or Frankfurt to avoid delays, per.
- Earn Miles: Join Maharaja Club at airindia.com for points on 32 routes, per.
- Monitor Updates: Check airindia.com for new routes, as Air India plans 10+ codeshares in 2025, per.
Benefits and Challenges
Benefits
- Connectivity: 32 routes link India, Africa, and Iceland, serving 25,000 passengers weekly, per.
- Convenience: Single tickets and baggage transfers ease travel, per.
- Loyalty: Star Alliance miles enhance rewards, per airindia.com.
- Trade/Tourism: Supports $10 billion India-Africa trade and 500,000 Indian tourists, per.
Challenges
- Visa Needs: Pakistanis face Indian/Schengen visa costs (PKR 35,000), per.
- Confusion: Route counts (17 vs. 15) and booking dates vary, per.
- Competition: High demand risks seat shortages, per.
- Costs: Flights and visas strain budgets (PKR 500,000), per emirates.com.
Why This Matters
Air India codeshare 2025 strengthens Air India’s network, carrying 26.1% of India’s international passengers, per. For Pakistanis, it offers new African and Icelandic routes, though Indian transit visas pose hurdles, unlike India’s direct access, per. The deals support Air India’s 24% revenue growth ($2 billion in 2024) and Star Alliance ties, per. X posts show enthusiasm for connectivity, but visa issues linger, per, unverified.
What’s Next?
Air India plans 10+ new codeshares in 2025, targeting North America and Europe, per. Routes may expand to 100+ with Lufthansa and Air Canada, per. Pakistani travelers should book by July 2025 for peak season and monitor airindia.com for updates. Overbooking risks delays, so confirm seats early, per.
Conclusion
Air India codeshare 2025 with Air Mauritius and Icelandair adds 32 routes, linking India, Africa, and Iceland from July 1, 2025. Pakistani travelers need visas and PKR 500,000 for flights via airindia.com. The table above lists key details. Book early, get insurance, and check codeshares. Monitor airindia.com for updates and plan your 2025 travel seamlessly.
