{"id":126343,"date":"2025-12-21T20:53:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T15:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=126343"},"modified":"2025-12-21T20:53:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T15:23:34","slug":"air-india-to-suspend-two-flights-routes-to-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/21\/air-india-to-suspend-two-flights-routes-to-san-francisco\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India to Suspend Two Flights Routes to This Big US City"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MUMBAI-<\/strong> Tata Group-owned Air India (AI)<\/a> has confirmed the suspension of its ultra-long-haul flights to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai starting February, citing persistent airspace restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline will retain San Francisco service only from Delhi while increasing frequency, reinforcing Delhi as its primary long-haul hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ian Abbott | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Suspends Two Routes to San Francisco<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India will end Bengaluru San Francisco and Mumbai San Francisco operations as continued bans on Russian and Pakistani airspace make nonstop flights operationally inefficient. These restrictions have forced technical stops, longer block times, and higher costs, weakening route viability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these exits, Air India will rely solely on Delhi San Francisco services. The shift reflects a hub consolidation strategy rather than a withdrawal from the US West Coast market, Simple Flying<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India’s Longest Route Set to End<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Bengaluru-San Francisco service connected two major global technology hubs. Operated initially by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, the route covered approximately 7,561 nautical miles each way, making it one of the longest in Air India\u2019s network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launched in 2021 during the pandemic, the route faced early demand challenges and was suspended in 2022 before restarting later that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong premium demand later emerged, with booking data showing 156,000 round-trip passengers in the year to October 2025. Despite this, three-quarters of travelers chose competing airlines, limiting Air India\u2019s market share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operational changes after early 2025 forced flights to stop for refueling, first in Kolkata and later via Delhi or Vienna, depending on direction. The final Bengaluru San Francisco flight is scheduled for February 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Top 10 Longest Non-stop Flights of India in 2024<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Bill Larkins – UnitedoverAirIndia Jan12016, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=47618295<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mumbai-San Francisco Flights Also Ending<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Air India launched Mumbai San Francisco nonstop service in December 2022, initially operating mainly four times weekly. The route was among the airline\u2019s most ambitious long-haul offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoidance of restricted airspace significantly increased return journey times, stretching block times to nearly 20 hours. Aircraft rotations became inconsistent, with refueling stops in Kolkata or Vienna and a shift to Boeing 777-300ER aircraft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These operational burdens ultimately led to the route\u2019s cancellation, with the final flight scheduled for February 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delhi-San Francisco Capacity Ramps Up<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To offset the cuts, Air India will increase Delhi-San Francisco services from daily to ten weekly flights starting in early March. This restores capacity last seen in mid 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outbound flights will continue nonstop, while return services will include a technical stop in Kolkata. On select days, two daily flights will operate, with return block times reaching up to 20 hours and 45 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delhi\u2019s central role allows Air India to funnel connecting traffic from Bengaluru and Mumbai while maintaining a presence in California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Cado Handerson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Options Available for Travelers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Airlines Operating Nonstop Flights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Air India (AI)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n