Air India has thrown travel plans into disarray for many passengers by announcing the discontinuation of its non-stop services to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai. The change, effective March 1, 2024, has sparked confusion and concern among flyers with existing bookings, particularly for journeys scheduled beyond February 28.
Schedule Rejig: Focus Shifts to Delhi Hub
An airline spokesperson explained the decision to The Times of India, stating it was part of changes to its North America schedule to better deploy capacity and manage rising costs linked to ongoing airspace restrictions. As a direct consequence of this restructuring, Air India will significantly ramp up its operations from its Delhi hub.
The carrier will increase the frequency of its Delhi–San Francisco route from seven to ten flights per week. Similarly, services on the Delhi–Toronto sector will also be enhanced to ten weekly flights. This strategic shift centralizes long-haul North America operations from the national capital.
Passenger Anxiety and Official Response
The sudden announcement has left travellers scrambling. A Bengaluru-based tech professional, Nakul Tirtha, voiced a common grievance, stating, "We booked months ago to avoid last-minute hassles — now, everything is uncertain." On social media platform X, passengers expressed their worries. One user questioned, "I have flights booked on BLR–SFO (with return) in May and DEL–SFO (with return) on May 26. What do I do?" Another worried about family travel planned for May.
In response, Air India has stated that all passengers affected by the withdrawal of the Bengaluru–San Francisco and Mumbai–San Francisco routes will be re-accommodated on alternative services or offered a full refund. An official mentioned that the airline would reach out to impacted individuals. The spokesperson added a note of future possibility, saying, "Air India will seek to reinstate non-stop service from Bengaluru and Mumbai, should airspace restrictions ease."
Tech and Business Travellers to Feel the Pinch
While the expanded Delhi services are expected to absorb some of the displaced demand, the move is likely to hit a specific demographic hard. The withdrawal of direct flight connectivity to San Francisco from India's tech and financial capitals is a significant blow to tech professionals and business travellers who heavily rely on convenient, non-stop links to the US West Coast.
The Bengaluru–San Francisco route, largely operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, was a vital corridor for the industry. The lack of direct options may now lead to longer travel times and increased inconvenience for this key passenger segment, forcing them to opt for connecting flights through Delhi or other hubs.
