Aviation
Why Air India Halted San Francisco Flights: What Options Do Passengers Have Now?
With Air India ending non-stop flights from Bengaluru to San Francisco, passengers must now choose between Delhi connections or European hubs while the airline restructures its long-haul network.
As recently, Air India has suspended one of its most popular US routes—non-stop flights to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai. The decision has surprised and confused many passengers, especially those who booked tickets months in advance for travel beyond February.
With direct services no longer available, travellers are now trying to understand what alternatives they have and how their journeys will change.
Air India has withdrawn direct San Francisco services from Bengaluru and Mumbai. These routes were particularly popular among IT professionals, students, and business travellers due to their convenience and time savings.
What is Air India offering instead?
While suspending these routes, as per reports the air india is increasing flights between Delhi and San Francisco from seven to ten services per week. Passengers from Bengaluru and Mumbai are being rerouted via Delhi. Bengaluru passengers: One-stop flights via Delhi and Mumbai passengers: Connections through Delhi instead of a direct service.
Changes in immigration and travel experience
Earlier, passengers flying from Bengaluru completed immigration at their departure airport. From March 2026 onwards, this will change. On the return journey, flights will have a technical stop at Vienna, followed by Delhi.
Passengers must complete immigration and customs in Delhi before continuing to Bengaluru. This adds extra time and reduces the convenience of what was once a near non-stop journey.
Why were these flights suspended?
The main reason is a shortage of suitable long-range aircraft. The Bengaluru–San Francisco route is among the longest in the world, requiring Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Several of these planes have exited air india plane fleet after lease agreements ended, limiting the airline’s ability to operate ultra-long-haul routes efficiently.
The closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian airlines has further complicated operations, forcing additional fuel stops and increasing costs.
What’s next for Air India?
Despite these suspensions, Air India says it remains focused on long-term improvement. Under Tata Group ownership, the airline is:
- Inducting new aircraft
- Upgrading cabins and onboard services
- Planning for 81% of international flights to operate with upgraded aircraft by end-2026
Conclusion
For now, passengers flying from Bengaluru and Mumbai to San Francisco will need to rely on connecting flights, either via Delhi or through Europe. While the loss of non-stop services is disappointing, travellers still have multiple alternatives as air india flights works through fleet and operational challenges.
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