• Admin
• August 20, 2025

Which countries do I fly over when I go from Delhi to Toronto?

Flying from Delhi to Toronto isn’t just about covering half the globe in one sitting. It’s also about the hidden geography you pass along the way. For most non-stop services, the flight lasts between 14 and 17 hours, crossing nearly 11,650 kilometres. That raises a natural question:

Which countries do I fly over when I go from Delhi to Toronto?

The answer depends on the day’s routing, but most flights follow a fairly consistent path across Asia, the Arctic, and into North America. 

Let’s break it down step by step.

Departure from Delhi

• Starting point: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
• Initial climb: The aircraft usually turns northwest.
• First sights: The patchwork fields of Punjab or the ridges of Jammu & Kashmir often appear before reaching international borders.

Crossing into Pakistan

• Delhi–Toronto flights almost always pass through Pakistan first.
• Common air corridors run near Lahore or Islamabad.
• The Indus River and its fertile basin are visible like a dark green ribbon winding through dusty plains.

Afghanistan or Central Asia

This section of the journey can change depending on restrictions or weather. From the window, it’s a dramatic sight — jagged mountains, high-altitude valleys, and wide barren stretches.

• Afghanistan: Some paths clip the rugged Hindu Kush mountains.
• Tajikistan/Uzbekistan: Airlines sometimes avoid Afghanistan entirely, swinging further north into Central Asia.

The Central Asian Steppe

Here the scale is vast, with landscapes that feel endless from cruising altitude. Flights don’t always cover all three, but at least one of them is usually part of the corridor.

• Turkmenistan – dry desert landscapes.
• Uzbekistan – broad plains with faint traces of ancient Silk Road cities.
• Kazakhstan – a massive sweep of steppe and forest; one of the largest airspaces on the route.

Russia: The Longest Segment

No matter which variation is chosen, Russian airspace almost always comes into play. It’s the country that makes the polar shortcut possible. This part alone can last several hours, given Russia’s sheer size.

• Western Siberia: Vast rivers, taiga forests, and remote towns.
• Eastern stretches: Depending on the track, the aircraft may pass Irkutsk or Novosibirsk.
• Arctic Russia: For shorter distances, the flight curves north, hugging the icy belt before heading towards the pole.

The Polar Crossing

Instead of the longer Atlantic route, most Delhi–Toronto flights take a polar arc.

• Over the Arctic Ocean: There are no country borders here, only international flight corridors.
• Navigation: Pilots rely on instruments rather than compasses, since magnetic fields near the pole distort readings.
• Passenger view: If daylight cooperates, the sight of endless white ice sheets can be unforgettable.

Greenland and Northern Canada

As the plane descends from the polar segment, the first landfalls are breathtaking.

• Greenland: Towering glaciers, deep fjords, and vast ice fields often appear below.
• Canadian Arctic: Entry into North America usually happens over Nunavut or the Northwest Territories. From the cabin window, it looks like a frozen wilderness with lakes and snowfields stretching endlessly.

Crossing Canada

Canada itself takes several hours to fly over before reaching Toronto.

• Northern Canada: Remote tundra and icy terrain.
• Hudson Bay or Quebec: Depending on the winds, the route may dip down over Hudson Bay or eastern Quebec.
• Southern Ontario: On the last leg of your travels, you will experience a change of scenery – from dense forests , to farmland, before entering into the sprawl of the Greater Toronto Area.

Alternative Routing

Although the polar path is common, there are occasions when flights shift further south.

• Via Turkey and Iran: Some flights dip lower into the Middle East.
• Eastern Europe: Routes may cut across Romania, Poland, or Ukraine.
• Iceland corridor: Another option takes the aircraft over Iceland before entering Canada.

These routes usually happen when airspace restrictions or weather patterns make the polar track less practical.

Why Routes Change

Several factors decide exactly which countries a Delhi–Toronto flight passes over:

1. The air traffic rules determine which airspaces can be crossed.
2. Some geopolitical situations force airlines to avoid specified areas.
3. Jet streams and wind patterns can determine routes, with tailwinds saving time and headwinds taking longer.
4. Fuel effectiveness means that airlines may have to fly the shortest path that is safe to save time and money.

Conclusion

Flying from Delhi to Toronto isn’t just about the destination. It’s a crossing that stitches together landscapes most travellers never set foot on. From India’s plains to Pakistan’s valleys, from Siberian forests to Greenland’s glaciers, and finally into the heart of Canada, the route feels like a world tour glimpsed from 35,000 feet.

If you’re planning the trip yourself, it’s worth keeping both the route and the airlines in mind. Surffares make it easy to compare and book the best Delhi to Toronto flights, whether you’re looking for non-stop convenience or affordable connecting options.

The surreal view is simply amazing. Every few hours, the landscape below shifts into something entirely different, until the city lights of Toronto appear on the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are there direct flights from Delhi to Toronto?
   Yes. Air India and Air Canada both operate daily non-stop services between Delhi (DEL) and Toronto (YYZ).
2. How long does a direct flight take from Delhi to Toronto?
   A nonstop flight from Delhi to Toronto usually takes 15 to 16 hours. However, detours around restricted airspace can make the journey longer.
3. What is the cheapest month to fly to Canada from India?
   The cheapest months are usually September or October. Sometimes June also has low fares.
4. Do I need a visa to fly from India to Canada?
   Yes. Indian passport holders need a Canadian visitor visa before travel. 
5. Do I need medical insurance to visit Canada?
   Yes. Healthcare in Canada is very expensive, so medical insurance is strongly advised and often mandatory for students and workers.