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Connecting Hub Guide

Connecting through Delhi (DEL)

Premium-cabin connecting guide for Indira Gandhi International Airport, the dominant hub for Air India and IndiGo. Minimum connection times, transit-without-visa rules, lounge access, and operational notes that materially affect a connecting itinerary.

Last updated · Reviewed by Editorial Team

DEL is Air India's primary hub and the largest South Asian connecting point. Premium-cabin connections are dominated by Air India's post-2022 Tata-led network expansion — substantial new long-haul frequencies into the US, UK, and Australia. The 90-minute MCT reflects the size of T3 and the typical wait at international flights. The visa gotcha (single-ticket TWOV vs separate-ticket visa requirement) is the principal booking constraint for non-Indian passport holders.

At a glance

Indira Gandhi International Airport key facts

IATA / cityDEL · Delhi, India
Dominant carriersAir India, IndiGo
MCT (intl → intl)90-120 minutes
TWOV / visaMost Western nationalities require an Indian e-Visa or standard tourist visa for entry. Transit-without-visa is available for transit passengers staying airside under 24 hours and connecting on the same ticket — a meaningful gotcha for travelers booking separate tickets.
TWOV max stay24-hour airside transit (single ticket); 30-day tourist e-Visa for most nationalities
Airside-only?No — entering the country is permitted
Last verified2026-05-07

Minimum connection times

What you actually need to know

International to international

90-120 minutes

The most common premium-cabin case — connecting between two long-haul flights. Plan for the upper end of this range when arriving on a wide-body with full deplaning.

Terminal change penalty

DEL has 3 active terminals (T1, T2, T3). Air India operates from T3 (the dedicated international terminal); IndiGo operates from T1 / T2 with international shifts to T3 for long-haul. Inter-terminal transfers add 20-30 minutes via the inter-terminal shuttle.

Transit without visa

Entry rules for connecting passengers

TWOV summary

Most Western nationalities require an Indian e-Visa or standard tourist visa for entry. Transit-without-visa is available for transit passengers staying airside under 24 hours and connecting on the same ticket — a meaningful gotcha for travelers booking separate tickets.

Max stay
24-hour airside transit (single ticket); 30-day tourist e-Visa for most nationalities
Airside only?
No — entering the country during the layover is permitted

For passport-specific entry requirements at India (visa, ETA, eTA, ESTA equivalents), see our travel requirements hub. The TWOV summary above covers the general case for transit; per-passport rules vary.

Lounges

Premium-cabin lounge access at DEL

Lounge summary

Air India Maharajah Lounge (T3, recently renovated under the Tata Group ownership); Star Alliance partner lounges in T3; Plaza Premium lounges across all terminals.

Air India's Maharajah Lounge underwent a 2024 renovation as part of the broader Tata-led brand refresh. The product is improving but still a generation behind the Gulf carrier benchmarks. The lounge is co-located with the dedicated Air India check-in zone and immigration.

Lounges at this airport in our catalog

Connecting through it

Operational notes worth knowing

DEL is Air India's primary hub and the largest South Asian connecting point. Premium-cabin connections are dominated by Air India's post-2022 Tata-led network expansion — substantial new long-haul frequencies into the US, UK, and Australia. The 90-minute MCT reflects the size of T3 and the typical wait at international flights. The visa gotcha (single-ticket TWOV vs separate-ticket visa requirement) is the principal booking constraint for non-Indian passport holders.

Methodology

Sources and verification

MCT figures are the published minimum connection times from the airport authority\'s connecting-flights guide. They are best-effort and may differ from the airline-confirmed MCT for a specific itinerary, particularly when terminal changes or border-control clearance are involved. Always confirm with the operating carrier when booking close to the published minimum.

TWOV summaries reflect the general entry rules for the country at this airport. Per- passport rules vary; for specific passport-country combinations, see our travel requirements hub.

Drill deeper

Connected pages

All connecting hubsDEL airport factsDEL loungesAirfare & traffic dashboardCodeshare/JV mapTravel requirements

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum connection time at Indira Gandhi International Airport?
Internationally to internationally: 90-120 minutes. DEL has 3 active terminals (T1, T2, T3). Air India operates from T3 (the dedicated international terminal); IndiGo operates from T1 / T2 with international shifts to T3 for long-haul. Inter-terminal transfers add 20-30 minutes via the inter-terminal shuttle.
Do I need a visa to connect through Delhi?
Most Western nationalities require an Indian e-Visa or standard tourist visa for entry. Transit-without-visa is available for transit passengers staying airside under 24 hours and connecting on the same ticket — a meaningful gotcha for travelers booking separate tickets.
Which carrier dominates Indira Gandhi International Airport?
Air India and IndiGo are the dominant carriers at Indira Gandhi International Airport, operating most long-haul premium-cabin services into and out of the airport.
How are MCT figures verified?
Minimum connection times are best-effort published figures from the airport authority's connecting-flights guide. For a specific itinerary, the airline-confirmed MCT may differ — particularly when terminal changes or border-control clearance are involved. Always confirm with the operating carrier when booking close to the published MCT minimum.
Where else can I read about Delhi as a destination?
For destination guides on flying into Delhi, see our city pages. For the airport itself (lounges, ground services, runway operations), the airport authority's site is the canonical source — linked at the bottom of this page.

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