Air India drops flights from Heathrow to New York – but adds Bangalore

One of the more obscure ways of getting from London to New York is on Air India.

The airline flies the route three times per week as a continuation of a flight from Ahmedabad to Heathrow, using ‘fifth freedom’ traffic rights.

You could redeem miles for this via any Star Alliance programme.

Air India’s Heathrow to New York service will end on 16th November.  The airline will use the landing slots to launch a new service to Bangalore, starting on 17th November.  The existing Delhi and Mumbai services from Heathrow will continue as usual.

Another little aviation oddity bites the dust.

The Air India website is here.

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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (September 2024)

None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.

There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card. 

The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.

There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.

The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

You can apply here.