India's first commercial airline, Tata Airlines, was founded by business tycoon and former Tata Group Chairman JRD Tata in 1932. The company later went public and was renamed as Air India, country's national airline, in 1946.

The oldest airline in India is Air India, which traces its origins back to October 15, 1932, when it was founded by J.R.D. Tata as Tata Airlines. It initially operated as a mail service between Karachi and Bombay using a Puss Moth aircraft. Following World War II, it was rebranded as Air India in 1946 and later nationalized in 1953. In a historic "full circle" moment, the airline was officially handed back to the Tata Group in early 2022. As of 2026, Air India is undergoing a massive multi-year transformation, merging with Vistara to consolidate its position as a global premium carrier. While several private airlines have emerged and disappeared over the decades, Air India remains the continuous legacy carrier of the nation, celebrating nearly 94 years of aviation history. It is often referred to as the "Maharaja" of the skies, symbolizing the golden age of Indian civil aviation and the enduring legacy of the Tata family's contribution to the industry.