Air India Halts Bengaluru-San Francisco Non-Stop Flights: A Market Handed to Rivals?

The direct air link between India's 'Silicon Valley' and the original US technology hub is ending. Air India will suspend its Bengaluru (BLR) – San Francisco (SFO) non-stop services after February 27, 2026. The airline will also cut its Mumbai (BOM) – San Francisco flights. This strategic shift is effective from March 1, 2026. The decision reflects growing operational challenges for Air India's India US long-haul routes.

Operational Challenges Force Suspension

Air India cited two main factors for the route suspension. The first is persistent international airspace restrictions. The continued closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian operators forces longer routes. This adds time and cost, removing the non-stop benefit. The second factor is a shrinking wide-body fleet.

The airline is phasing out its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Five leased B777-200LR planes are being returned to Delta Air Lines by March 2026. The lessor decided to sell these aircraft to another party. This ends Air India's plan to extend the leases. The B777-200LR was the aircraft of choice for this ultra-long-haul flight.

Impact on the Bengaluru-San Francisco Route

The Bengaluru-San Francisco route connected two major global technology hubs. It was a popular choice for IT professionals and VFR traffic (Visiting Friends and Relatives). The route allowed passengers to avoid transfers at European hubs. Air India carried over 63,000 passengers on this route in the 12 months ending September 2025. Total traffic between the two cities reached 156,000 round-trip passengers in the year to October 2025.

Air India is consolidating its US West Coast presence at Delhi. The airline will increase Delhi (DEL) – San Francisco (SFO) flights. Service will rise from seven to ten weekly flights starting in March 2026. Passengers from Bengaluru will be offered a connection via Delhi.

However, the new routing is less convenient. The return journey will now involve a technical halt, likely in Vienna, before reaching Delhi. Passengers must complete immigration and customs in Delhi before connecting to Bengaluru.

Passenger Options and Market Opportunity

Passengers booked on the suspended flights will be rebooked or offered a full refund. The loss of non-stop services suspended from Bengaluru creates a significant void. This opens up opportunities for competing carriers.

• European Carriers: Airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, and KLM offer one-stop flight options. They connect Bengaluru and San Francisco through their European hubs.
• Middle Eastern Hubs: Emirates and Qatar Airways are also strong competitors. Many travelers prefer their hubs for transfers over European ones.

The Shadow of Airspace Restrictions

The current situation highlights the impact of the Russian airspace closure impact. US carriers like United Airlines and American Airlines cannot use Russian airspace. This has made their India-US flights longer and less viable. Air India, which was unaffected, initially gained a market advantage. However, the combination of the B777-200LR aircraft shortage and Pakistani airspace issues has now eroded this benefit.

If the Russian-Ukraine conflict ends, United could restart its Bengaluru service. This would allow a US carrier to directly challenge Air India in the market it helped build. For now, the focus is on Air India's fleet strategy. The airline is awaiting new aircraft deliveries as part of its major Air India fleet expansion. Industry experts project that supply chain issues may delay full recovery until 2029 or 2030. This makes short-term route adjustments necessary for operational efficiency. For more commercial aviation news and updates on global routes, visit flying.flights.