Air India launches fourth non-stop US route – Delhi to San Francisco

Air India has launched its fourth non-stop US route with the introduction of a new thrice-weekly (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) service between Delhi (DEL) and San Francisco (SFO). It is the first Indian Carrier to directly connect the US’ West Coast, reducing the arduous travel time by nearly six hours. The Star Alliance carrier already serves Chicago O’Hare, New York Newark and New York JFK.

The 12,376-kilometer route will be operated by the airline’s 238-seat 777-200LR’s and will not face any direct competition. OAG (Air Travel Intelligence) lists the outbound flight with a scheduled flying time of 16 hours and 55 minutes.

Flights depart India at 0235 hours arriving in California at 0600 hours. The return flight leaves San Francisco at 1000 hours and gets back to Delhi at 1620 hours the following day.

The flight offers a three-cabin configuration, with eight seats in First class, 35 seats in Business class and 195 seats in Economy class.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, said: “By creating the first-ever non-stop service between San Francisco and Delhi, Air India has united two great cultural and economic centers of the world. As the only non-stop flight between India and the West Coast of the US, I fully expect this new service to be a success.”