Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India’s aviation sector. The airline's history is, in fact, synonymous with the history of civil aviation in India. 

Since its first flight on October 15, 1932, Air India has spread its wings to become a major international airline with a network across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Persian Gulf.

The airline also has an extensive domestic network, including India’s northeast, Ladakh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Air India has been a member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium, since July 2014. 

Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, is India's first international budget carrier, Air India Express was launched in 2005 to meet the demand for affordable services on short and medium-haul routes connecting smaller towns in India directly to the Gulf and southeast Asian regions.

Air India, along with Air India Express, plays a pivotal role in serving the nation in times of crisis. In various epic missions, Air India and Air India Express flights evacuated stranded people from all over the world in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak through the Government of India's Vande Bharat Mission and Air Transport Bubble flights.