Yes, there is a Birmingham to Amritsar direct flight. Air India flies non-stop from Birmingham Airport to Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. Flights usually run three to four times a week, on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Each flight leaves Birmingham in the evening and arrives in Amritsar around midday the next day, local time, after roughly ten hours in the air.
For many families across the Midlands, this is the most convenient way to reach Punjab, with no change of plane and no drive to Heathrow. This guide covers the current schedule, flight times, check-in and baggage tips, and visas. It also explains how to plan the journey to and from Birmingham Airport, especially on the evening of departure and when you arrive home.
Birmingham to Amritsar direct flight at a glance
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline | Air India |
| Outbound flight number | AI118, Birmingham to Amritsar |
| Return flight number | AI117, Amritsar to Birmingham |
| Frequency | Usually three to four flights a week |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner |
| Departure from Birmingham | Evening, typically between 8pm and 9pm |
| Flight time to Amritsar | Roughly 10 hours |
| Return arrival in Birmingham | Early evening, around 7pm |
Schedules come from airline timetable data and can change by season. Always check the current days and times on Air India’s website before you book.
Birmingham to Amritsar direct flight schedule
Outbound: Birmingham to Amritsar
Air India’s AI118 leaves Birmingham in the evening, usually between around 8pm and 9pm, and arrives in Amritsar around midday the following day, local time. The flight takes roughly ten hours. Departure days vary by season, so check which days the flight operates in the month you plan to travel.
Return: Amritsar to Birmingham
The return flight, AI117, leaves Amritsar around 1pm local time and lands in Birmingham in the early evening, around 7pm UK time. For winter 2026/27, timetable data shows the return flight on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Its scheduled flying time is around 11 hours and 25 minutes.
Why flight times can vary
Winds make the flight longer in one direction than the other, and seasonal schedules shift slightly between summer and winter. Airspace restrictions in the region have also lengthened some flights between the UK and India. Check the current flight time on your booking rather than relying on older guides.
Why fly direct from Birmingham?
No connection to worry about
A direct flight means no change of plane in the Gulf or Delhi, and no risk of missing a connection. That matters most for elderly relatives, families with young children and anyone carrying heavy bags.
No trip to Heathrow
Before direct flights were available, many Midlands travellers drove to Heathrow or connected through Delhi. Flying from Birmingham saves a long drive down the M40 and M25. For most families in Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry, the airport is also close to home.
When a connection might suit you better
Some travellers still connect through Delhi or a Gulf hub, for example if the direct flight doesn’t run on their preferred day. Air India also flies direct from Birmingham to Delhi, which can work if you’re continuing elsewhere in India.
Booking tips for the Birmingham to Amritsar route
Book early for peak dates
Demand on this route is high during school holidays and the wedding season, at Vaisakhi in April, and over Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas in the autumn. With only a few flights a week, seats on popular dates sell out and fares rise. Book as early as you can.
Comparing fares
Fares on this route vary widely by season, day of the week and how early you book. Flight comparison sites and Air India’s own website often show different prices for the same date, so compare both before you pay. Remember to factor in extra baggage if you’re taking gifts, as that can change which fare works out cheapest.
Check your baggage allowance
Trips to Punjab often involve heavy luggage, especially gifts on the way out. Baggage allowances depend on your fare type and cabin, so check yours on your Air India booking before you pack. Weigh your bags at home to avoid excess baggage charges at the airport.
Hand luggage rules
On the way out, your cabin bag must follow UK hand luggage and liquids rules. Our guide to UK hand luggage size and weight rules explains the limits.
Visas and travel documents
Indian visa or OCI card
British passport holders need a valid visa to enter India, unless they hold an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. Many travellers apply for an e-Visa online through the Indian government’s official e-Visa website. Apply well before your flight, as the site sets a minimum time between applying and arriving in India.
Passport validity
Make sure your passport is valid for the whole trip and has enough blank pages. Requirements can change, so check the current entry rules before you book.
Travelling with children
Children need their own passports, plus visas or OCI cards. If a child is travelling with only one parent, or with relatives, carry a consent letter and supporting documents in case officials ask for them.
Travelling with elderly relatives
Before the flight
Many families on the Birmingham to Amritsar direct flight travel with parents or grandparents. Pack any regular medication in hand luggage, along with a copy of the prescription, so it’s always within reach. An aisle seat can also make a ten-hour flight more comfortable, as it’s easier to get up and move around.
Meals and seating requests
Air India lets passengers request special meals and seating preferences when they book or through their reservation. If anyone in your group has dietary needs, such as vegetarian meals, make the request well before you fly rather than at the airport.
On arrival
After a long flight, older travellers often appreciate help with luggage and a short walk to the car. With meet-and-greet, someone is waiting in arrivals, ready to help.
Check-in at Birmingham Airport
When to arrive
For a long-haul flight like AI118, aim to arrive at Birmingham Airport around three hours before departure. That gives you time to check in heavy bags, clear security and reach the gate. Our guide to how early to arrive at Birmingham Airport explains the timings in more detail.
Online check-in
Air India offers online check-in for many flights, which can save time at the airport. However, you’ll still need to drop off hold luggage at the check-in desk, so allow enough time even if you’ve checked in online. Birmingham Airport has a single terminal, so all Air India departures leave from the same building.
Lounges before an evening flight
With an evening departure, you may want somewhere quieter to eat and wait. Our Birmingham Airport lounges guide covers the options and prices.
Special assistance
If anyone in your family needs a wheelchair or help getting through the airport, book special assistance through Air India in advance. Our guide to Birmingham Airport special assistance explains how the service works.
Getting to Birmingham Airport for your Amritsar flight
Planning around an evening departure
With departures in the evening, many families leave home in the late afternoon. That can mean travelling through the end of the rush hour on the M6, M42 or A45. Allow extra time, especially on Fridays.
Space for family and luggage
A trip to Punjab often means several large suitcases, sometimes for several family members. For families and groups of up to seven, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class has room for passengers and luggage. Tell us how many cases you’re bringing when you book.
Parking or a transfer?
A long stay in India can mean several weeks of airport parking. Our comparison of Birmingham Airport parking vs a chauffeur shows how the costs compare for longer trips.
If you’d like a fixed price for your journey to the airport, you can get a quote online for the outbound trip, the return or both.
Coming home from Amritsar
Arrival time and flight tracking
The return flight usually lands in Birmingham in the early evening. Flights from India can be delayed, so your pickup should follow the actual landing time rather than the scheduled one. Our Birmingham Airport transfers include flight monitoring, so your chauffeur adjusts to any change.
Meeting your driver
With meet and greet at Birmingham Airport, your chauffeur waits for you in arrivals, ready to help with luggage. After a long flight, that’s especially helpful for elderly relatives.
Delays to your return flight
For longer delays, our guide to what happens when your flight is delayed and your chauffeur is booked explains how pickups are adjusted.
If your bags don’t arrive
Report delayed or damaged luggage at the Air India baggage desk before you leave the arrivals hall, and keep your reference number. Our guide to lost or delayed baggage compensation explains your rights and the deadlines that apply.
Arriving in Amritsar
The airport
Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is on the north-west side of Amritsar, a short drive from the city centre and the Golden Temple. If family are collecting you, share your flight number so they can track the arrival time. Otherwise, taxis are available at the airport.
Winter fog in Punjab
From December to January, dense fog can affect flights in northern India, especially in the early morning. Delays at Amritsar can also have a knock-on effect on the return flight to Birmingham. If you’re travelling in winter, keep an eye on Air India’s updates on the day you fly home.
Planning your return
The return flight leaves Amritsar around lunchtime, so allow plenty of time to reach the airport and check in. Plan your journey to the airport with Amritsar’s traffic in mind, especially around festivals and at weekends.
Delays, cancellations and compensation
Flights from Birmingham
UK261 rules cover flights departing from UK airports, whichever airline operates them. That means Air India’s flight from Birmingham to Amritsar is covered if it’s significantly delayed or cancelled. Our guide to UK261 flight compensation rules explains what you can claim.
Flights back to Birmingham
For flights into the UK, UK261 applies only when the airline is a UK or EU carrier. As Air India is neither, its flight from Amritsar to Birmingham isn’t covered by UK261. Check Air India’s own policy and your travel insurance for that leg.
Travel around Christmas and New Year
Many families visit Punjab over Christmas and New Year. Between 24 and 28 December 2026, no trains will run to, from or through Birmingham New Street, which affects anyone planning to reach Birmingham Airport by train. Our guide to the Birmingham New Street Christmas closure explains the alternatives.
Pickups across the West Midlands
We collect from homes across the region, including Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Our services include a chauffeur service in Smethwick, a chauffeur service in Wolverhampton and a chauffeur service in Coventry.
Book your Birmingham Airport transfer
For your Birmingham to Amritsar direct flight, National Executive Transfers provides fixed-price chauffeur transfers to and from Birmingham Airport, in Mercedes-Benz E-Class, S-Class and V-Class vehicles. Flight monitoring comes as standard, and meet-and-greet is available on your return. Tell us your flight, passenger numbers and luggage, and we’ll plan the journey for you. Get a quote and book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Air India flies non-stop from Birmingham to Amritsar, usually three to four times a week, on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Roughly ten hours. The return flight from Amritsar to Birmingham is usually a little longer, at around 11 hours in winter.
Air India’s AI118 usually leaves Birmingham in the evening, between around 8pm and 9pm, and arrives in Amritsar around midday the next day, local time.
Operating days vary by season. Check the current timetable on Air India’s website for the month you plan to travel.
British passport holders need an Indian visa, such as an e-Visa, unless they hold an OCI card. Check the current requirements before you travel.
Aim to arrive around three hours before departure, so there’s time for check-in, bag drop and security on a long-haul flight.
