IT professionals and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travelers love the Bengaluru-San Francisco route because it makes it easy for elderly parents visiting relatives in the Bay Area to fly without having to transfer at major hubs in Europe, which is the alternative route to San Francisco.
At the end of February 2026, Air India will cease nonstop flights between Bengaluru and San Francisco, severing ties between the Silicon Valley of India and the global IT hub. American Airlines declared in February 2020 that it would begin operating flights from Seattle to Bengaluru in October of the same year. Nearly the whole world fell into lockdown in a matter of weeks. United Airlines said that it would begin operating its longest journey between San Francisco and Bengaluru in 2021 during the pandemic. As a result of the air bubble agreement, Air India, a government-owned airline at the time, began operating flights between the two IT hubs in January 2021.
A little under 1,50,000 people traveled between the two cities during the 12 months that ended in September (both directions counted). Currently, Air India operates flights on this route three times a week, with 344 seats available per flight in First (four), Business (35 seats), and Economy (305 seats). Nearly 14,000 passengers (two-way) were transported by Air India on this route during the July–September quarter, and over 63,000 passengers, or almost 43% of the total traffic, during the 12 months ending in September 2025. The remaining passengers chose one-stop choices.
Why did Air India halt flights from Bengaluru to San Francisco?
The shortage of aircraft lies at the core of the problem. The B777-200LR was the preferred aircraft when the Bengaluru-San Francisco route began, making it one of the longest routes in the world. Five additional former Delta Air Lines B777-200LRs were added to Air India's fleet of three heritage B777-200LRs. Two former Delta aircraft and all heritage aircraft remain in the fleet. The airline was unable to prolong the leases. Passengers preferred the former Delta aircraft over the vintage Air India B777s because of their superior cabins and overall experience. Following April 2025,
IT professionals and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travelers love the Bengaluru-San Francisco route because it makes it easy for elderly parents visiting relatives in the Bay Area to fly without having to transfer at major hubs in Europe, which is the alternative route to San Francisco.
What are the current alternatives available to passengers?
Air India is extending service from Delhi to ten times per week from the existing seven, but it is discontinuing flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai. A two-way connection via Delhi is available to passengers departing from Bengaluru. But after March 2026, the immigration process will be finished in Bengaluru, even though the existing operation is halted in Delhi. Passengers from Bengaluru will take a one-stop flight via Delhi on their way out.
European airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, who operate flights to Bengaluru and San Francisco with connections at their hubs in Europe, now have more options. This also benefits Emirates and Qatar Airways, which many travelers believe are superior hubs for transfers compared to European ones. With flights from Munich, Lufthansa has increased capacity to Bengaluru following the outbreak.
Air India will celebrate four years under the Tata group next month, but its expansion does not appear to have gone as planned, in part because to supply chain problems that are causing delivery delays. However, it will be time for the airline to reflect.
Note on the tail
The airspace closure has been prolonged by Pakistan for one month at a time. One wonders when it will be accessible. Will Indian carriers need to engage in anything akin to Project Sunrise, which Qantas had undertaken to ensure it could fly nonstop from Sydney and Melbourne to places in Europe and the UK, given the strength of Air India's expansion plan? Passengers should be able to afford the price, which is subsequently transferred to the final customer.
0 Comments