1,094 live award deals to New Delhi (DEL). Etihad Guest's low economy rates make India accessible via Abu Dhabi — with a free stopover in the UAE possible on many itineraries.
Etihad's low economy rates make Delhi one of the best-value award destinations in Asia — from 36,500 miles one-way via AUH. This routing also allows a free Abu Dhabi stopover on many itineraries. Transfer Amex or Capital One 1:1 to Etihad Guest.
Aeroplan books Air Canada and Star Alliance partners (including Air India as a Star member) to Delhi. Business class from 90,000 miles — check for Air Canada's direct YYZ-DEL route which offers excellent business class. Transfer Chase, Amex, or Capital One to Aeroplan.
American AAdvantage and Alaska Mileage Plan have partner award availability to Delhi through Qantas, British Airways, and other oneworld members. Good secondary options if Etihad or Aeroplan availability is limited.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India's busiest and most modern airport, located about 20 kilometers southwest of central New Delhi. Terminal 3 (T3) handles all international flights and is a significant upgrade from what most travelers expect — it's clean, modern, and reasonably well-organized. The Delhi Metro's Airport Express Line connects Terminal 3 to New Delhi station in about 20 minutes for under $1, making it one of the best airport rail connections in Asia.
Visa requirements matter: most nationalities need an Indian visa and can apply online for an e-Visa (eVisa), which is processed within 72 hours for most countries. Indian e-Visas are double-entry and valid for 30–180 days depending on your nationality. Apply at least a week before travel to have buffer time. The e-Visa supports tourism, business, and medical visits; it cannot be extended inside India.
The flight from the US East Coast to Delhi (via Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or London) takes approximately 18–21 hours total including a connection. This makes Delhi a longer-haul journey where business class or premium economy genuinely improves arrival experience. An Etihad business class award via Abu Dhabi lets you break the journey with an Abu Dhabi stopover, arriving rested on the second leg of just 4 hours.
Both Etihad (Abu Dhabi) and Emirates (Dubai) operate extensive hub networks between the US and India, and both programs offer stopover options that let you experience the UAE as part of the same award redemption. A stopover in Abu Dhabi adds the Louvre Abu Dhabi (the only Louvre satellite outside Paris), Qasr Al Watan palace, and world-class desert safari experiences. Dubai offers the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, and spectacular shopping.
Etihad Guest miles can be earned from American Express transfers (1:1 ratio), making this an accessible program for Amex cardholders. The Etihad Guest program allows "stopover on award" routing, meaning your Abu Dhabi-Delhi leg is part of the same award ticket — you don't pay additional miles to spend days in Abu Dhabi between legs. This is one of the best-value multi-destination award constructions available for South Asia travel.